TheHarvesteragainrangthebell。Anothermaidopenedthedoor，andoncemoreheaskedtospeakwiththeladyofthehouse。Asthegirlturned，ahandsomeoldwomanincapandmorninggowncamedownthestairs。

``Whathaveyouthere？’’sheasked。

TheHarvesterliftedtheleavesandexposedthemusky，crimpled，bigmushrooms。

``Oh！’’shecriedindelight。``Indeed，yes！Weareveryfondofthem。Iwilltakethebasket，anddividewithmysons。Youaresureyouhavenopoisonousonesamongthem？’’

``Quitesure，’’saidtheHarvesterfaintly。

``Howmuchdoyouwantforthebasket？’’

``Theyareadollaradozen；Ihaven’tcountedthem。’’

``Dearme！Isn’tthatratherexpensive？’’

``Itis。Very！’’saidtheHarvester。``Soexpensivethatmostpeopledon’tthinkoftakingoveradozen。

Theyarelargeandveryrich，sotheygoalongway。’’

``Isupposeyouhavetospendagreatdealoftimehuntingthem？Itdoesseemexpensive，buttheyarefresh，andtheboysaresofondofthem。I’mnotoftenextravagant，I’lljusttakethelot。Sarah，bringapan。’’

AgaintheHarvesterstoodandwatchedanentirebasketcountedoverandcarriedaway，andhefelttherobberhehadbeencalledashetookthemoney。

Atthenexthousehehadlearnedalesson。Hecarpetedabasketwithleavesandcountedoutadozenandahalfintoit，leavingtheremainderinthewagon。Threeblocksononesideofthestreetexhaustedhisstoreandhewasshoweredwithorders。Hehadnotseenanyonethatevenresembledadark-eyedgirl。Ashecamefromthelasthouseabig，redmotorshotpastandthensuddenlyslowedandbackedbesidehiswagon。

``Whatinthenameofsenseareyoudoing？’’demandedDoctorCarey。

``InvadingtheresidencedistrictofOnabasha，’’saidtheHarvester。``Madam，wouldyoulikesomenice，fresh，countrymushrooms？Iguaranteethattherearenopoisonousonesamongthem，andtheyweregatheredthismorning。Consideringtheirrarityandthedifficultworkofcollecting，theyareexceedinglylowatmyprice。

Iamofferingtheseforfivedollarsadozen，madam，andformercysakedon’ttakethemorI’llhavenoexcusetogotothenexthouse。’’

Thedoctorstared，thenunderstood，andbegantolaugh。Whenatlasthecouldspeakhesaid，``David，I’llbetyoustartedwiththreebushelsandbeganattheheadofthisstreet，andtheyareallgone。’’

``Putupagoodone！’’saidtheHarvester。``Youwin。ThefirsthouseItriedtheyorderedmetothebackdoor，tookamarketbasketfullawayfrommebyforce，triedtobuytheload，andIdidn’tseeanyonesaveamaid。’’

Thedoctorlayonthesteeringgearandfaintlygroaned。

TheHarvesterregardedhimsympathetically。``Isn’titacrime？’’hequestioned。``Mushroomsarenogo。

Icanseethat！——orrathertheyareentirelytoomuchofago。Ineversawanythinginsuchdemand。I

mustseekalesspopulararticleformypurpose。To-

morrowlookoutforme。IshallbeginwhereIleftoffto-day，butIwillhavechangedmyproduct。’’

``David，forpitysake，’’peepedthedoctor。

``WhatdoIcarehowIdoit，soIlocateher？’’

superblyinquiredtheHarvester。

``Butyouwon’tfindher！’’gaspedthedoctor。

``I’vecomeascloseitasyousofar，anyway，’’saidtheHarvester。``Yourmushroomsareonthedeskinyouroffice。’’

HedroveslowlyupanddownthestreetsuntilBetsywabbledonherlegs。Thenhelefthertorestandwalkeduntilhewabbled；andbythattimeitwasdark，sohewenthome。

Atthefirsthintofdawnhewasatworkthefollowingmorning。Withloadedbasketscloselycovered，hestartedtoOnabasha，andbeganwherehehadquitthedaybefore。Thistimehecarriedasmall，crudelyfashionedbarkbasket，leaf-covered，andherangatthefrontdoorwithconfidence。

Everyoneseemedtohaveamaidinthatpartofthecity，forafreshlycappedandapronedgirlopenedthedoor。

``Arethereanyyoungwomenlivinghere？’’blandlyinquiredtheHarvester。

``What’sthatofyourbusiness？’’demandedthemaid。

TheHarvesterflushed，butcontinued，``Iamofferingsomethingespeciallyintendedforyoungwomen。Iftherearenone，Iwillnottroubleyou。’’

``Thereareseveral。’’

``Willyoupleaseaskthemiftheywouldcareforbouquetsofviolets，freshfromthewoods？’’

``Howmucharethey，andhowlargearethebunches？’’

``Pricesdiffer，andtheyaretherightsizetoappearwell。Theyhadbetterseeforthemselves。’’

Themaidreachedforthebasket，buttheHarvesterdrewback。

``Ikeeptheminmypossession，’’hesaid。``Youmaytakeasample。’’

Heliftedtheleavesanddrewforthamedium-sizedbunchoflong-stemmedbluevioletswiththeirleaves。

Theflowerswerefresh，crisp，andstrongodoursofthewoodsarosefromthem。

``Oh！’’criedthemaid。``Oh，howlovely！’’

Shehurriedawaywiththemandreturnedcarryingapurse。

``Iwanttwomorebunches，’’shesaid。``Howmucharethey？’’

``Arethegirlswhowantthemdarkorfair？’’

``Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？’’

``Ihavebluevioletsforblondes，yellowforbrunettes，andwhitefortheothers。’’

``WellInever！Oneisfair，andtwohavebrownhairandblueeyes。’’

``Oneblueandtwowhites，’’saidtheHarvestercalmly，asifmatchingwomen’shairandeyeswithflowerswereaninheritedvocation。``Theyaretwentycentsabunch。’’

``Aha！’’hechortledtohimselfashewhistledtoBetsy。

``Atlastwehaveit。Therearenodark-eyedgirlshere。

Nowwearemakingheadway。’’

Downthestreethewent，withvaryingfortune，butwithpatienceandpersistenceateveryhouseheatlastmanagedtolearnwhethertherewasadark-eyedgirl。

Theredidnotseemtobemany。Longbeforehisstoreofyellowvioletswasgonethelastblueandwhitehaddisappeared。Buthecalmlywentonaskingfordark-

eyedgirls，andexplainingthatalltheblueandwhiteweretaken，becausefairwomenweremostnumerous。

Atonehousetheowner，whoremindedtheHarvesterofhismother，cametothedoor。Heuncoveredandinhissuavesttonesinquiredifabrunetteyoungwomanlivedthereandifshewouldlikeanosegayofyellowviolets。

``Wellblessmysoul！’’criedshe。``Whatisthisworldcomingto？Doyoumeantotellmethattherearenowable-bodiedmenofferingatourdoors，flowerstomatchourgirls’complexions？’’

``Yesmadam？’’saidtheHarvestergravely，``andalsosellingthemasfastashecanshowthem，atpricesthatmakeaprofitverywellworthwhile。Ihadanequalnumberofblueandwhite，butIseethedarkgirlsareverymuchintheminority。Theothersweregonelongago，andInowhaveflowerstoofferbrunettesonly。’’

``Wellforevermore！Andyoudon’tcallthatfiddlin’

businessforabig，healthy，youngman？’’

TheHarvester’sgaylaughwasinfectious。

``Idonot，’’hesaid。``IhavetostartassoonasI

cansee，tramplongdistancesinwetwoodsandgatherthevioletsonmyknees，makethemintobunches，andbringthemhereinwatertokeepthemfresh。Ihaveanotheroccupation。Ionlykilltimeonthese，butIwouldbeashamedtotellyouwhatIhavegottenforthemthismorning。’’

``Humph！I’mgladtohearit！’’saidthewoman。

``Shameinsomeformisasignofgrace。Ihavenouseforahumanbeingwithoutageneroussupplyofit。

Thereisaverybeautifuldark-eyedgirlinthehouse，andIwilltaketwobunchesforher。Howmucharethey？’’

``Ihaveonlythreeremaining，’’saidtheHarvester。

``Wouldyouliketoallowhertomakeherownselection？’’

``WhenI’mgivingthingsIusuallytakemychoice。I

wantthat，andthatone。’’

``Asmystockissonearlyout，I’llmakethetwofortwenty，’’saidtheHarvester。``Won’tyouacceptthelastonefromme，becauseyouremindmejustalittleofmymother？’’

``Iwillindeed，’’saidshe。``Thankyouverymuch！

Ishalllovetohavethemasdearlyasanyofthegirls。

IusedtogatherthemwhenIwasachild，butIalmostneverseetheblueonesanymore，andIdon’tknowasIeverexpectedtoseeayellowvioletagainaslongasI

live。Wheredidyougetthem？’’

``Inmywoods，’’saidtheHarvester。``YouseeI

growseveralmembersoftheviolapedatafamily，bird’sfoot，snake，andwoodviolet，andthreeoftheodorata，English，marsh，andsweet，forourbigdrughouses。

Theyusetheflowersinmakingdelicatetestsforacidsandalkalies。Theentireplant，flower，seed，leaf，androot，goesintodifferentremedies。Thebedsseedthemselvesandspread，soIhavemorethanIneedforthechemists，andIsellafew。Idon’tusethewhiteandyellowinmybusiness；Ijustgrowthemfortheirbeauty。

