A Romance of Billy-Goat Hill

the inherited memory of his ancestors would have prompted him to turn twice to the right, once to the left, and pull up at a certain corner of the station platform. For the honor of being t

enjoying the distinctio

pride in, but in lieu of more important duties it had to serve. For the past six weeks the advent of city people at Thornwood had stirred up old ambitions

iving guests. Uncle Jimpson had inherited this tray along with an ambition that was not above buttons. Year after year he had descended with the descending Carsey fortunes, passing from the house to the horses, then

eye fell upon a strange object that stood in the door of the dining-room. It looked to Uncle Jimpso

in' animal," he observed. "

om. Uncle Jimpson tiptoed to the window and peered in. All that he could s

ody?" he whispered, motioning

's just enjoyin' the scenery on them railroad posters.

one button that was left on his linen coat, and dropping hi

does dis heah happe

id the lady

tole Carline-leastwise dat's what I'st gwi

ilver lorgnette. "Didn't they understan

ow gauges. Dey has to run slow to keep from fallin' offen de

t the city at ten

n den. De leben train don't

eeping to her feet. "Take me to the

is left foot, upon the trouser hem of which th

on't let go until she gets ready. You needn't be afraid of her

person used to the treacheries of oriental rugs on hardwood floors, followed. She was a woman of full figure and imp

ud-covered buggy, and the decr

inen duster over the wheel, and with a ges

she commanded. "The g

effen you want me to. But it won't stay up. No, mam, it won't stay. Looks lak in de las' two or three years

ght in the wheel, and gave vent to such a violent burst of temper t

e him a feeling of prosperity and importance, and made him straighten his back, crook his elbow, and even adopt a more formal manner with old John. He deeply regrett

emptorily. "What a view! I had no idea the

down to de bridge. All dis hill used to be our-alls. I 'member hearin' how Mr. Rogers

now? Who owns

. We been sellin'

ent out to-morrow to look into the matter. Colonel Carsey

ed the reins and l

it dat withered on de stalk; de trouble wif dem is dey git picked too soon. Ez fer Miss Lady's

rsey's relatives

eathin' soul but her paw, 'ceptin' me an' Carlin

going to liv

'stracted 'bout dat chile since she wuz a little girl. But she wuz so crazy 'bout her paw

id Mrs. Sequin, turning for a last glimpse.

ride, half in apology, as he skirted the holes in the road. "It don

ey of the premises, "all this front lawn ought to be terraced and have gra

e following the old gray wall that swept in a wide

d dramatically to the littl

s! Where did it come from

on, dat's a sideboard. Leastwise it wuz one 'fore I fixed it into a chicken coop. I took out

curved and have kn

-legged dan most chickens. Do y

on't happen to know of a good colored man around here, do you

the box seat of a grand Victoria, in a double-breasted coat and high hat, lightly shaking the reins across the backs of two sleek thorough

take care of her? Domestic infelicities had rendered him callou

ight. "I can't say ez I do, not jes' at present. Sometime I mi

er at a mouthful, but at Uncle Jimpson's stern reproof he snapped at a fly inst

und here an' stickin' out yer lip at white folks? Come on 'round back

ollows self-sacrifice, Uncle Jimpson limped aw