,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #f 
,BL9D1 BUT ,N[ ,I ,SEE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,B,L,9,D1 ,B,U,T ,N,[ ,I ,S,E,E 

,! M>K ( A GREAT MAN1 WAY ,H5RY FIGUR$ IT1 WAS 9 ! WAY HE'D GONE AB\T ?+S :ILE HE WAS /ILL LIV+1 & ! REPUTATION ?AT HE LEFT BEH9D :5 HE WAS GONE4 ,?AT'S :Y HE W]5'T SURPRIS$ TO F9D \T ?AT ,BILL ,CODY W\LD BE REPRES5T$ TO ,ET]NITY AS A RO(-ORNAM5T MADE \T ( GRUBBY /ONE ?AT BIRDS HAD DONE !IR BUS9ESS ON4 

,:5 HE'D GLANC$ UP & SE5 ! FACE RAIS$ FROM ! ORANGE BRICKWORK ON ! LA/ H\SE 9 ! R[1 C>V$ ON SOME SORT ( PLAQUE UP NE> ITS RO(1 AT FIR/ HE'D TOOK IT = ! ,LORD4 ,!RE WAS ! LONG HAIR & ! BE>D & :AT HE'D ?\<T TO BE A HALO1 !N HE'D SE5 IT WAS A C[BOY HAT IF Y\ WAS LOOK+ UP FROM UND]NEA? ! BRIM1 & IF ! FELL] HAD HIS HEAD TIPP$ BACK4 ,?AT'S :5 HE'D COTTON$ ON ?AT IT WAS ,BUFFALO ,BILL4 

,! R[ ( H\SES1 :AT !Y CALL$ A T]RACE1 HAD ! /REET \T FRONT & !N 9 BACK Y\ HAD A LOT ( ACRES ( GRE5 MEAD[ :]E !Y HELD ! RACES & :AT HAVE Y\4 ,!RE WAS ?IS %ORT LITTLE ALLEY RUNN+ FROM ! FRONT TO BACK :AT L$ \T ON ! RACETRACK GR\NDS1 & IT WAS UP ON ONE ( ! SLATE RO(TOPS OV]LOOK+ ?IS CUT-?R\< Y\ HAD ! FACE C>V$ ON ! WALL UP !RE4 ,H5RY HAD HE>D H[ ,CODY'S ,WILD ,WE/ ,%[ HAD COME H]E TO !SE RACE GR\NDS 9 ,NOR?AMPTON1 MAYBE FIVE OR T5 YE> E>LI] ?AN HE'D >RIV$ H]E 9 ! T[N HIMSELF1 :I* WAS 9 N9ETY-SEV54 ,ANNIE ,OAKLEY HAD BE5 DO+ H] P]=MANCE1 & SOME ,9DIAN BRAVES WAS !RE BY ALL ACC\NTS4 ,HE GUESS$ ONE ( ! WELL-(F PEOPLE LIV+ 9 !SE H\SES MU/ HAVE TOOK A %9E TO ,CODY & DECID$ H[ HE'D LOOK GOOD /UCK UP ON !Y RO(4 ,W]5'T NO?+ WRONG ) ?AT4 ,WAY ,H5RY SAW IT1 PEOPLE C\LD LIKE :AT !Y WANT$ TO1 SO LONG AS IT W]5'T NO?+ BAD4 

,?AT SAID1 ! C>V+ W]5'T ?AT MU* LIKE ,CODY1 NOT AS ,H5RY RECOLLECT$ FROM ! ONCE OR TWICE HE'D MET ! MAN4 ,?AT WAS A LONG TIME BACK1 ADMITT$1 UP 9 ,M>%ALL1 ,KANSAS1 \T ! BACK ROOM ( ,ELVIRA ,CONELY'S LAUNDRY :AT %E HAD4 ,?AT W\LD HAVE BE5 SEV5TY-FIVE1 SEV5TY-SIX1 SOME?+ LIKE ?AT1 :5 ,H5RY WAS A H&SOME Y\NG MAN 9 HIS MIDDLE TW5TIES1 EV5 ?\< HE SAID IT ALL HIMSELF4 ,?+ WAS1 HE HADN'T PAID ?AT MU* ATT5TION AT ! TIME TO ,BUFFALO ,BILL1 S9CE IT HAD BE5 ,ELVIRA HE'D BE5 MO/LY !RE TO LOOK AT4 ,ALL ! SAME1 HE DIDN'T ?9K ! ,WILLIAM ,CODY :AT HE'D KN[$ C\LD BE MI/OOK = ,JESUS ,*RI/ ,\R ,LORD1 NO MATT] H[ MU* Y\ WAS LOOK+ UP AT HIM FROM UND]NEA? OR H[ MU* HE WAS /&+ ) HIS HAT TIPP$ BACK4 ,HE'D BE5 A VA9 MAN1 OR AT LEA/ ?AT HAD BE5 ,H5RY'S [N IMPRESSION1 IF ! TRU? W]E TO BE TOLD4 ,HE D\BT$ ?AT ,ELVIRA W\LD HAVE HUNG >\ND ) ,CODY IF IT HADN'T BE5 IMPORTANT TO ! WAY H[ %E WAS SE5 9 ,M>%ALL4 ,COLOR$ WOM5 C\LDN'T HAVE TOO MANY WELL-KN[N :ITE FRI5DS4 

,H5RY PU%$ HIS BICYCLE & C>T ALONG ! COBBL$ ALLEY FROM ! RACETRACK1 ) ! ROPES HE HAD >\ND ! :EEL-RIMS CRUN*+ ?R\< ! LEAVES :AT WAS ALL HEAP$ UP 9 ! GUTT]S4 ,HE TOOK ONE LA/ GLANCE AT ,COLONEL ,CODY1 :]E ! SMOKE FROM \T A NE>BY *IMNEY MADE IT LOOK AS IF HE'D GOT HIS HAT ON FIRE1 !N CLIMB$ UP ON ! SADDLE ) HIS BRAKE-BLOCKS ON HIS FEET & />T$ BACK ?R\< ALL ! SIDE-/REETS = ! BIG MA9 ROAD :AT W5T WAY \T TO ,KETT]+1 & :AT W\LD TAKE HIM BACK TO ! T[N C5T] ( ,NOR?AMPTON4 