Ialsosellmysurplusliliesofthevalley。Wouldyouliketoordersomeofthemforyourhouseormorevioletsforto-morrow？’’

``Wellblessmysoul！Doyoumeantotellmethatliliesofthevalleyaremedicine？’’

TheHarvesterlaughed。

``IgrowimmensebedsoftheminthewoodsonthebanksofLoonLake，’’hesaid。``TheyaretheconvallarismajallisofthedrughousesandIscarcelyknowwhattheweak-heartedpeoplewoulddowithoutthem。I

uselargequantitiesintrade，andthisseasonIamsellingafewbecausepeoplesolovethem。’’

``Liliesinmedicine；welldearme！Arerosesgoodforourinnardstoo？’’

ThentheHarvesterdidlaugh。

``Iimaginetherosesyouknowgointoperfumesmostly，’’heanswered。``TheydomakemedicineofCanadianrockroseandrosebay，laurel，andwillow。

Igrowthebushes，buttheyarenotwhatyouwouldconsiderroses。’’

``Iwondernow，’’saidthewomanstudyingtheHarvesterclosely，``ifyouarenotthatqueergeniusI’veheardof，whospendshistimehuntingandgrowingstuffinthewoodsandpeoplecallhimtheMedicineMan。’’

``Istronglysuspectmadam，Iamthatman，’’saidtheHarvester。

``Wellblessme！’’criedshe。``I’vealwayswantedtoseeyouandherewhenIdo，youlookjustlikeanybodyelse。Ithoughtyou’dhavelonghair，andbewild-

eyedandferocious。Andyourtalksoundslikeoutofabook。Wellthatbeatsme！’’

``Metoo！’’saidtheHarvester，liftinghishat。``Youdon’twantanyliliesto-morrow，then？’’

``YesIdo。Medicineornomedicine，I’vealwaysliked’em，andI’mgoingtokeeponlikingthem。Ifyoucanbringmeagood-sizedbunchaftertheweak-

kneed——’’

``Weak-hearted，’’correctedtheHarvester。

``Well`weak-hearted，’then；it’sallthesamething。

Ifyou’vegotanyleft，asIwassaying，youcanfetchthemtomeforthesmell。’’

TheHarvesterlaughedallthewaydowntown。TherehewenttoDoctorCarey’soffice，examinedadirectory，andgotthenamesofallthenumberswherebehadsoldyellowviolets。Afewquestionswhenthedoctorcameinsettledallofthem，buttheflowerschemewasbetter。Becausetheyellowwerenotsoplentifulasthewhiteandblue，nextdayheaddedbuttercupsandcowslipstohisstoreforthedarkgirls。Whenhehadrifledhisbedsforthelasttime，afterthreeweeksofalmostdailytripstotown，andhadpaidhighpricestosmallboyshesetsearchingtheadjoiningwoodsuntilnomoreflowerscouldbefound，hedrovefromtheoutskirtsofthecityonedaytowardthehospital，andashestopped，downthestreetcameDoctorCareyfranticallywavingtohim。Asthebigcarslackened，``ComeonDavid，quick！I’veseenher！’’criedthedoctor。

TheHarvesterjumpedfromthewagon，threwthelinestoBelshazzar，andlandedinthepantingcar。

``ForHeaven’ssakewhere？Areyousure？’’

Thecarwentspeedingdownthestreet。Apolicemanbeckonedandcriedafterit。

``Itwon’tdoanygoodtogetarrested，Doc，’’cautionedtheHarvester。

``Nowrightalonghere，’’pantedDoctorCarey。``Watchbothsidessharply。IfIstopyoujumpout，andtelltheblamepolicementogetattheirjob。Thepartytheyarehiredtofindisrightundertheirnoses。’’

TheHarvesterbegantoperspire。``Doc，don’tyouthinkyoushouldtellme？Maybesheisinsomestore。

MaybeIcoulddobetteronfoot。’’

``Shutup！’’growledthedoctor。``IamdoingthebestIknow。’’

Hehurriedupthestreetforblocksandbackagain，andatlaststoppedbeforealargestoreandwentin。

Whenhereturnedhedrovetothehospitalandtogethertheyenteredtheoffice。ThereheturnedtotheHarvester。

``Itisn’tsohardtounderstandyounow，myboy，’’

hesaid。``ShadesofDiana，butshe’llbeabeautywhenshegetsalittlemorefleshandcolour。ShecameoutofWhitlaw’sandwalkedrighttothecrossing。Ialmostcouldhavetouchedher，butIdidn’tnotice。Twogirlspassedbeforeme，andinhurrying，atall，darkoneknockedoffoneofyourbunchesofyellowviolets。Sheglancedatitandlaughed，butletitlay。Thenyourgirlhesitatedstoopedandpickeditup。Thecrazypolicemanyelledatmetoclearthecrossinganditdidn’thitmeforahalfblockhowtallandwhiteshewasandhowdarkhereyeswere。Iwasjustthinkingaboutherpickinguptheflowers，andthatitwasqueerforhertodoit，whenlikeabrickithitme，THAT’SDAVID’SGIRL！Itriedtoturnaround，butyouknowwhatMainStreetisinthemiddleoftheday。Andthoseidiotsofpolicemen！

Theyorderedmeon，andIcouldn’tturnforastreetcarcoming，soIcalledtooneofthemthatthegirlwewantedwasdownthestreet，andhelookedatmelikeanaddle-

pateandsaid，`Whatgirl？Moveonoryou’llgetinajamhere。’YoucanusemeforafootballifI

don’tgobackandsmashhim。Paidhimfivedollarsmyselflessthantwoweeksagotokeephiseyesopen。

`TOKEEPHISEYESOPEN！’’’pantedthedoctor，shakinghisfistatDavid。``Yessir！`Tokeephiseyesopen！’

Andhemotionedforthingstocomealong，andsoI

losthertoo。’’

``Ithinkwehadbettergobacktothestreet，’’saidtheHarvester。

``Oh，I’dbeenbackandforthalongthatstreetfornearlyanhourbeforeIgaveupandcameheretoseeifIcouldfindyou，andwe’vehunteditanhourmore！

What’stheuse？She’sgoneforthistime，butbygum，Isawher！Andshewasworthseeing！’’

``Didsheappearilltoyou？’’

Thedoctordroppedonachairandthrewouthishandshopelessly。

``Thiswasawfulsudden，David，’’hesaid。``IwasgoingalongasItoldyou，andInoticedherstopandthoughtshehadagoodheadtowaitasecondinsteadofrunninginbeforeme，andtherecamethosetwogirlsrightunderthecarfromtheotherside。Ionlyhadaglimpseofherasshestoopedfortheflowers。Isawabigbraidofhair，butIwashalfablockawaybeforeIgotitallconnected，andthencamethecrushinthestreet，andIwasblocked。’’

Thedoctorbrokedownandwipedhisfaceandexpressedhisfeelingsunrestrainedly。

``Don’t！’’saidtheHarvesterpatiently。``It’snousetofeelsobadly，Doc。Iknowwhatyouwouldgivetohavefoundherforme。Iknowyoudidallyoucould。

Iletherescapeme。Wewillfindheryet。It’sgloriousnewsthatshe’sinthecity。Itgivesmehearttohearthat。Can’tyoujustrememberifsheseemedill？’’

Thedoctormeditated。

``Shewasn’tthetallestgirlIeversaw，’’hesaidslowly，``butshewasthetallestgirltobepretty。Shehadonawhitewaistandagrayskirtandblackhat。Hereyesandhairwerelikeyousaid，andshewasplain，whitefaced，withahuethatmightpossiblybenatural，anditmightbeconfinementinbadlightandairandpoorfood。Shedidn’tseemsick，butsheisn’twell。Thereissomethingthematterwithher，butit’snotimmediateordangerous。Sheappearedlikeaflowerthathadgotalittlemoistureandsproutedinacellar。’’

``Yousawherallright！’’saidtheHarvester，``andIthinkyourdiagnosisiscorrecttoo。That’sthewaysheseemedtome。I’vethoughtsheneededsunandair。

ItoldtheSouthWindsotheotherday。’’

``Whyyoublamefool！’’criedthedoctor。``Isthisthinggoingtoyourhead？Say，Iforgot！Thereissomethingelse。Itracedherinthestore。Shewasattheembroiderycounterandsheboughtsomesilk。Ifsheevercomesagaintheclerkisgoingtoholdherandtelephonemeorgetheraddressifshehastostealit。Oh，wearegettingthere！Wewillhaveherprettysoonnow。

YououghttofeelbetterjusttoknowthatsheisintownandthatI’veseenher。’’

``Ido！’’saidtheHarvester。``IndeedIdo！’’

``Itcan’tbemuchlonger，’’saidthedoctor。``She’sgottobelocatedsoon。Butthosepolicemen！Iwouldn’tgiveanickelforthelot！I’llbetshe’swalkedoverthemfortwoweeks。IfIwereyouI’ddischargethebunch。They’dbepeacefullyasleepifshepassedthem。

Ifthey’dletmealone，I’dhavehadher。Icouldhaveturnedaroundeasily。I’vebeenindozensofcloserplaces。’’

``Don’tworry！Thiscan’tlastmuchlonger。She’sofandinthecityorshewouldn’thavepickeduptheflowers。Doc，areyousuretheyweremine？’’

``Yes。Halfthegirlshavebeentrickedoutinyoursthepasttwoweeks。IcanspotthemasfarasIcansee。’’

``DearLord，that’sgettingclose！’’saidtheHarvesterintensely。``Seemsasifthevioletswouldtellher。’’