,HE'D NOT WANT$ TO COME UP ?IS WAY TODAY1 S9CE HE WAS PLANN+ = TO RIDE >\ND ! VILLAGES \T ON ! S\?-EA/ SIDE ( T[N4 ,!RE WAS A MAN HE'D MET1 ?\<1 SAID !RE WAS GOOD SLATE TILES 9 AN IRON-RAIL$ BACK Y>D (F ! RACETRACK :]E A %$ WAS ALL FELL 91 BUT HE'D TURN$ \T TO BE A FOOL & ALL ! TILES W]E BROKE & W]5'T WOR? NO?+4 ,H5RY SI<$1 P$AL+ \T ( ,HOOD ,/REET & D[NHILL T[>DS ! T[N1 !N ?\<T ?AT HE'D DO WELL TO BUCK HIS IDEAS UP & QUIT COMPLA9+4 ,IT W]5'T LIKE ! DAY WAS WA/$4 ,9 ! EA/ ! SUN WAS BIG & SC>LET1 HUNG L[ 9 A MILKY FOG ?AT W\LD BURN (F ONCE ! ,SEPTEMB] MORN+ WOKE ITSELF UP PROP]LY & W5T AB\T ITS BUS9ESS4 ,HE'D /ILL GOT ! TIME TO /RIKE \T :]E HE WANT$ & BE BACK D[N ,SC>LETWELL BE=E ! EV5+ SETTL$ 94 

,HE DIDN'T NE$ TO DO NO P$AL+1 H>DLY1 HEAD+ 9TO T[N ALONG ! ,KETT]+ ,ROAD4 ,ALL ,H5RY NE$$ DO WAS ROLL D[NHILL & T\* HIS BRAKE BLOCKS ON ! /REET ONCE 9 A :ILE1 SO ?AT HE DIDN'T GET UP TOO MU* SPE$ & %AKE HIS TROLLEY :AT HE PULL$ BEH9D HIM ALL TO BITS UPON ! COBBLE /ONES4 ,! H\SES & ! %OPS ) ALL !Y SIGNS & W9D[S FL[$ BY ON EA* SIDE ( HIM LIKE RIV]-DRIFT AS HE W5T RATTL+ D[N 9TO ! C5T]4 ,PRETTY MU* HE HAD ! :OLE ROAD TO HIMSELF1 IT BE+ E>LY LIKE IT WAS4 ,A LITTLE FUR!R ON !RE WAS A /REETC> HEAD$ 9TO T[N ! SAME WAY HE WAS GO+1 JU/ A C\PLE PEOPLE ON ITS UP/AIRS !RE1 & COM+ UP ! HILL T[>DS HIM WAS A FELL] HAD A C>T AS HE WAS PU%+ GOT ALL *IMNEY BRU%ES ON4 ,BESIDES ?AT1 ONE OR TWO FOLKS WAS >\ND1 \T ) !Y ]R&S ON ! SIDEWALK4 ,!RE WAS AN OLD LADY LOOK$ SURPRIS$ :5 ,H5RY CYCL$ PA/ H]1 & TWO FELL]S WE>+ CAPS SEEM$ LIKE !Y ON !Y WAY TO WORK />$ AT HIM H>D1 BUT HE'D BE5 R\ND !SE P>TS TOO LONG TO PAY IT ANY M9D4 ,HE LIK$ IT BETT]1 ?\<1 D[N :]E HE WAS 9 ,SC>LETWELL4 ,! FOLKS !RE1 PL5TY ( !M1 WAS WORSE (F ?AN HE WAS SO HE'D GOT NOBODY LOOK+ D[N ON HIM1 & :5 !Y SE5 HIM RID+ R\ND !Y'D ALL JU/ %\T \T1 0,HEY1 ,BLACK ,*>LEY4 ,H['S Y\R LUCK80 & ?AT WAS ?AT4 

,!RE WAS A LITTLE BREEZE N[1 /RUMM+ ON ! /REETC> L9ES /RUNG OV]HEAD :ILE HE W5T UND] !M4 ,HE ROLL$ R\ND BY ! *UR* !RE ON ! ,GROVE ,ROAD CORN] TO HIS RI<T & SW]V$ TO MISS SOME HORSE-%IT :AT WAS LY+ 9 ! /REET AS HE COME 9 T[>DS ! SQU>E4 ,HE MADE ANO!R B5D :5 HE W5T BY ! ,UNIT>IAN *APEL ON ! O!R SIDE1 & !N IT WAS ALL %OPS & PUBLIC H\SES & ! BIG OLD LEA!R W>EH\SE :AT !Y HAD 9 BACK ( ,MR4 ,BRADLAU<'S /ATUE4 ,LEA!R WAS IMPORTANT TO ! TRADE R\ND H]E & ALWAYS HAD BE51 BUT IT /ILL MADE ,H5RY %AKE HIS HEAD H[ O!RWISE ! T[N WAS MO/LY B>S & *UR*ES4 ,C\LD BE IT WAS ALL ?AT /IT*+ %OES HAD FOLKS SO ?AT !Y SP5T !Y PRIVATE TIME 9 GETT+ LIQUOR$ UP OR PRAY+4 

,SOMEBODY WAS EV5 DRUNK ASLEEP 9 ! RAIL$-(F GR\ND ?AT WAS R\ND ! BLOCK ! /ATUE /OOD ON :5 HE P$AL$ PA/ IT ON ! LEFT ( HIM4 ,HE DIDN'T ?9K ,MR4 ,*>LES ,BRADLAU< W\LD APPROVE ( ?AT IF HE WAS LOOK+ D[N FROM ,HEAV51 :AT ) HIM BE+ SO =?RI<T 9 HIS VIEWS ON ALCOHOL1 BUT !N S9CE ,MR4 ,BRADLAU< HADN'T HAD NO FAI? 9 ! ,ALMI<TY IT WAS LIKELY ?AT HE'D NOT APPROVE ( ,HEAV5 NEI!R4 ,BRADLAU< WAS SOMEBODY ,H5RY C\LDN'T GET TO GRIPS ) OR MAKE UP HIS M9D AB\T4 ,MAN WAS AN A!I/ !RE ON ! ONE H&1 & TO ,H5RY'S M9D AN A!I/ WAS JU/ ANO!R WAY ( SAY+ FOOL4 ,!N ON ! O!R H& Y\ HAD ! WAY HE WAS AGA9/ /RONG DR9K1 :I* ,H5RY C\LD ADMIRE1 & H[ HE'D /OOD UP = ! COLOR$ FOLKS 9 ,9DIA :5 HE W]5'T /&+ UP = ALL ! POOR FOLKS H]E AT HOME4 ,HE'D SPOKE HIS M9D & DONE :AT HE CONSID]$ ! RI<T ?+1 ,H5RY SUPPOS$4 ,BRADLAU< HAD BE5 A GOOD MAN & ! ,LORD W\LD POSSIBLY =GIVE ! A!ISM :5 ALL ?AT WAS TOOK 9TO ACC\NT1 SO ,H5RY FIGUR$ H[ HE \<T TO LET IT GO BY TOO4 ,! MAN DES]V$ HIS F9E :ITE /ATUE ) ITS F+] PO9T+ WE/ TO ,WALES & ! ,ATLANTIC ,SEA & TO ,AM]ICA BEYOND1 :ILE 9 ! SAME S5SE Y\ C\LD SAY ?AT ,BUFFALO ,BILL DES]V$ HIS %ABBY PIECE ( /ONE4 ,JU/ 'CAUSE A FELL] SAID HE W]5'T NO ,*RI/IAN DIDN'T /OP HIM ACT+ LIKE ONE1 & AL?\< HE DIDN'T LIKE TO ?9K IT1 HE C\LD SEE H[ SOMETIMES ! REV]SE ( ?AT WAS TRUE AS WELL4 

,HE W5T ON PA/ ! %OP :AT HAD ! ,CADBURY'S *OCOLATE & ! SIGN = ,/ORTON'S ,LUNGWORT PA9T$ ON ! WALL UP TOP4 ,HE'D HAD SOME TR\BLE C\<+ LATELY & HE ?\<T IT C\LD BE HE %\LD MAYBE TRY A LITTLE ( ?AT /UFF1 IF IT W]5'T TOO EXP5SIVE4 ,NEXT Y\'D GOT ! /ORE :AT HAD ! LADIES' ?+S1 !N ,MR4 ,BRUGG]'S PLACE ) ALL ! CLOCKS & POCKET-WAT*ES 9 ITS W9D[4 ,UP AHEAD ( HIM HE'D NE>LY CAU<T UP TO ! /REETC>1 :I* HE SAW N[ WAS ! NUMB] SIX :AT W5T D[N TO ,/4 ,JAMES'S ,5D1 :AT !Y CALL$ ,JIMMY'S ,5D4 ,!RE WAS A PAID ADV]TISEM5T UP ON ! RE> ( IT = SOME 5L>G+ SPECTACLES1 ) TWO BIG R\ND EYES UND]NEA? ! BUS9ESS NAME :AT MADE IT LOOK AS ?\< ! BACKSIDE ( ! /REETC> HAD A FACE4 ,IT REA*$ ! CROSSROADS !Y W]E NE>+ & W5T /RAI<T ACROSS ) ITS BELL CLANG+1 />+ BACK T[>DS HIM LIKE IT WAS SURPRIS$ OR SC>$ AS IT W5T ON D[N ,AB+TON ,/REET !RE1 :ILE HE TURN$ LEFT & COA/$ D[N ,YORK ,ROAD 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! HOSPITAL1 T\*+ HIS WOOD BLOCKS ON ! COBBLES EV]Y N[ & !N TO SL[ HIM D[N4 

,!RE WAS ANO!R CROSSROADS BY ! HOSPITAL D[N HALFWAY1 ) ! R\TE :AT W5T ON \T T[>DS ,GREAT ,BILL+4 ,HE W5T OV] IT & C>RI$ ON D[NHILL ! WAY :AT HE WAS GO+4 ,ON ! CORN] ( ! HOSPITAL'S FRONT Y>D AS HE W5T PA/ IT1 NE> ! /ATUE ( ! ,K+'S HEAD :AT !Y HAD !RE1 SOME Y\NG BOYS WAS LAU<+ AT HIS :EELS ) ALL ! ROPE ON4 ,ONE ( !M YELL$ \T ?AT HE %\LD HAVE A BA?1 BUT ,H5RY MADE \T LIKE HE DIDN'T HE> & W5T ON D[N TO ,BECKETT'S ,P>K1 AS US$ TO BE ,C[ ,MEAD[4 ,IGNORANT WAS :AT !Y W]E1 BRUNG UP BY IGNORANT FOLK4 ,PAID NO ATT5TION !Y'D MOVE ON & F9D SOME O!R FOOL ?+ !Y C\LD LAU< AT4 ,!Y W]5'T GO+ TO /R+ HIM UP OR %OOT HIM1 & 9 ?AT CASE F> AS ,H5RY WAS CONC]N$ AB\T IT1 !Y C\LD %\T \T :AT ! HECK !Y LIK$4 ,SO LONG AS HE W]5'T BO!R$ NONE !N ALL !Y DID WAS MAKE !Y [N SELVES LOOK LIKE HALFWITS1 F> AS HE C\LD SEE4 

,HE TOOK A LEFT TURN AT ! BOTTOM1 CURV+ R\ND BY ! OLD YELL[ /ONE WALL & 9TO ! ,B$=D ,ROAD JU/ OV] FROM ! P>K1 :]E HE T\*$ D[N HIS WOOD5 BLOCKS & FET*$ HIS BICYCLE & C>T UP AT ! DR9K+ F\NTA9 :AT WAS SET BACK 9 A RECESS !RE4 ,HE CLIMB$ D[N (F HIS SADDLE & HE LEAN$ ! :OLE AFFAIR AGA9/ ! WEA!R-BEAT OLD /ONES1 ) ALL ! D&ELIONS GR[$ \T FROM 9 BETWE51 :ILE HE /EPP$ TO ! WELL & TOOK A DR9K4 ,IT W]5'T ?AT HE WAS ?IR/Y1 BUT IF HE WAS D[N H]E !N HE LIK$ TO TAKE A FEW SIPS ( ! WAT]1 JU/ = LUCK4 ,?IS WAS ! PLACE !Y SAID ,SA9T ,?OMAS ,BECKET QU5*$ HIS ?IR/ :5 HE COME ?R\< ,NOR?AMPTON AGES S9CE1 & ?AT WAS GOOD 5\< = ,H5RY4 