``NowcutoutflowerstalkingandtheSouthWind！’’

orderedthedoctor。``Thisisbusiness。Thevioletsprovesomethingallright，though。Ifshewasinthecountry，shecouldgatherplentyherself。Sheisworkingatsewinginsomeroomintown，eitheroverastoreorinahouse。Ifshehadn’tbeenstarvedforflowerssheneverwouldhavestoppedforthemonthestreet。

Icouldseejustaflashofhesitation，butshewantedthemtoomuch。David，onebouquetwillgoinwaterandbecaredforaweek。Man，it’sgettingclose！Thisdoesseemlikealink。’’

``Sinceyousayit，possiblyIdareagreewithyou，’’

saidtheHarvester。

``Hownearareyouthroughwiththatcanvassofyours？’’

``Aboutthreefourths。’’

``WellI’dgoonwithit。Afterallwehavegottofindherourselves。Thosesenilepolicemen！’’

``Iamgoingonwithit；youneedn’tworryaboutthat。ButI’vegottochangetootherflowers。I’vestrippedthevioletbeds。There’squiteacropofberriescoming，buttheyarenotripeyet，andatragedytopick。Thepondliliesarejustbeginningtoopenbythethousand。Thelakeborderisbluewithsweet-flagthatislovelyandthemarshpalegoldwithcowslips。

Thefernsareprimeandthewoodssolidsheetsofeverycolourofbloom。IbelieveI’llgoaheadwiththewildflowers。’’

``Iwouldtoo！David，youdofeelbetter，don’tyou？’’

``Icertainlydo，Doctor。Surelyitwon’tbelongnow！’’

TheHarvesterwassohopefulthathewhistledandsangonthereturntoMedicineWoods，andthatnightforthefirsttimeinmanydayshesatlongoveracandlestick，andtookafarewellpeepintoherroombeforehewenttobed。

Thenextdayheworkedwithallhismightharvestingthelastremnantsofearlyspringherbs，inthedry-roomandstore-house，andonfurnitureandcandlesticks。

Thenhewentbacktoflowergatheringandeverydayofferedbunchesofexquisitewoodandfieldflowersandwhiteandgoldwaterliliesfromdoortodoor。

ThreeweekslatertheHarvester，perceptiblythin，pale，andworriedenteredtheoffice。Hesankintoachairandgroanedwearily。

``Isn’tthisthebitterestluck！’’hecried。``I’vefinishedthetown。I’vealmostwalkedoffmylegs。I’vesoldflowersbythemillion，butI’venothadasightofher。’’

``It’sbeenalmostatragedywithme，’’saidthedoctorgloomily。``I’vekilledtwodogsandgrazedababy，becauseIwaswatchingthesidewalksinsteadofthestreet。Whatareyougoingtodonow？’’

``IamgoinghomeandbringuptheworktotheJulymark。IamgoingtotakeiteasyandrestafewdayssoIcanthinkmoreclearly。Idon’tknowwhatI’lltrynext。I’vepunchedupthedepotandthepolicemenagain。WhenIgetsomethingnewthoughtoutI’llletyouknow。’’

Thenhebeganemptyinghispocketsofmoneyandheapingitonthetable，smallcoins，bills，bigandlittle。

``Whatonearthisthat？’’

``That，’’saidtheHarvester，givingtheheapashoveofcontempt，``thatisthepriceofmyprideandhumiliation。

Thatiswhatitcostpeoplewhoallowedmetocheekmywayintotheirhomesandrobthem，asonemaidsaid，formyownpurposes。Doc，whereonearthdoesallthemoneycomefrom？InalmosteveryhouseIentered，womenhadittowaste，inmanycasestothrowaway。Ineversawsomuchpaidfornothinginallmylife。Thatwholeheapisfrommushroomsandflowers。’’

``Whatareyoupilingittherefor？’’

``Foryourfreeward。Idon’twantapennyofit。I

wouldn’tkeepit，notifIwasstarving。’’

``WhyDavid！Youcouldn’tcompelanyonetobuy。

Youofferedsomethingtheywanted，andtheypaidyouwhatyouasked。’’

``Yes，andtokeepthemfrombuying，andtomakethestuffgofarther，Inamedpricestoshameashark。

WhenIthinkofthatmushroomdealIcanfeelmyfaceburn。I’vemadethesearchIwantedto，andI

amsatisfiedthatIcan’tfindherthatway。Ihavekeptupmyworkathomebetweentimes。Iamnotoutanythingbutmytime，anditisn’tfairtoplunderthecitytopaythat。TakethatcussedmoneyandputitwhereI’llneverseeorhearofit。Doanythingyouplease，excepttoaskmeevertoprofitbyacent。WhenIwashmyhandsaftertouchingitforthelasttimemaybeI’llfeelbetter。’’

``Youareafanatic！’’

``Ifgettingridofthatisbeingafanatic，Iamproudofthetitle。Youcan’timaginewhatI’vebeenthrough！’’

``Can’tIthough？’’laughedthedoctor。``Inworkofthatkindyougetintoeveryvarietyofplace；andsomeofitisnewtoyou。Nevermind！Noonecancontaminateyou。Itisthelawthatonlyamancandegradehimself。Knowingthingswillnotharmyou。

Doingthemisadifferentmatter。Whatyouknowwillbeaprotection。Whatyoudoruins——ifitiswrong。Youarenotharmed，youareonlydisgusted。

Thinkitover，andinafewdayscomebackandgetyourmoney。Itisstrictlyhonest。Youearnedeverycentofit。’’

``IfyoueverspeakofitagainorforceitonmeI’lltakeithomeandthrowitintothelake。’’

HewentafterBetsyandslowlydrovetoMedicineWoods。Belshazzar，ontheseatbesidehim，recognizedasilent，disappointedmasterandwhimperedasherubbedtheHarvester’sshouldertoattracthisattention。

``Thisistoughluck，oldboy，’’saidtheHarvester。

``IhadsuchhopesandIworkedsohard。Isufferedinthefleshforeveryhourofit，andIfailed。OhbutIhatetheword！IfIknewwheresheisrightnow，Bel，I’dgiveanythingI’vegot。Butthere’snousetowailandgetsorryformyself。That’sagainstthelawofcommondecency。I’lltakeaswim，sleepitoff，straightenuptheherbsalittle，andgoatitagain，oldfellow；that’saman’sway。She’ssomewhere，andshe’sgottobefound，nomatterwhatitcosts。’’

CHAPTERVIII

BELSHAZZAR’SRECORDPOINT

TheHarvestersettheneglectedcabininorder；

thenhecarefullyanddeftlypackedallhisdriedherbs，barks，androots。Nextcamecarryingthecouchgrass，wildalum，andsoapwortintothestore-

room。ThenfollowedJulyherbs。Hefirstwenttohisbedsoffoxglove，becausethetenderleavesofthesecondyearshouldbestrippedfromthematfloweringtime，andthatusuallybegantwoweeksearlier；buthisbedlayinashaded，damplocationandthetallbloomstalkswereonlyinhalfflower，theirpalelavendermakinganexquisitepicture。Itpaidtocollectthoseleaves，sotheHarvesterhastilystrippedtheamounthewanted。

Yarrowwasbeginningtobloomandhegatheredasmuchasherequired，takingthewholeplant。Thatonlybroughtafewcentsapound，butitwasusedentire，sotheweightmadeitworthwhile。

Catniptopsandleaveswerealsoready。Asitgrewintheopenindrysoilandthebedshadbeenweededthatspring，hecouldgathergreatarmloadsofitwithasickle，buthehadtowatchtheswarmingbees。Heleftthemalefernandmulleinuntilthelastfordifferentreasons。

Onthedamp，cool，rockyhillside，beneathdeepshadeofbigforesttrees，grewtheferns，theirlong，gracefulfrondswavingsoftly。Treetoadssangonthecoolrocksbeneaththem，chewinksnestedundergnarledrootsamongthem，rose-breastedgrosbeakssangingrape-vinesclamberingoverthethickets，andSingingWaterranclosebeside。SotheHarvesterleftdiggingtheserootsuntilnearlythelast，becausehesodislikedtodisturbthebed。Hecouldnothavedoneitifhehadnotbeenforced。Allofthedemandforhisfernnevercouldbesupplied。OfhisproductsnonewasmoreimportanttotheHarvesterbecausethisformedthebasisofoneoftheoldestandmostreliableremediesforlittlechildren。Thefernhadtobegatheredwithespecialcare，deterioratedquickly，andnostaplewasmoresubjecttoadulteration。

Sohekepthisbedintact，liftedtherootsatthepropertime，carefullycleanedwithoutwashing，rapidlydriedincurrentsofhotair，andshippedtheminbottlestothetrade。Hechargedandreceivedfifteencentsapound，wherecarelessandindifferentworkersgotten。

OnthebanksofSingingWater，attheheadofthefernbed，theHarvesterstoodunderagraybeechtreeandlookeddowntheswayinglengthofdelicategreen。Hewasleanandrapidlybronzing，forheseldomrememberedaheadcoveringbecausehelovedthesweepofthewindinhishair。

``Ihatetotouchyou，’’hesaid。``HowIwishshecouldseeyoubeforeIbegin。Ifshedid，probablyshewouldsayitwasasin，andthenInevercouldmustercouragetodoitatall。I’dgiveasmallfarmtoknowifthosevioletsrevivedforher。IwascrazytoaskDociftheywerewilted，butIhatedto。IftheywerefromtheonesIgatheredthatmorningtheyshouldhavebeenallright。’’

Atreetoaddaredhimtocomeon；achipmunkgrewsaucyastheHarvesterbenttoanunlovedtask。Ifhestrippedthebedascloselyashedaredandnotinjureit，hecouldnotfillhalfhisorders；so，deftlyandwithswift，skilfulfingersandanearnestface，heworked。