,DUCK+ D[N 9TO ! ALCOVE1 ,H5RY PRESS$ ONE PALE PALM ON ! WORN BRASS SPIGOT1 ) HIS O!R CUPP$ TO CAT* ! TWI/$ SILV] /REAM & SCOOP IT TO HIS LIPS1 AN ACTION HE REPEAT$ ?REE OR F\R TIMES 'TIL HE'D GOT A PROP] M\?FUL4 ,IT WAS GOOD1 & HAD ! TA/E ( /ONE & BRASS & HIS [N F+]S4 ,H5RY RECKON$ ?AT AM\NT$ TO A SA9TLY FLAVOR4 ,WIP+ A WET H& ON ONE LEG ( HIS %9Y PANTS HE /RAI<T5$ UP & CLIMB$ BACK ON ! BICYCLE1 /OOD 9 HIS SEAT TO GET ! ?+ 9 MOTION4 ,HE SAIL$ S\?-EA/ ON ! ,B$=D ,ROAD1 ) FIR/ ! P>K & ALL ITS TREES ACROSS FROM HIM & !N ! EMPTY FIELDS /RET*$ TO ! ABBEY \T AT ,DELAPRE4 ,! WALLS & CORN]S ( ,NOR?AMPTON FELL AWAY BEH9D LIKE WEI<TS FROM (F HIS BACK1 & ALL HE HAD WAS FLAT GRASS BETWE5 HIM & ! TOY VILLAGES (F 9 ! HAZE ( ! HORIZON4 ,CL\DS WAS PIL$ LIKE MA%$ POTATO 9 BLUE GRAVY1 & ,BLACK ,*>LEY F\ND ?AT HE WAS :I/L+ SOME ,S\SA :ILE HE W5T ALONG4 

,! M>*+ MUSIC MADE HIM ?9K ( ,BUFFALO ,BILL AGA91 S\ND+ ALL PUFF$ UP LIKE IT DID1 :I* L$ HIM BACK TO ?\<TS ( ,KANSAS & ,ELVIRA ,CONELY4 ,GREAT ,LORD1 ?AT WOMAN HAD SOME SPIRIT 9 H]1 SETT+ UP H] LAUNDRY !RE 9 ,M>%ALL WAY AHEAD ( ! GREAT EXODUS & DO+ AS WELL AS %E DID4 ,%E'D KN[$ ,BILL ,HICKOK TOO1 BUT ,HICKOK HAD BE5 9 HIS GRAVE BY ! LATE EI<TE5-SEV5TIES :5 ,H5RY & HIS P>5TS GOT TO ! ,MIDWE/4 ,FROM H[ ,ELVIRA SPOKE AB\T ! FELL]1 Y\ GOT ! IMPRESSION ?AT ,WILD ,BILL HAD HAD A LOT ( GOOD 9 HIM1 & ?AT HIS REPUTATION WAS DES]V$4 ,M9D Y\1 9 PRIVATE & AMONG H] [N K9D1 %E'D ADMIT ?AT ,BRITTON ,JOHNSON1 :O %E'D ALSO KN[$ & :O WAS ALSO DEAD BY ?AT TIME1 C\LD HAVE %OT ! PANTS (F ,WILD ,BILL ,HICKOK4 ,IT HAD TOOK A BUN* ( TW5TY-FIVE ,COMAN*E W>RIORS TO BR+ ,BRITTON ,JOHNSON D[N1 Y\ NEV] M9D AB\T NO LONE DRUNK & NO LUCKY %OT 9 SOME SALOON4 ,YET EV5 LITTLE *ILDR5 OV] H]E1 !Y KNEW ( ,BUFFALO ,BILL & ,WILD ,BILL ,HICKOK BUT NOBODY EV] HE>D ( ,JOHNSON & Y\ DIDN'T HAVE TO ?9K AB\T IT LONG TO FIGURE :Y ?AT WAS4 ,LOOK$ LIKE A ,PH>AOH1 H[ ,ELVIRA SPOKE ( HIM4 ,LOOK$ F9E )\T HIS %IRT ON WAS H] EXACT WORDS4 

,UPHILL & ON ! LEFT ( HIM1 ACROSS ! F5C$-(F GRASS & ! BLACK SPREADS ( WOODL&1 ,H5RY C\LD AB\T MAKE \T ! RO(TOPS ( ! FANCY HOSPITAL !Y'D GOT UP !RE = PEOPLE :O WAS TR\BL$ 9 !Y M9DS & C\LD AF=D ! R5T4 ,= !M :AT C\LDN'T1 !RE WAS :AT Y\ CALL$ A WORKH\SE 9 ! OLD ,SA9T ,$MUND'S P>I%1 \T ! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD1 OR ELSE ! ,B]RY ,WOOD ASYLUM R\ND ! TURN !RE ON ! WAY ?R\< ,DU/ON4 ,LEAV+ IT BEH9D HIM1 ,H5RY P$AL$ H>D] :]E A BRIDGE BULG$ UP ABOVE A RIV] TRIBUT>Y1 & HAD A TICKLE 9 HIS BELLY LIKE HE'D GOT NO WEI<T :5 HE %OT D[N ! O!R SIDE & ON T[>DS ,GREAT ,H\<TON4 ,HE WAS ?9K+ ( ,ELVIRA /ILL1 ADMIR+ H] 9 A MORE UND]/&+ & RESPECTFUL FA%ION ?AN ! WAY :AT HE'D ADMIR$ H] 9 HIS Y\NG] DAYS4 

',C\RSE1 %E'D BE5 ONLY ONE ( ! \T/&+ GALS !Y HAD 9 ?OSE P>TS R\ND ?AT TIME1 BUT %E'D BE5 FIR/1 UPP+ TO ,KANSAS ON H] [N 9 SIXTY-EI<T1 & ,H5RY ?\<T A LOT ( !M GOOD WOM5 WAS JU/ FOLL[+ ,ELVIRA'S LEAD1 NOT ?AT IT TOOK AWAY FROM :AT !Y DID4 ,!RE WAS ,MISS ,/4 ,PI]RE ,RUFF9 HELP+ FOLKS ) CA% FROM H] ,RELIEF ,ASSOCIATION4 ,!RE WAS ,MRS4 ,C>T]1 ,H5RY ,C>T]'S MISSUS1 TALK$ H] HUSB& 9TO WALK+ ) H] ALL ! WAY FROM ,T5NESSEE1 HIM C>RY+ ! TOOLS & H] ! BLANKETS4 ,?9K+ ( IT1 IT HAD MO/LY BE5 ! WOM5 WAS BEH9D ! :OLE MIGRATION1 EV5 :5 !IR M5-FOLK %RUGG$ IT (F & MADE \T !Y WAS JU/ F9E :]E !Y WAS4 ,H5RY C\LD SEE N[ :AT HE HADN'T SE5 BACK !N1 H[ ?AT WAS 'CAUSE ! WOM5 HAD ! WOR/ ( IT D[N 9 ! ,S\?1 :AT ) ! RAPES & HAV+ TO BR+ UP !Y *ILDR5 ) ALL ?AT4 ,H5RY'S [N MAMA HAD TOLD ,H5RY'S POPPA H[ IF HE W]5'T MAN 5\< TO GET HIS WIFE & SON TO SOME PLACE SAFE & DEC5T1 !N %E'D JU/ TAKE ,H5RY & LI<T \T = ,KANSAS ON H] [N4 ,SAID H[ %E'D WALK !RE LIKE ! ,C>T]S IF NE$S BE1 AL?\< :5 ,H5RY'S PA HAD F9ALLY REL5T$ !Y'D GONE 9 A WAGON SAME AS EV]YBODY ELSE4 ,CONSID]+ ?OSE TIMES MADE ,H5RY'S %\LD] IT* ! WAY IT ALWAYS DID1 SO ?AT HE TOOK ONE H& FROM (F ! H&LEB> TO SCRAT* IT ?R\< HIS JACKET & HIS %IRT ! BE/ HE C\LD4 