Belshazzarcamedownthehillonarush，nosetoearthandbeganhuntingamongtheplants。Henevercouldunderstandwhyhislovedmasterwassocarelessastogotoworkbeforehehadpronounceditsafe。Whenthefernbedwasfinished，theHarvestertooktimetomakeatriptotown，buttherewasnowordwaitinghim；sohewenttothemullein。Itlayonasunnyhillsidebeyondthecouchgrassandjoinedafewsmallfields，theonlyclearedlandofthesixhundredacresofMedicineWoods。

Overrocksandlittlehillsandhollowsspreadthepale，grayish-yellowofthegreenleaves，andfromfivetosevenfeetarosetheflowerstems，whiletheentireearthbetweenwascoveredwithrosettesofyoungplants。Belshazzarwentbeforetogivewarningifanybigrattlerscurledinthesunonthehillside，andafterhimfollowedtheHarvestercuttingleavesinheaps。Thatwaswarmworkandhecoveredhisheadwithafloppyoldstrawhat，withwetgrassinthecrown，andstoppedoccasionallytorest。

Helovedthatyellow-facedhillside。Becausesomuchofhisreapinglayintheshadeandcommonlyhisfeetsankindeadleavesanddampearth，thechangewasarest。Hecheerfullystubbedhistoesonrocks，andenduredtheheatwithoutcomplaint。Itappearedtohimasifamemberofeveryspeciesofbutterflyheknewwavereddownthehillside。Thereweregolden-browndanais，withtheirblack-stripedwings，jettytroiluswithanattemptattrailers，bigasterias，velvetyblackwithlongertrailsandwidebandsofyellowdots。CoeniaweremostnumerousofallandtotheHarvesterwonderfullyattractiveinrich，subduedcolourswithawealthofmarkingsandeyespots。Manysmallmoths，withtransparentwingsandnosesredasblood，flashedpasthimhuntingpollen。Goldfinches，intentonthistlebloom，waveredthroughtheairtrailingmellow，happynotesbehindthem，andoftenahumming-birdvisitedthemullein。Onthelakewildlifesplashedandchatteredincessantly，andsometimestheHarvesterpausedandstoodwitharmsheapedwithleaves，tointerpretsomeunusuallyappealingnoteofpainorangerorsomeveryattractivemelody。Thered-wingswereswarming，thekilldeersbusy，andhethoughtoftheDreamGirlandsmiled。

``Iwonderifshewouldlikethis，’’hemused。

Whenthemulleinleavesweredeeponthetraysofthedry-househebeganonthebloomandthatwasataskheloved。Justtolayoffthebedsinswathsandfollowthem，deftlypickingthestamensandyellowpetalsfromtheblooms。Thesehewoulddryspeedilyinhotair，bottle，andsendatoncetobiglaboratories。Thelistedpricewasseventy-fivecentsapound，butthebeautifulgoldenbottlesoftheHarvesteralwaysbroughtmore。

Theworkwasworthwhile，andhelikedthelocationandgatheringofthisparticularcrop:forthesereasonshealwaysleftituntilthelast，andthenrevelledinthegoldofsunshine，bird，butterfly，andflower。Severaldayswererequiredtoharvestthemulleinandduringthetimethemanworkedwithnimblefingers，whilehisbrainwasintenselyoccupiedwiththequestionofwhattodonextinhissearchfortheGirl。

Whentheworkwasfinished，hewenttothedeepwoodtotakeapeepatacresofthriftyginseng，andhewassatisfiedashesurveyedthebigbed。Longyearshehadlaboureddiligently；sooncamethereward。Hehadnotrealizeditbefore，butashestudiedthesituationhesawthatheeithermustbeginthisharvestatonceoremployhelp。IfhewaiteduntilSeptemberhecouldnotgatheronethirdofthecropalone。

``ButtherootswillweighlessifItakethemnow，’’heargued，``andIcanworkatnothingincomfortuntilIhavelocatedher。Iwillgoonwithmysearchandallowtheginsengtogrowthatmuchheavier。Whatapicture！Itisfollytodisturbthisnow，forIwilllosetheseedofeveryplantIdig，andthatisworthalmostasmuchastheroot。ItisaquestionwhetherIwanttofurnishthemarketwithseed，andsoraisecompetitionformybed。Ithink，bejabbers，thatI’llwaitforthisharvestuntiltheseedisripe，andthenburypartofaheadwhereIdigaroot，astheIndiansdid。That’stheidea！ThemoreIgrow，themoremoney；andI

mayneedconsiderableforher。OnethingI’dliketoknow:Aretheseplantscultivated？AllthebooksquotethewildathighestratesandallI’veeversoldwaswild。

Thestartgrewherenaturally。WhatIaddedfromthesurroundingcountrywaswild，butthroughandamongitI’vesownseedIbought，andI’vetendeditwitheverycare。Butthisisdeepwoodandwildconditions。I

thinkIhaveaperfectrighttosolabelit。I’llaskDoc。

AndanotherthingI’llgothroughthewoodswestofOnabashawhereIusedtofindginseng，andseeifI

cangetalittleandthentakethesameamountofplantsgrownhere，andmakeatest。ThatwayIcandiscoveranydifferencebeforeIgotomarket。Thisismygoldmine，andthatpointismightyimportanttome，soI’llgothisveryday。IusedtofinditinthewoodsnortheastoftownandonthelandJamesonbought，west。Wonderifhelivesthereyet。Heshouldhavediedofpuremeannesslongago。I’lldrivetotheriverandhuntalongthebank。’’

EarlythefollowingmorningtheHarvesterwenttoOnabashaandstoppedatthehospitalfornews。Findingnone，hewentthroughtownandseveralmilesintothecountryontheotherside，toapieceoflowlandlyingalongtheriverbank，whereheoncehadfoundandcarriedhometoresetabigbedofginseng。Ifhecouldgetonlyahalfpoundofrootsfromtherenow，theywouldservehispurpose。Hewentdownthebank，Belshazzarathisheels，andatlastfoundtheplace。Manytreeshadbeencut，butthereremainedenoughforshade；

thefieldsboretheragged，unattractiveappearanceofold。TheHarvestersmiledgrimlyasherememberedthatthemanwholivedthereoncehadchargedhimfordamagehemightdototreesindrivingacrosshiswoods，andboastedtohisneighboursthatayoungfoolwaspayingfortheprivilegeofdoinghisgrubbing。IfJamesonhadknownwhattherootshewassoanxioustodisposeofbroughtapoundonthemarketatthattime，hewouldhavebeeninsanewithanger。SotheHarvester’seyesweredancingwithfunandawrygrintwistedhislipsasheclamberedoverthebanksoftherecentlydredgedriver，andlookedatitspitifulconditionandstraight，muddyflow。

``AppearstomatchtheremainderoftheJamesonproperty，’’hesaid。``Idon’tknowwhoheisorwherehecamefrom，buthe’snofarmer。Perhapsheusesthislandtocorralthestockhebuysuntilhecansellitagain。’’

Hewentdowntheembankmentandbegantosearchforthelocationwhereheformerlyhadfoundtheginseng。

Whenhecametotheplacehestoodamazed，forfromseed，roots，andplantshehadmissed，thegrowthhadsprungupandspread，sothatatarapidestimatetheHarvesterthoughtitcontainedatleastfivepounds，allowingforwhatitwouldshrinkonaccountofbeinggatheredearly。Hehesitatedaninstant，andthoughtofcominglater；butthedrivewaslongandthelosswouldnotamounttoenoughtopayforasecondtrip。

Abouttakingit，heneverthoughtatall。Heoncehadpermissionfromtheownertodigalltheshrubs，bushes，andweedshedesiredfromthatstretchofwoods，andhadpaidforpossibledamagesthatmightoccur。Ashebenttothetasktheredidcomeafleetingthoughtthatthepatchwasweedlessandinunusualshapeforwildstuff。

Then，withswiftstrokesofhislightmattock，heliftedtheroots，crammedthemintohissack，whistledtoBelshazzar，andgoingbacktothewagon，droveaway。

Reachinghomehewashedtheginseng，andspreaditonatraytodry。Thefirsttimehewantedthemattockherealizedthathehadleftitlyingwherehehadworked。

Itwasanimplementthathehaddirectedablacksmithtofashiontomeethisrequirements。Nostorecontainedanythinghalfsousefultohim。Hehadworkedwithitforyearsanditjustsuitedhim，sotherewasnothingtodobutgoback。Betsywastootiredtoreturnthatday，soheplannedtodighisginsengwithsomethingelse，finishhisworkthefollowingmorning，andgetthemattockintheafternoon。

``It’slikeaknifeyou’vecarriedforyears，oragun，’’

mutteredtheHarvester。``Iactuallydon’tknowhowtogetalongwithoutit。WhatmademesocarelessI

can’timagine。Ineverbeforeinmylifedidatricklikethat。IwonderifIhurriedalittle。Icertainlywasfreetotakeit。Healwayswantedthestuffdugup。Ofallthestupidtricks，Belshazzar，thatwastheworst。

NowBetsyandahalfdayofwastedtimemustpayformycarelessness。SinceIhavetogo，I’lllookalittlefarther。Maybethereismore。Thosewoodsusedtobefullofit。’’