,A WAT]MILL W5T BY HIM ON HIS RI<T1 DUCKS HONK+ AS !Y TOOK UP FROM A CLOSE-BY POND :]E ALL ! MORN+ LI<T FROM (F IT WAS TOO BRI<T TO LOOK AT4 ,%]IDAN NE> ,M>%ALL HAD BE5 :]E ,ELVIRA ,CONELY HAD MADE H] HOME AFT] %E BROKE UP ) ! SOLDI] FELL] %E WAS M>RI$ TO \T 9 ,/4 ,L\IS4 ,BACK 9 !M DAYS ,%]IDAN HAD BE5 CONSID]$ WORSE ?AN ,DODGE = ALL ITS GAMBL+ & MURD]S & LOOSE WOM51 BUT ,ELVIRA C>RI$ H]SELF LIKE A QUE51 /RAI<T-BACK$ & TALL & BLACK AS EBONY4 ,:5 LAT] ON %E TOOK UP AS ! GOV]NESS = RI* OLD ,MR4 ,BULL>D & HIS FAMILY1 ,BULL>D'S *ILDR5 PUT IT ALL AB\T H[ %E WAS K9 TO ROYALTY FROM ,AFRICA OR SOME SU*1 & ,ELVIRA NEV] SAID OR DID A ?+ :AT C\LD BE HELD TO CONTRADICT ?AT4 ,LA/ HE'D HE>D %E WAS 9 ,ILL9OIS1 & ,H5RY HOP$ ?AT %E WAS DO+ F9E4 

,HE W5T ON ) ! CLIMB+ SUN BE=E HIM & ! ROADSIDE PUDDLES FLA%+ 9 HIS EYES4 ,! %AD[S FROM ! MOV+ CL\D-BANKS SLIPP$ ACROSS ! %AGGY FIELDS A LITTLE AT A TIME AS ?\< ! SUMM] WAS ON ITS LA/ LEGS1 UN%AV$ & /AGG]+ LIKE A BUM4 ,WE$S 9 ! DIT*ES HAD BOIL$ UP & SPILL$ 9TO ! ROAD OR SWALL[$ F5CE-PO/S :OLE1 :]E DY+ BEES WAS /UMBL+ 9 ! DY+ HONEYSUCKLE1 TRY+ TO DRAG ! SEASON \T A LITTLE LONG] & NOT LET IT SLIP AWAY4 ,UPON HIS RI<T HE PASS$ ! N>R[ LANE :AT W\LD HAVE TOOK HIM D[N TO ,H>D+/ONE & P$AL$ ON ALONG ! TOP SIDE ( ,GREAT ,H\<TON1 :]E HE MET A C\PLE F>M C>TS GO+ BY ! O!R WAY ALL LOAD$ UP ) /RAW4 ,! FELL] ON ! BOX ( ! FIR/ WAGON LOOK$ AWAY FROM ,H5RY LIKE HE DIDN'T WANT TO LET ON HE C\LD EV5 SEE HIM1 BUT ! SECOND C>T WAS DRIV5 BY A R$-FAC$ F>M] :AT KNEW ,H5RY FROM HIS PREVI\S VISITS TO ?OSE P>TS & RE9$ HIS HORSE UP1 GR9N+ AS HE /OPP$ TO SAY HELLO4 

0,:Y1 ,*>LEY1 Y\ BLACK BUGG]4 ,>E Y\M COME R\ND H]E TO /EAL US VALUABLES AGA98 ,AH1 IT'S A WOND] WE'M GOT TWO /ICKS TO US NAME1 ) ALL ?AT PLUND] :AT Y\M 'AD ALREADY40 

,H5RY LAU<$4 ,HE LIK$ ! MAN1 :OSE NAME WAS ,BOB1 & KNEW AS ,BOB LIK$ HIM4 ,! MAK+ FUN ( PEOPLE1 IT WAS JU/ A WAY !Y HAD R\ND H]E ( SAY+ Y\ WAS CLOSE 5\< TO HAVE A JOKE TOGE!R1 & SO HE CAME BACK 9 K9D4 

0,WELL1 N[1 Y\ KN[ ,I GOT MY EYE ON ?AT GOLD ?RONE O' Y\R'N1 ?AT BIG ONE :AT Y\ SIT 9 :5 Y\ GOT ! S]VANTS BR++ 9 ! V5ISON & ?AT40 