Accordingtothisprogramme，thenextafternoontheHarvesteragainwalkeddowntheembankmentofthemourningriverandthroughtheraggedwoodstotheplacewheretheginsenghadbeen。Hewentforward，steppinglightly，asmenofhisracehadwalkedtheforestforages，swervingtoavoidboughs，andlookingstraightahead。Contrarytohisusualcustomofcomingtoheelinastrangewood，Belshazzarsuddenlydartedaroundthemanandtookthepaththeyhadfollowedthepreviousday。Theanimalwasperforminghisofficeinlife；hehadheardorscentedsomethingunusual。TheHarvesterknewwhatthatmeant。Helookedinquiringlyatthedog，glancedaround，andthenattheearth。Belshazzarproceedednoiselesslyatarapidpaceovertheleaves:

Suddenlythemastersawthedogstopinastiffpoint。

Liftinghisfeetlightlyandstraininghiseyesbeforehim，theHarvesterpassedaspicethicketandcameinline。

ForonesecondhestoodasrigidasBelshazzar。Thenexthisrightarmshotupwardfulllength，andbegandescribingcircles，hisopenpalmheavenward，andintohisfaceleaptaglorifiedexpressionofexultation。Facedownintherifledginsengbedlayasobbinggirl。Herframewaslongandslender，athickcoilofdarkhair；

boundherhead。AsecondmoreandtheHarvesterbentandsoftlypattedBelshazzar’shead。Thebeastbrokepointandlookedup。Themancaughtthedog’schininacaressinggrip，againtouchedhishead，movedsoundlesslips，andwavedtowardtheprostratefigure。Thedoghesitated。TheHarvestermadethesamemotions。

Belshazzarsoftlysteppedovertheleaves，passedaroundthefeetofthegirl，andpausedbesideher，nosetoearth，softlysniffing。

Inonemomentshecameswiftlytoasittingposture。

``Oh！’’shecriedinaspasmoffright。

Belshazzarreachedaninvestigatingnoseandwaggedaneagertail。

``Whyyouareanicefriendlydog！’’saidthetremblingvoice。

Heimmediatelyverifiedtheassertionbyofferinghisnoseforakiss。Thegirltimidlylaidahandonhishead。

``HeavenknowsI’mlonelyenoughtokissadog，’’

shesaid，``butsupposeyoubelongtothemanwhostolemyginseng，andthenranawaysofastheforgothis——

hispiecehediggedwith。’’

Belshazzarpressedcloser。

``Iamjustkilled，andIdon’tcarewhosedogyouare，’’

sobbedthegirl。

ShethrewherarmsaroundBelshazzar’sneckandlaidherwhitefaceagainsthissatinyshoulder。TheHarvestercouldendurenomore。Hetookastepforward，hisfaceconvulsedwithpain。

``Pleasedon’t！’’hebegged。``Itookyourginseng。

I’llbringitbackto-morrow。Therewasn’tmorethantwenty-fiveorthirtydollars’worth。Itdoesn’tamounttoonetear。’’

Thegirlarosesoquickly，theHarvestercouldnotseehowshedidit。Withastartledfrightonherface，andthedarkeyesswimming，sheturnedtohiminonelonglook。

Wordsrolledfromthelipsofthemaninajumble。Behindthetearstherewasadull，expressionlessblueinthegirl’seyesandherfacewassowhitethatitappearedblank。Hebegantalkingbeforeshecouldspeak，inanefforttosecureforgivenesswithoutcondemnation。

``Yousee，IgrowitforalivingonlandIown，andI’vealwaysgatheredalltherewasinthecountryandnoonecared。Thereneverwasenoughinoneplacetopay，andnoothermanwantedtospendthetime，andsoI’vealwaysfeltfreetotakeit。EveryoneknewIdid，andnooneeverobjectedbefore。OnceIpaidHenryJamesonfortheprivilegeofcleaningitfromthesewoods。Thatwassixorsevenyearsago，anditdidn’toccurtomethatIwasn’tatlibertytodigwhathasgrownsince。I’llbringitbackatonce，andpayyoufortheshrinkagefromgatheringittooearly。Therewon’tbemuchoversixpoundswhenit’sdry。Please，pleasedon’tfeelbadly。

Won’tyoutrustmetoreturnit，andmakegoodthedamageI’vedone？’’

ThefaceoftheHarvesterwaseagerandhistonesappealing，asheleanedforwardtryingtomakeherunderstand。

``Certainly！’’saidtheGirlasshebenttopatthedog，whileshedriedhereyesundercoverofthemovement。

``Certainly！Itcanmakenodifference！’’

ButastheHarvesterdrewadeepbreathofrelief，shesuddenlystraightenedtofullheightandlookedstraightathim。

``Ohwhatistheusetotellapitifullie！’’shecried。

``Itdoesmakeadifference！Itmakesallthedifferenceintheworld！Ineedthatmoney！Ineeditunspeakably。

IoweadebtImustpay。What——whatdidI

understandyoutosayginsengisworth？’’

``Ifyouwilltakeafewsteps，’’saidtheHarvester，``andmakeyourselfcomfortableonthislogintheshade，IwilltellyouallIknowaboutit。’’

Thegirlwalkedswiftlytothelogindicated，seatedherself，andwaited。TheHarvesterfollowedtoarespectfuldistance。

``Ican’ttelltoanouncewhatwetrootswouldweigh，’’

hesaidaseasilyashecouldcommandhisvoicetospeakwiththeheartinhimbeatingwildly，``andofcoursetheylosegreatlyindrying；butI’vehandledenoughthatIknowtheweightIcarriedhomewillcometosixpoundsattheveryleast。Thenyoumustfigureonsomeloss，becauseIdugthisbeforeitreallywasready。ItdoesnotreachfullgrowthuntilSeptember，andifitistakentoosoonthereisadecreaseinweight。IwillmakethatuptoyouwhenIreturnit。’’

Thetroubledeyesweregazingonhisfaceintently，andtheHarvesterstudiedthemashetalked。

``Youwouldthink，then，therewouldbeallofsixpounds？

``Yes，’’saidtheHarvester，``closereight。WhenI

replacetheshrinkagethereisboundtobeoverseven。’’

``AndhowmuchdidIunderstandyoutosayitbroughtapound？’’

``Thatalldepends，’’answeredhe。``Ifyoucureityourself，anddryittoomuch，youloseinweight。IfyoucarryitinasmalllottothedruggistsofOnabasha，probablyyouwillnotgetoverfivedollarsforit。’’

``Five？’’

Itwasastartledcry。

``Howmuchdidyouexpect？’’askedtheHarvestergently。

``UncleHenrysaidhethoughthecouldgetfiftycentsapoundforallIcouldfind。’’

``IfyourUncleHenryhaslearnedatlastthatginsengisasalablearticleheshouldknowsomethingaboutthepricealso。Willyoutellmewhathesaid，andhowyoucametothinkofgatheringrootsforthemarket？’’

``TherewerementalkingbeneaththetreesoneSundayafternoonaboutoldtimesandhuntingdeer，andtheyspokeofpeoplewhomademoneylongagogatheringrootsandbarks，andtheymentionedonemanwholivedbyityet。’’

``WashisnameLangston？’’

``Yes，IrememberbecauseIlikedthename。Iwassoeagertoearnsomething，andIcan’tleaveherejustnowbecauseAuntMollyisveryill，sothethoughtcamethatpossiblyIcouldgatherstuffworthmoney，aftermyworkwasfinished。Iwentoutandaskedquestions。

Theysaidnothingbroughtenoughtomakeitpayanyone，exceptthisginsengplant，andtheLangstonmanalmosthadstrippedthecountry。Thenunclesaidheusedtogetstuffhere，andhemighthavegotsomeofthat。Iaskedwhatitwaslike，sotheytoldmeandI

hunteduntilIfoundthat，anditseemedaquantitytome。OfcourseIdidn’tknowithadtobedried。UncletookarootIdugtoastore，andtheytoldhimthatitwasn’tmuchusedanymore，buttheywouldgivehimfiftycentsapoundforit。WhatMAKESyouthinkyoucangetfivedollars？’’

``Withyourpermission，’’saidtheHarvester。

Heseatedhimselfonthelog，drewfromhispocketanoldpamphlet，andspreadingitbeforeher，ranapencilalongthelineofalistofschedulepricesforcommondrugrootsandherbs。Becauseheunderstood，hiseyeswereverybright，andhisvoiceatriflecrisp。Alatentangerspringinginhisbreastwasagoodcurbforhisemotions。HewascloselyacquaintedwithallofthedruggistsofOnabasha，andheknewthatnotoneofthemhadofferedlessthanstandardpricesforginseng。

``ThereasonIthinkso，’’hesaidgently，``isbecausegrowingitisthelargestpartofmyoccupation，anditwasastaplewithmyfatherbeforeme。IamDavidLangston，ofwhomyouheardthosemenspeak。SinceIwasaverysmallboyIhavelivedbycollectingherbsandroots，andIgetmoreforginsengthananythingelse。VeryearlyItiredofhuntingotherpeople’swoodsforherbs，soIbegantransplantingthemtomyown。Imovedthatbedouttheresevenyearsago。WhatyoufoundhasgrownsincefromrootsIoverlookedandseedsthatfellatthattime。NowdoyouthinkIamenoughofanauthoritytotrustmywordonthesubject？’’

Therewasnotachangeofexpressiononherwhiteface。

``Yousurelyshouldknow，’’shesaidwearily，``andyoucouldhavenopossibleobjectindeceivingme。Pleasegoon。’’