,BOB RO>$ SO L\D HE SC>$ HIS M>E4 ,ONCE %E WAS SETTL$ D[N AGA91 ! TWO M5 ASK$ EA* O!R H[ !Y WIVES & FAMILIES WAS KEEP+ & SU* ?+S AS ?AT1 !N %OOK EA* O!R BY ! H& & C>RI$ ON !Y 9DIVIDUAL WAYS4 ,9 ,H5RY'S CASE1 IT WASN'T F> BE=E HE MADE A RI<T TURN D[N ,GREAT ,H\<TON'S HI< /REET1 PA/ ! S*OOLH\SE ) BLACKB]RY H$GES HANG+ OV] ITS FRONT WALL4 ,HE W5T ALONG BESIDE ! VILLAGE *UR* !N /E]$ HIS BICYCLE 9TO ! PURSE-BAG CLOSE :AT HAD ! RECTORY1 :]E ! OLD LADY :O KEPT H\SE W\LD SOMETIME GIVE HIM ?+S %E DIDN'T WANT NO MORE4 ,CLIMB+ D[N (F HIS SADDLE1 ,H5RY ?\<T ! RECTORY LOOK$ GR&1 ! WAY ! LI<T CAU<T ON ITS R\< BR[N /ONES & ON ! IVY FANN$ \T 9 A GRE5 W+ UP ABOVE ITS 5TRANCEWAY4 ,! CLOSE WAS %AD$ BY AN OAK TREE SO ?AT SUN FELL ?R\< ! LEAVES LIKE BURN+ JIGSAW PIECES SCATT]$ ON ! COBBLES & ! PA?S4 ,BIRDS HOPP+ R\ND UP 9 ! BRAN*ES DIDN'T ACT CONC]N$ OR /OP !Y S++ :5 HE LIFT$ UP ! IRON KNOCK] ) A LION'S HEAD ON & LET IT FALL ON ! BIG BLACK-PA9T$ DOOR4 

,! WOMAN1 :O HE KNEW AS ,MRS4 ,BRUCE1 ANSW]$ HIS KNOCK & SEEM$ LIKE %E WAS PLEAS$ TO SEE HIM4 ,%E ASK$ ,H5RY 91 SO LONG AS HE C\LD LEAVE HIS BOOTS ON ! FRONT /EP1 & MADE HIM TAKE A CUP ( WEAK TEA & A PLATE ( LITTLE S&WI*ES !RE ) H] 9 ! P>LOR :ILE %E LOOK$ \T ALL ! BITS & PIECES :AT %E'D PUT ASIDE4 ,HE DIDN'T KN[ :Y :5 HE ?\<T ( ,MRS4 ,BRUCE HE ?\<T ( H] AS AN OLD LADY1 = ! TRU? WAS ?AT %E C\LDN'T BE MU* OLD] ?AN :AT ,H5RY WAS HIMSELF1 ?AT BE+ NE> ON SIXTY YE>S ( AGE4 ,H] HAIR WAS :ITE AS SN[1 BUT SO WAS HIS1 & HE BELIEV$ IT MI<T BE H[ %E ACT$ ) HIM MADE HIM ?9K ( H] AS OLD1 ) SOME?+ 9 H] MANN] LIKE TO ?AT ( ,H5RY'S MO!R4 ,%E WAS SMIL+ :ILE %E P\R$ HIM \T HIS TEA & ASK$ HIM ?+S AB\T RELIGION LIKE %E ALWAYS DID4 ,%E WAS A *UR*GO] LIKE HIM1 EXCEPT ?AT ,MRS4 ,BRUCE WAS 9 ! *OIR4 ,%E TOLD HIM ALL ! FAVORITE HYMNS %E'D GOT AS %E W5T BACK & =? AB\T ! ROOM & GA!R$ UP ! WORN-\T CLO!S !RE W]E :AT HE C\LD HAVE4 

0 ',! ,DAY ,?\ ,GAVE/1 ,LORD1 ,IS ,5D$'4 ,!RE'S ANO!R ONE ,I LIKE4 ,DID !Y S+ HYMNS BACK :]E Y\ COME FROM1 ,MR4 ,GEORGE80 

,L[]+ ! DOLL-H\SE *9A FROM HIS LIPS1 ,H5RY AGRE$ !Y DID4 

0,YES1 MA'AM4 ,WE DIDN'T HAVE NO *UR*1 ?\<1 SO MY FOLKS W\LD S+ :ILE !Y WAS WORK+ OR ELSE R\ND ! FIRESIDE ( AN EV5+4 ,I SURE LOV$ !M SONGS4 ,!Y US$ TO S5D ME (F TO SLEEP AT NI<T40 

,SMOO?+ ! DOILIES OR :ATEV] !Y WAS ON H] *AIR->MS1 ,MRS4 ,BRUCE PE]$ AT HIM ) A SORRY LOOK UPON H] FACE4 

0,Y\ POOR S\L4 ,WAS !RE ONE ?AT Y\ LIK$ BETT] ?AN ! O!RS80 

,H5RY *UCKL$ AS HE NODD$1 SETT+ D[N HIS EMPTY CUP 9 ITS :ITE SAUC]4 

0,MA'AM1 = ME !RE A9'T BUT ONE TUNE 9 ! RUNN+4 ,IT WAS ?AT ',AMAZ+ ,GRACE' ,I LIK$ ! BE/1 ,I DON'T KN[ IF Y\ HE>D IT80 

,! OLD LADY BEAM$1 DELI<T$4 

0,OOH1 YES1 ?AT'S A LOVELY SONG4 ',H[ SWEET ! S\ND1 ?AT SAV$ A WRET* LIKE ME4' ,OOH1 YES1 ,I KN[ ?AT4 ,LOVELY40 

,%E LOOK$ UP T[>DS ! PICTURE RAIL A LITTLE D[N BEL[ ! CEIL+ !RE & FR[N$ LIKE %E WAS TRY+ TO ?9K ( SOME?+4 

0,DO Y\ KN[1 ,I ?9K ! *AP :O WROTE IT LIV$ NOT F> FROM H]E1 UNLESS ,I'VE MIX$ HIM UP ) SOMEONE ELSE4 ,JOHN ,NEWTON1 N[ WAS ?AT HIS NAME8 ,OR WAS IT ,NEWTON :O *OPP$ D[N ! APPLE TREE & SAID HE C\LDN'T TELL A LIE80 

,AFT] HE'D LET ?AT ONE S9K 9 A :ILE & PUZZL$ IT ALL ?R\< HE TOLD H] ?AT TO HIS BE/ UND]/&+1 IT HAD BE5 A MAN NAM$ ,NEWTON :O SAT UND]NEA? AN APPLE TREE & FIGUR$ \T FROM ?AT :Y ?+S FELL D[N 9/EAD ( UP4 ,! FELL] :O'D SAID H[ HE C\LDN'T TELL A LIE1 ?AT WAS ,GEORGE ,WA%+TON ! PRESID5T1 & F> AS ,H5RY KNEW IT WAS A *]RY TREE :AT HE'D CUT D[N4 ,%E LI/5$1 NODD+4 

0,AH4 ,?AT'S :]E ,I'D GOT IT WRONG4 ,HIS PEOPLE CAME FROM R\ND H]E SOME:]E1 TOO1 ?AT ,G5]AL ,WA%+TON4 ,! ONE :O WROTE ',AMAZ+ ,GRACE'1 ?AT W\LD BE ,MR4 ,NEWTON4 ,AS ,I HE>D IT TOLD1 HE US$ TO BE ! P>SON UP ! ROAD AT ,OLNEY1 ?\< ,I %\LDN'T SWE> TO IT40 

,H5RY FELT /IRR$ UP BY ?IS 9 A MANN] :AT SURPRIS$ HIM4 ,HE'D BE5 S9C]E :5 HE'D SAID IT WAS HIS FAVORITE SONG1 & NOT JU/ TRY+ TO SWEET5 ! OLD LADY4 ,HE RECALL$ ! WOM5 S++ IT \T 9 ! FIELDS1 HIS MAMA !RE AMONG !M1 & IT SEEM$ LIKE HALF HIS LIFE HAD BE5 CAU<T UP 9 ITS REFRA94 ,HE'D HE>D IT SUNG S9CE HE'D BE5 9 HIS CRADLE1 & HE'D ?\<T IT MU/ HAVE BE5 A BLACK MAN'S TUNE FROM LONG AGO1 LIKE IT HAD ALWAYS BE5 !RE4 ,F9D+ \T AB\T ?IS ,PA/OR ,NEWTON FAIR MADE ,H5RY'S HEAD SP91 JU/ TO ?9K H[ F> HE'D COME S9CE HE FIR/ HE>D ?AT SONG1 ONLY TO W9D UP QUITE BY ACCID5T UPON ! DOOR/EP ( ! MAN :AT WROTE IT4 

,HE'D NEV] BE5 EXACTLY SURE :Y HIM & HIS ,SEL9A HAD FELT SU* AN URGE TO SETTLE 9 ,NOR?AMPTON & RAISE *ILDR51 AFT] !Y'D COME H]E ON ?AT BIG %EEP-DRIVE \T FROM ,WALES1 WORK+ !IR WAY 9 A GRAY SEA ( ANIMALS MORE VA/ ?AN ANY?+ :AT ,H5RY EV] HE>D ( 9 ! L& :]E HE WAS BORN4 ,HIS LIFE HAD TAK5 HIM ALL OV]1 & HE'D NEV] ?\<T NO MORE ?AN IT WAS ! ,ALMI<TY'S PLAN1 & ?AT IT W]5'T = HIM TO KN[ ! PURPOSE ( IT4 ,ALL ! SAME1 ! FEEL+ HIM & HIS ,SEL9A HAD :5 !Y'D FIR/ SE5 ! ,BOR\<S1 :AT WAS D[N FROM ,%EEP ,/REET :]E ! TWO ( !M >RIV$ & REA*$ RI<T TO ! PLACE 9 ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET :]E !Y'D F9ALLY MAKE !IR HOME1 :5 !Y'D SE5 ALL ! LITTLE RO(TOPS IT HAD SEEM$ TO !M AS ?\< !RE WAS JU/ SOME?+ 9 ! PLACE1 SOME K9D ( HE>T UND] ! *IMNEY SMOKE4 ,IT MADE A C]TA9 S5SE TO ,H5RY N[1 ) LE>N+ AB\T ,MR4 ,NEWTON & 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE0 & ALL4 ,P]HAPS ?IS WAS SOME SORT ( HOLY PLACE1 :AT HAD SU* HOLY PEOPLE COME FROM IT8 ,HE FELT SURE HE WAS MAK+ TOO MU* \T ( ?+S AS USUAL1 LIKE A D>N$ FOOL1 BUT ! NEWS MADE ,H5RY FEEL EXCIT$ 9 A WAY HE HADN'T KN[N S9CE HE WAS SMALL1 & HE'D BE LY+ IF HE SAID IT DIDN'T4 

,HIM & ,MRS4 ,BRUCE TALK$ OV] ?IS & ?AT !RE 9 ! P>LOR :ILE !Y F9I%$ UP !Y TEA & BREAD1 ) DU/-SPECKS TW9KL+ 9 ! LI<T ?R\< ! NET DRAPES & A GR&FA!R CLOCK MAK+ ITS GRAVEY>D TICK FROM UP ONE CORN]4 ,:5 !Y'D DONE %E GAVE HIM ! UNWANT$ WOOL5S :AT %E'D SORT$ \T & !N WALK$ ) HIM TO ! FRONT DOOR1 :]E HE PUT !M 9 ! TRAIL] BOX HE T[$ BEH9D HIS BICYCLE4 ,HE ?ANK$ H] K9DLY = ! CLO!S1 & = ! TEA & CONV]SATION1 & SAID HE'D BE SURE TO CALL AGA9 :5 HE WAS COM+ ?R\< ?AT >EA4 ,!Y WAV$ & WI%$ EA* O!R WELL1 !N ,H5RY RATTL$ BACK ALONG ! HI< /REET ON HIS ROPE-RIMM$ :EELS1 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE0 SUNG \T ( TUNE TRAIL+ BEH9D HIM ?R\< ! TUMBL+ LEAVES & BRI<T RAYS ( ! AFT]NOON4 

,:5 HE'D COME \T ! HI< /REET & WAS BACK ONCE MORE UPON ! ,B$=D ,ROAD HE RODE ON D[N IT TO ! EA/4 ,! SUN WAS PRETTY MU* ABOVE HIM N[ SO ?AT HE B>ELY CA/ A %AD[ AS HE W5T ALONG1 PUFF+ :ILE HE WAS P$AL+ & S++ :ILE HE COA/$4 ,ON HIS RI<T AS HE DEP>T$ FROM ,GREAT ,H\<TON HE C\LD SEE ! VILLAGE CEMET]Y ) ! :ITE M>K]S LIT UP BRI<T LIKE PILL[CASES1 !RE AGA9/ A BLANKET MADE FROM SLEEP+ GRE54 ,A LITTLE AFT] ?AT HE PASS$ UPON ! LEFT ( HIM ! LANE :AT W\LD HAVE TOOK HIM UP TO ,LITTLE ,H\<TON1 BUT HE DIDN'T HAVE NO BUS9ESS !RE & SO W5T ON A DI/ANCE1 FOLL[+ ! S\?-EA/ B5D ! ROAD MADE \T TO ,BRAFIELD4 ,!RE WAS H$G][S RE>+ UP BESIDE HIS R\TE1 SOMETIMES SO HI< ?AT HE WAS RID+ ?R\< !Y %ADE :5 HE W5T D[N A HOLL[1 HOLES L[ 9 ! WALLS ( BRACK5 H]E & !RE :AT L$ MO/ PROBABLY TO D5S1 !M MADE BY ANIMALS OR VILLAGE BOYS OR SOME?+ WILD LIKE ?AT4 ,BLOOD ON ITS SN\T & BLACK DIRT ON ITS PAWS1 :I*EV] ONE IT WAS4 