``Anycountryboyorgirlcanfindginseng，gather，wash，anddryit，andgetfivedollarsapound。Icanreturnyoursto-morrowandyoucancureandtakeittoadruggistIwillnameyou，andsellforthat。Butifyouwillallowmetomakeasuggestion，youcangetmore。Yourrootsarenowonthetraysofanevaporatinghouse。Theywilldrytotheproperdegreedesiredbythetrade，sothattheywillnotloseanextraounceinweight，andifIsendthemwithmystufftobigwholesalehousesIdealwith，theywillbegradedwiththefinestwildginseng。Itisworthmorethanthecultivatedandyouwillgetclosereightdollarsapoundforitthanfive。Thereissomespeculationinit，andthemarketfluctuates:but，asarule，Isellforthehighestpricethedrugbrings，and，attimeswhentheseasonisverydry，Isetmyownprices。ShallIreturnyoursormayIcureandsellit，andbringyouthemoney？’’

``Howmuchtroublewouldthatmakeyou？’’

``None。Theworkofdiggingandwashingisalreadyfinished。AllthatremainsistoweighitandmakeamemorandumoftheamountwhenIsell。Ishouldverymuchliketodoit。Itwouldbeacomforttoseethemoneygointoyourhands。Ifyouareafraidtotrustme，Iwillgiveyouthenamesofseveralpeopleyoucanaskconcerningmethenexttimeyougotothecity。’’

Shelookedathimsteadily。

``Nevermindthat，’’shesaid。``Butwhydoyouoffertodoitforastranger？Itmustbesometrouble，nomatterhowsmallyourepresentittobe。’’

``PerhapsIamgoingtopayyoueightandsellforten。’’

``Idon’tthinkyoucan。Fivesoundsfabuloustome。

Ican’tbelievethat。Ifyouwantedtomakemoneyyouneedn’thavetoldmeyoutookit。Ineverwouldhaveknown。Thatisn’tyourreason！’’

``PossiblyIwouldliketoatoneforthosetearsI

caused，’’saidtheHarvester。

``Don’tthinkofthat！Theyareofnoconsequencetoanyone。Youneedn’tdoanythingformeonthataccount。’’

``Don’tsearchforareason，’’saidtheHarvester，inhisgentlesttones。``Forgetthatfeatureofthecase。

SayI’mpeculiar，andallowmetodoitbecauseitwouldbeapleasure。InclosetwoweeksIwillbringyouthemoney。Isitabargain？’’

``Yes，ifyoucaretomakeit。’’

``Icareverymuch。Wewillcallthatsettled。’’

``IwishIcouldtellyouwhatitwillmeantome，’’saidtheGirl。

``Ifyouonlywould，’’pleadtheHarvester。

``Imustnotburdenastrangerwithmytroubles。’’

``Butifitwouldmakethestrangersohappy！’’

``Thatisn’tpossible。Imustfacelifeandbearwhatitbringsmealone。’’

``Notunlessyouchoose，’’saidtheHarvester。``Thatis，ifyouwillpardonme，anarrowviewoflife。Itcutsotherpeopleoutofthejoyofservice。Ifyoucan’ttellme，wouldyoutrustaverylovelyandgentlewomanI

couldbringtoyou？’’

``Nomorethanyou。Itismyaffair；Imustworkitoutmyself。’’

``Iammightysorry，’’saidtheHarvester。``Ibelieveyouerrinthatdecision。Thinkitoveradayorso，andseeiftwoheadsarenotbetterthanone。Youwillrealizewhenthisginsengmatterissettledthatyouprofitedbytrustingme。Thesamewillholdgoodalongotherlines，ifyouonlycanbringyourselftothinkso。

Atanyrate，try。Tellingatroublemakesitlighter。

Sympathyshouldhelp，ifnothingcanbedone。Andasformoney，Icanshowyouhowtoearnsumsatleastworthyourtime，ifyouhavenothingelseyouwanttodo。’’

TheGirlbenttowardhim。

``Ohpleasedotellme！’’shecriedeagerly。``I’vetriedandtriedtofindsomewayeversinceIhavebeenhere，buteveryoneelseIhavemetsaysIcan’t，andnothingseemstobeworthanything。IfyouonlywouldtellmesomethingIcoulddo！’’

``Ifyouwillexcusemysayingso，’’saidtheHarvester，``itappealstomethatease，notwork，isthethingyourequire。Youappearextremelyworn。Won’tyouletmehelpyoufindawaytoalongrestfirst？’’

``Impossible！’’criedtheGirl。``IknowIamwhiteandappearill，buttrulyIneverhavebeensickinallmylife。Ihavebeenhavingtroubleandworkingtoomuch，butI’llbebettersoon。Believeme，thereisnorestformenow。ImustearnthemoneyIowefirst。’’

``Thereisaway，ifyoucaretotakeit，’’saidtheHarvester。``InmyworkIhavebecomeverywellacquaintedwiththechiefsurgeonofthecityhospital。

ThroughhimIhappentoknowthathehasafreebedinabeautifulroom，whereyoucouldrestuntilyouareperfectlystrongagain，andthatroomisemptyjustnow。

Whenyouarewell，Iwilltellyouaboutthework。’’

AsshearosetheHarvesterstood，andtallandstraightshefacedhim。

``Impossible！’’shesaid。``Itwouldbebrutaltoleavemyaunt。Icannotpaytorestinahospitalward，andIwillnotacceptcharity。Ifyoucanputmeinthewayofearning，evenafewcentsaday，atanythingIcoulddooutsidetheworknecessarytoearnmyboardhere，itwouldbringmeclosertohappinessthananythingelseonearth。’’

``WhatIsuggestisnotimpossible，’’saidtheHarvestersoftly。``Ifyouwillgo，insideanhourasweetandgentleladywillcomeforyouandtakeyoutoeaseandperfectrestuntilyouarestrongagain。Iwillseethatyourauntiscaredforscrupulously。Ican’thelpurgingyou。Itisacrimetotalkofworktoawomansomanifestlywornasyouare。’’

``Thenwewillnotspeakofit，’’saidtheGirlwearily。

``Itistimeformetogo，anyway。Iseeyoumeantobeverykind，andwhileIdon’tintheleastunderstandit，IdohopeyoufeelIamgrateful。Ifhalfyousayabouttheginsengcomestrue，IcanmakeapaymentworthwhilebeforeIhadhopedto。Ihavenowordstotellyouwhatthatwillmeantome。’’

``Ifthisdebtyouspeakofwerepaid，couldyourestthen？’’

``Icouldliedownandgiveupinpeace，andIthinkIwould。’’

``Ithinkyouwouldn’t，’’saidtheHarvester，``becauseyouwouldn’tbeallowed。Therearepeopleinthesedayswhomakeabusinessofsecuringrestforthetiredandoverweary，andtheywouldcomeandpreventthatifyoutriedit。Pleaseletmemakeanothersuggestion。

Ifyouowemoneytosomeoneyoufeelneedsitandthedebtispreyingonyou，let’spayit。’’

Hedrewasmallcheck-bookfromhispocketandslippedapenfromaband。

``Ifyouwillnametheamountandgivemetheaddress，youshallbefreetogototherestIaskforyouinsideanhour。’’

Thenslowlyfromheadtofootshelookedathim。

``Why？’’

``Becauseyourfaceandattitudeclearlyindicatethatyouareovertired。Believeme，youdoyourselfwrongifyourefuse。’’

``Inwhatwaywouldchangingcreditorsrestme？’’

``Ithoughtperhapsyouwereowingsomeonewhoneededthemoney。Iamnotarichman，butIhavenoonesavemyselftoprovideforandIhavefundslyingidlethatIwouldbegladtouseforyou。Ifyoumakeapointofit，whenyouarerested，youcanrepayme。’’

``Mycreditorneedsthemoney，butIshouldpreferowinghimratherthanaperfectstranger。Whatyousuggestwouldhelpmenotatall。Imustgonow。’’

``Verywell，’’saidtheHarvester。``Ifyouwilltellmewhomtoaskforandwhereyoulive，Iwillcometoseeyouto-morrowandbringyousomepamphlets。Withtheseandwithalittlehelpyousooncanearnanyamountagirlislikelytoowe。Itwillrequirebutalittlewhile。

WherecanIfindyou？’’

TheGirlhesitatedandforthefirsttimeahintofcolourflushedhercheek。Butcourageappearedtobeherstrongpoint。

``Doyouliveinthispartofthecountry？’’sheasked。

``Ilivetenmilesfromhere，eastofOnabasha，’’heanswered。

``DoyouknowHenryJameson？’’

``Bysightandbyreputation。’’

``Didyoueverknowanythingkindorhumaneofhim？’’

``Ineverdid。’’

``MynameisRuthJameson。AtpresentIamindebtedtohimfortheonlyshelterIhave。Hiswifeisillthroughoverworkandworry，andIampayingformybedandwhatIdon’teat，principally，byattemptingherwork。ItscarcelywouldbefairtoUncleHenrytosaythatIdoit。IstaggeraroundaslongasIcanstand，thenIsitthroughhisabuse。Heisapleasantman。

Pleasedon’tthinkIamtellingyouthistoharrowyoursympathyfurther。ThereasonIexplainisbecauseI

amdriven。IfIdonot，youwillmisjudgemewhenI

saythatIonlycanseeyouhere。IunderstoodwhatyoumeantwhenyousaidUncleHenryshouldhaveknownthepriceofginsengifheknewitwasforsale。

Hedid。Heknewwhathecouldgetforit，andwhathemeanttopayme。Thatisoneofhisoriginalmethodswithawoman。IfhethoughtIcouldearnanythingworthwhile，hewouldallowme，ifIkilledmyselfdoingit；andthenhewouldtakethemoneybyforceifnecessary。

SoIcanmeetyouhereonly。IcanearnjustwhatImayinsecret。Hebuyscattleandhorsesandisawayfromhomemuchoftheday，andwhenAuntMollyiscomfortableIcanhaveafewhours。’’

``Iunderstand，’’saidtheHarvester。``Butthisisanaddedhardship。Whydoyouremain？Whysubjectyourselftoforceandworktooheavyforyou？’’

``BecausehisistheonlyroofonearthwhereIfeelI

canpayforallIget。Idon’tcaretodiscussit，Ionlywantyoutosayyouunderstand，ifIaskyoutobringthepamphletshereandtellmehowIcanearnmoney。’’

``Ido，’’saidtheHarvesterearnestly，althoughhisheartwashotinprotest。``YoumaybeverysurethatIwillnotmisjudgeyou。ShallIcomeattwoo’clockto-morrow，MissJameson？’’

``Ifyouwillbesokind。’’

TheHarvestersteppedasideandshepassedhimandcrossingtherifledginsengpatchwenttowardalowbrownfarmhouselyinginanunkeptgarden，besidearaggedhighway。Themansatonthelogshehadvacated，heldhisheadbetweenhishandsandtriedtothink，buthecouldnotforbigwavesofjoythatsweptoverhimwhenherealizedthatatlasthehadfoundher，hadspokenwithher，andhadarrangedameetingforthemorrow。

``Belshazzar，’’hesaidsoftly，``IwishIcouldleaveyoutoprotecther。EverydayyouprovetomethatIneedyou，butHeavenknowshernecessityisgreater。Bel，shemakesmyheartacheuntilitfeelslikejelly。Thereseemstobejustonethingtodo。Getthatfooldebtpaidlikelightning，andliftheroutofherequickerthanthat。Now，wewillgoandseeDoc，andcalloffthewatch-dogsofthelaw。Aheadofthem，aren’twe，Belshazzar？Thereisabetterdaycoming；wefeelitinourbones，don’twe，oldpartner？’’

TheHarvesterstartedthroughthewoodsonarush，andastheexercisewarmedhisheart，hegrewwonderfullyglad。Atlasthehadfoundher。Uncertaintywasover。Ifeveragirlneededahomeandcarehethoughtshedid。Hewassojubilantthathefeltlikecryingaloud，shoutingforjoy，butbyandbytheyearsofsoberrepressionmadetheirweightfelt，soheclimbedintothewagonandpolitelyrequestedBetsytomakeherbesttimetoOnabasha。Betsyhadbeenaskedtomakehastesofrequentlyoflatethatsheatfirstalmostdoubtedthesanityofhermaster，thelawofwhoselife，untilrecently，hadbeentotakehistime。Nowheappearedtobeinhasteeveryday。Shehadbecomesoaccustomedtobeingurgedtohurrythatshealmosthaddevelopedagait；soattheHarvester’ssuggestionshedidherlevelbesttoOnabashaandthehospital，whereshelovedtonoseBelshazzarandrestnearthewateringtapunderabigtree。

TheHarvesterwentdownthehallandintotheofficeontherun，andhisfaceappearedlikeamaterializedembodimentoflivingjoy。DoctorCareyturnedathisapproachandthenboundedhalfwayacrosstheroom，hishandsoutstretched。

``You’vefoundher，David！’’

TheHarvestergrabbedthehandofhisfriendandstoodpumpingitupanddownwhilehegulpedatthelumpinhisthroat，andbigtearssqueezedfromhiseyes，buthecouldonlynodhisproudhead。

``Foundher！’’exultedDoctorCarey。``Reallyfoundher！Wellthat’sgreat！Sitdownandtellme，boy！

Isshesick，aswefeared？Didyouonlyseeherordidyougettotalkwithher？’’

``Wellsir，’’saidtheHarvester，chokingbackhisemotions，``yourememberthatginsengItoldyouaboutgettingontheoldJamesonplacelastnight。To-day，IlearnedI’dlostthathand-mademattockIusemost，andIwentbackforit，andthereshewas。’’

``Inthecountry？’’

``Yessir！’’

``Wellwhydidn’twethinkofitbefore？’’

``Isupposefirstwewouldhavehadtosatisfyourselvesthatshewasn’tintown，anyway。’’

``Sure！Thatwouldbethelogicalwaytogoatit！

Andsoyoufoundher？’’

``Yessir，Ifoundher！JustBelshazzarandI！Iwasgoingalongonmywaytotheplace，andheranpastmeandmadeastiffpoint，andwhenIcameup，thereshewas！’’

``Thereshewas？’’

``Yessir；thereshewas！’’

Theyshookhandsagain。

``Thenofcourseyouspoketoher。’’

``YesIspoketoher。’’

``Wereyoupleased？’’

``Withherspeechandmanner？——yes。But，Doc，ifeverawomanneededeverythingonearth！’’

``Welldidyougetanykindofastartmade？’’

``Icouldn’tdosoverymuch。Ihadtogoalittleslowforfearoffrighteningher，butItriedtogethertocomehereandshewon’tuntiladebtsheowesispaid，andshe’sinnoconditiontowork。’’

``Gotanyideahowmuchitis？’’

``No，butitcan’tbeanylargesum。Itriedtooffertopayit，butshehadnohesitationintellingmeshepreferredowingamansheknewtoastranger。’’

``Wellifsheissoparticular，howdidshecometotellyoufirstthingthatshewasindebt？’’

TheHarvesterexplained。

``OhIsee！’’saidthedoctor。``Wellyou’llhavetobabyheralongwiththeideathatsheisearningmoneyandpayherdoubleuntilyougetthatoffhermind，andwhileyouareatit，putinyourbestlicks，myboy；perkrightupandcourtherlikeahouseafire。Womenlikeit。

Allofthemdo。Theygloryinfeelingthatamaniscrazyaboutthem。’’

``WellI’minsaneenoughoverher，’’saidtheHarvester，``butI’dhatelikethenationforhertoknowit。

Seemsasifawomancouldn’trespectsuchanaddle-pateasIamlately。’’

``Don’tyouworryaboutthat，’’advisedthedoctor。

``Justyoumakelovetoher。Goatitinthegoodold-

fashionedway。’’

``Butmaybethe`goodold-fashionedway’isn’tmyway。’’

``What’sthedifferencewhosewayitis，ifitwins？’’

``ButKiplingsays:`Eachmanmakeslovehisownway！’’’

``Iseemtohaveheardyoumentionthatnamebefore，’’saidthedoctor。``Doyouregardhimasanauthority？’’

``Ido！’’saidtheHarvester。``Especiallywhenheadvisesmeaftermyownheartandreason。MissJamesonisnotasillygirl。She’sawoman，andtwenty-fouratleast。Idon’twanthertocareforatrickorapretence。Idowanthertoloveme。NotthatIamworthherattention，butbecausesheneedssomestrongmanfearfully，andIamreadyandmore`willing’thantheoriginalBarkis。But，likehim，Ihavetoletherknowitinmyway，andcourtheraccordingtothepromptingsofmyheart。’’

``Youdeceiveyourself！’’saidthedoctorflatly。``That’sallbosh！Yourtonguesaysitforthesatisfactionofyourears，anditdoessoundwell。Youwillcourtheraccordingtoyourideasoftheconventions，asyouunderstandthem，andstrictlyinaccordancewithwhatyouconsidertherespectdueher。Ifyouhadfollowedthethingyoucallthe`promptingsofyourheart，’youwouldhavepickedherupbymainforceandbroughthertomybestward，insteadofmerelysuggestingitandgivingupwhenshesaidno。Ifyouhadfollowedyourheart，youwouldhavechokedthenameandamountoutofherandpaidthatdevilishdebt。Youwalkawayinacaselikethat，andthenhavethenervetocomehereandpratetomeaboutfollowingyourheart。I’llwagermylastdollaryourheartissorebecauseyouwerenotallowedtohelpher；butonthepropositionthatyoufolloweditspromptingsIwouldn’tstakeapenny。That’salltommy-rot！’’

``Itis，’’agreedtheHarvester。``Utter！Butwhatcanamando？’’

``Idon’tknowwhatyoucando！I’dhavepaidthatdebtandbroughthertothehospital。’’

``I’llgoandaskMrs。Careyaboutyourcourtship。I

wantherhelponthis，anyway。IcanpickupMissJamesonandbringherhereifanymancan，butsheisnursingasickwomanwhodependssolelyonherforcare。

Sheisaboveaveragesize，andshehasaverydecidedmindofherown。Idon’tthinkyouwoulduseforceanddowhatyouthinkbestforher，ifyouwereinmyplace。Youwouldwaituntilyouunderstoodthesituationbetter，andknewthatwhatyoudidwasforthebest，ultimately。’’

``Idon’tknowwhetherIwouldornot。Onethingissure:I’mmightygladyouhavefoundher。MayI

tellmywife？’’

``Pleasedo！AndaskherifImaydependonherifIneedawoman’shelp。NowI’llcalloffthevaliantpoliceandgohomeandtakeagood，soundsleep。Haven’thadmanysinceIfirstsawher。’’

SoBetsytrotteddownthevalley，uptheembankment，crossedtherailroad，overtheleveeacrossSingingWater，andupthehilltothecabin。Astheypassedit，theHarvesterjumpedfromthewagon，tossedthehitchingstraptoBelshazzar，andentered。Hewalkedstraighttoherdoor，unlockedit，anduncovering，wentinside。

Softlyhepassedfrompiecetopieceofthefurniturehehadmadeforher，andthensurveyedthewallsandfloor。

``Itisn’thalfgoodenough，’’hesaid，``butitwillhavetoansweruntilIcandobetter。SurelyshewillknowItriedandcareforthat，anyway。Iwonderhowlongitwilltakemetogetherhere。Oh，ifIonlycouldknowshewascomfortableandhappy！Happy！Shedoesn’tappearasifsheeverhadheardthatword。Wellthiswillbeagoodplacetoteachher。I’vealwaysenjoyedmyselfhere。I’mgoingtohavefaiththatIcanwinherandmakeherhappyalso。WhenIgotothestabletodomyworkforthenightifIcouldknowshewasinthiscabinandgladofit，andifIcouldhearherdownheresinginglikeahappycare-freegirl，I’dscarcelybeabletoendurethejoyofit。’’

CHAPTERIX

THEHARVESTERGOESCOURTING

``SheisonHenryJameson’sfarm，fourmileswestofOnabasha，’’saidtheHarvester，asheopenedhiseyesnextmorning，andlaidacaressinghandonBelshazzar’shead。``Attwoo’clockwearegoingtoseeher，andwearegoingtoprolongthevisittotheultimatelimit，soweshouldmakethingscountherebeforewestart。’’

Heworkedinamannerthataccomplishedmuch。Thereseemednoendtohisenergythatmorning。Despatchingtheusualroutine，hegatheredtheherbsthatwereready，spreadthemontheshelvesofthedry-house，foundtimetodoseveralthingsinthecabin，andpolishapieceoffurniturebeforeheatehislunchandhitchedBetsytothewagon。Healsohadrecoveredhisvoice，andtalkedalmostincessantlyasheworked。Whenitnearedtimetostarthedressedcarefully。HestoodbeforehisbookcaseandselectedseveralpamphletspublishedbytheDepartmentofAgriculture。Hewenttohisbedsandgatheredalargearmloadofplants。ThenhewasreadytomakehisfirsttriptoseetheDreamGirl，butitneveroccurredtohimthathewasgoingcourting。

Hehaddecidedfullythattherewouldbenousetotrytomakelovetoagirlmanifestlysoillandintrouble。

Thefirstthing，itappearedtohim，wastodispelthedepression，improvethehealth，andthendothelovemaking。So，inthemostbusiness-likemannerpossibleandwithoutashadeofembarrassment，theHarvestertookhisherbsandbooksandstartedfortheJamesonwoods。Attimesashedrovealongheespiedsomethingthatheusedgrowingbesidetheroadandstoppedtosecureaspecimen。

Hecamedowntheriverbankandreachedtheginsengbedathalf-pastone。Hewaspurposelyearly。Helaiddownhisbooksandplants，androlledthelogonwhichshesatthedaybeforetoamoreshadedlocation，whereabigtreewouldserveforabackrest。Hepulledawaybrushandwindfalls，heapeddrybrownleaves，andtrampedthemdownforherfeet。Thenhelaidthebooksonthelog，thearmloadofplantsbesidethem，andwenttotherivertowashhissoiledhands。

Belshazzar’sshortbarktoldhimtheGirlwascoming，andbetweenthetreeshesawthedogracetomeetherandshebenttostrokehishead。Sheworethesamedressandappearedevenpalerandthinner。TheHarvesterhurriedupthebank，wipinghishandsonhishandkerchief。

``Gladtoseeyou！’’hegreetedhercasually。``I’vefixedyouaseatwithabackrestto-day。Don’tbefrightenedatthestackofherbs。Youneedn’tgatherallofthose。Theyareonlysuggestions。Theyarejustcommonroadsideplantsthathavesomemedicinalvalueandareworthcollecting。Pleasetrymydavenport。’’

``Thankyou！’’shesaidasshedroppedonthelogandleanedherheadagainstthetree。Itappearedasifhereyesclosedafewsecondsinspiteofher，andwhiletheywereshuttheHarvesterlookedsteadilyandintentlyonafaceofexquisitebeauty，butsomarredbypallorandlinesofcarethatsearchwasrequiredtorecognizejusthowhandsomeshewas，andifhehadnotseenherinperfectioninthedreamtheHarvestermighthavemissedgloriouspossibilities。Tobringbackthatvisionwouldbeataskworthwhilewashisthought。WiththefirstfaintquiverofaneyelashtheHarvestertookafewstepsandbentoveraplant，andashedidsotheGirl’seyesfollowedhim。

Heappearedsotallandstrong，sobronzedbysummersunandwind，hisfacesokeenandintense，thatswiftfearcaughtherheart。Whywashethere？Whyshouldhetakesomuchtroubleforher？Withdifficultysherestrainedherselffromspringingupandrunningaway。

TurningwiththeplantinhishandtheHarvestersawthepanicinhereyes，andittroubledhisheart。Foraninstanthewasbewildered，thenheunderstood。

``Idon’twantyoutoworkwhenyouarenotable，’’hesaidinhismostmatter-of-factvoice，``butifyoustillthinkthatyouare，I’llbeveryglad。Ineedhelpjustnow，morethanIcantellyou，andthereseemtobesofewpeoplewhocanbetrusted。Gatheringstufffordrugsisreallyveryseriousbusiness。Yousee，I’veareputationtosustainwithsomeofthebiggestlaboratoriesinthecountry，nottomentionthefactthatIsometimestrycompoundinganewremedyforsomecommoncomplaintmyself。IrathertakeprideinthefactthatmystuffgoesinsofreshandcleanthatIalwaysgetanywherefromthreetotencentsapoundabovethelistedpricesforit。I

wantthatmoney，butIwantanunbrokenrecordfordoingajobrightandbeingsquareandcareful，muchmore。’’

Hethoughttheappearanceoffrightwasfading，andatingeofinteresttakingitsplace。Shewaslookingstraightathim，andashetalkedhecouldseehersummoninghertiredforcestounderstandandfollowhim，sohecontinued:

``Onewouldthinkthatasmedicinesarerequiredincasesoflifeanddeath，collectorswoulduseextremecaution，butsomeofthemarecriminallycareless。It’sacommonthingtogatheralmostanyfernformalefern；tothrowinanythingthatwillincreaseweight，towashimperfectly，andcommitmanyothersinsthatliewiththecollector；beyondthatIdon’tliketothink。Isupposetherearemenwhodeliberatelyadulteratepurestufftomakeitgofarther，butwhenitcomestodrugs，Iscarcelycanspeakofitcalmly。Iliketodoathingright。I

raisemostofmyplants，bushes，andherbs。Igatherexactlyinseason，washcarefullyifwaterdarebeused，cleanthemotherwiseifnot，anddrythembyahotairsysteminanevaporatorIbuiltpurposely。EachpackageIputupispurestuff，clean，properlydried，andfresh。IfIcaughtanymanintheactofadulteratinganyofitI’mafraidhewouldgethurtbadly——andusuallyIamapeaceableman。Iamexplainingthistoshowhowverycarefulyoumustbetokeepthingsseparateandcollecttherightplantsifyouaregoingtosellstufftome。Iamextremelyparticular。’’

TheGirlwasleaningtowardhim，watchinghisface，andherswasslowlychanging。Shewasdeeplyinterested，muchimpressed，andmoreatease。WhentheHarvestersawhehadtalkedherintoconfidencehecrossedtheleaves，andsittingonthelogbesideher，pickedupthebooksandopenedone。

``OhIwillbecareful，’’saidtheGirl。``Ifyouwilltrustmetocollectforyou，IwillundertakeonlywhatIamsureIknow，andI’lldoexactlyasyoutellme。’’

``Thereareadozenthingsthatbringapricerangingfromthreetofifteencentsapound，thatareinseasonjustnow。Isupposeyouwouldliketobeginonsomecommon，easythings，thatwillbringthemostmoney。’’

Withoutabreathofhesitationsheanswered，``Iwillcommenceonwhateveryouareshortofandneedmosttohave。’’

TheheartoftheHarvestergavealeapthatalmostchokedhim，forhewasvividlyconsciousofabrokenshoeshewashidingbeneathherskirts。Hewantedtosay``thankyou，’’buthewasafraidto，soheturnedtheleavesofthebook。

``Iamworkingjustnowonmullein，’’hesaid。

``OhIknowmullein，’’shecried，withalmostahintofanimationinhervoice。``Thetall，yellowflowerstemrisingfromacircleofgreenfeltleaves！’’

``Good！’’saidtheHarvester。``Whataprettywaytodescribeit！Doyouknowanymoreplants？’’

``Onlyafew！Ihadahigh-schoolcourseinbotany，butitwasallaboutflowerandleafformation，nothingatallofwhatanythingwasgoodfor。Ialsolearnedafew，drawingthemforleatherandembroiderydesigns。’’

``Lookhere！’’criedtheHarvester。``Icamewithanarmloadofherbsandexpectedtotellyouallaboutfoxglove，mullein，yarrow，jimson，purplethornapple，blessedthistle，hemlock，hoarhound，lobelia，andeverythinginseasonnow；butifyoualreadyhaveaprofession，whydoyouattemptanewone？Whydon’tyougoondrawing？Ineversawanythingsostupidasmostofthedesignsfromnatureforbookcoversanddecorations，leatherworkandpottery。Theyarethesameoldsubjectsworkedoverandover。Ifyoucandrawenoughtomakeoriginalcopies，Icanfurnishyouwithflowers，vines，birds，andinsects，new，unused，andofexquisitebeauty，foreverymonthintheyear。I’velookedintothematteralittle，becauseIamratherhandywithaknife，andIcarvecandlesticksfromsuitablepiecesofwood。Ialwayshavetroublegettingmydesignscopied；securingsomethingnewandunusual，never！Ifyoucandrawjustwellenoughtoreproducewhatyousee，gatheringdrugsistooslowandtiresome。

WhatyouwanttodoistoreproducethesubjectsI

willbring，andI’llbuywhatIwantinmywork，andselltheremainderattheartsandcraftsstoresforyou。