,! L& \T H]E WAS MO/LY F>M+ PROP]TY & PRETTY FLAT1 TOO1 SO Y\'D ?9K IT W\LD LOOK MORE LIKE ,KANSAS1 BUT ?AT W]5'T ! WAY ( IT4 ,= ONE ?+1 ,5GL& WAS A :OLE LOT GRE5] & IT SEEM$ !RE WAS MORE FL[]S ( DIFF]5T K9DS1 MAYBE BECAUSE ( ALL ! G>D5+ :AT FOLKS H]E LIK$ TO DO1 EV5 ! K9D AS LIV$ D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET ) !Y LITTLE BRICK$-9 Y>DS4 ,ANO!R ?+ WAS H[ !Y'D HAD A LOT ( TIME H]E TO GET FUSSY & +5I\S AB\T ! SIMPLE/ MATT]S1 SU* AS H[ !Y BUILT !Y HAY-/ACKS1 H[ !Y LAY D[N /RAW TO MAKE A RO(1 OR H[ !Y FITT$ *UNKS ( ROCK )\T CEM5T TO RAISE A WALL W\LD /& ?REE HUNDR$ YE>4 ,ACROSS ! :OLE SWEEP ( ! C\NTY HE C\LD SEE1 !RE WAS !SE DETAILS1 ?+S :AT SOMEONE'S GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GR&PAPPY FIGUR$ \T H[ !Y C\LD DO :5 ,QUE5 ,ELIZABE? WAS ON ! ?RONE OR SOMEBODY LIKE ?AT4 ,BRIDGES & WELLS & ! CANALS ) LOCK GATES1 :]E M5 WE>+ BOOTS UP R\ND !Y ?I<S TROD D[N ! CLAY TO M5D ! WAT]WAYS IF !Y WAS SPLIT4 ,!RE WAS A FAIR AM\NT ( LE>N+ EVID5T1 EV5 \T H]E :]E Y\ MI<T ?9K !RE W]5'T A MAN-MADE ?+ 9 SI<T4 ,! LONELY TREES HE PASS$ :AT LOOK$ LIKE !Y WAS /RUGGL$ UP FROM NO?+ ELSE BUT BL9D1 WILD NATURE HAD BE5 PLANT$ BY SOMEBODY YE>S BACK = A WELL-CONSID]$ REASON1 ,H5RY KNEW4 ,MAYBE A W9DBREAK TO PROTECT A CROP W]5'T !RE NO MORE1 OR LITTLE H>D GRE5 APPLES = TO MAKE ! PIGS !Y MA%4 ,A QUILT ( FIELDS WAS SPREAD AB\T HIM1 & EA* RAGG$ L9E ( IT WAS !RE ON PURPOSE4 

,HE PASS$ ?R\< ,BRAFIELD :5 ! BELL 9 ! ,/4 ,LAWR5CE ,*UR* /RUCK ONCE = ONE O'CLOCK1 & HE WAS HELD UP = SOME M9UTES JU/ \TSIDE ( !RE BY %EEP :AT FILL$ ! ROAD1 SO ?AT HE'D GOT TO WAIT :ILE !Y WAS H]D$ UP ! LANE & 9 !Y FIELD BE=E HE C\LD GO BY4 ,! MAN :O WALK$ ALONG ) ALL !SE BLEAT+ CRITT]S DIDN'T SPEAK TO ,H5RY1 NOT AS SU*1 BUT GAVE A K9D ( NOD & RAIS$ ! PEAK UP ( HIS CAP A T\*1 TO %[ H[ HE APPRECIAT$ ,H5RY BE+ PATI5T4 ,H5RY SMIL$ & NODD$ BACK1 AS ?\< TO SAY IT W]5'T NO 9CONV5I5CE1 :I* WAS ! TRU?4 ,! FELL] HAD AN ,5GLI% COLLIE HELP+ HIM CONTROL ! ANIMALS1 & ,H5RY ?\<T !Y WAS A JOY TO WAT*4 ,HE C\LDN'T HELP IT1 HE'D BE5 S(T AB\T !M H\NDS S9CE HE'D FIR/ SE5 'EM :5 HE GOT TO ,WALES 9 N9ETY-SIX4 ,?AT ONE BLUE EYE !Y'D GOT & H[ !Y UND]/OOD :AT Y\ WAS SAY+ HAD AMAZ$ HIM4 ,!Y'D NOT HAD NO DOGS LIKE ?AT :]E ,H5RY COME FROM1 :I* WAS ,NEW ,YORK & BE=E ?AT ,KANSAS1 & BE=E ?AT ,T5NESSEE4 ,HE SCRAT*$ HIS %\LD] :ILE HE /OOD & WAT*$ ! LA/ FEW %EEP HAUL+ !Y %ITTY ASSES \T HIS WAY & ?R\< ! PA/URE GATE :]E !Y BELONG$1 & !N HE C>RI$ ON4 ,!RE W]5'T NOBODY LIV+ !RE 9 ,BRAFIELD HE C\LD SAY HE KN[$1 & HE WAS KE5 BESIDES TO RIDE D[N ! LONG ROAD TO ,Y>DLEY1 A MU* BETT] PROSPECT TO HIS M9D1 BE=E ! DAY WORE ON4 

,! CL\DS W5T BY ABOVE LIKE %IPS W\LD IF Y\ /E]$ Y\R BICYCLE & C>T ACROSS ! B$ ( A CLE> OCEAN & SOMEH[ Y\ WAS IMMUNE FROM DR[N+4 ,H5RY HAD ! Z++ RHY?M ( HIS :EELS B5EA? HIM & ! REGUL>1 REASSUR+ CLICK ( ?AT /RAY SPOKE4 ,! ROAD WAS PRETTY MU* /RAI<T ON PA/ ,D5TON SO HE DIDN'T HAVE TO ?9K AB\T HIS RID+ NONE & C\LD JU/ LI/5 TO ! GOSSIP ( ! TREES :5 HE W5T PA/1 OR TO A CR[ SOME DI/ANCE (F1 LAU<+ AT SOME?+ NA/Y ) A VOICE LIKE RIFLE-%OTS4 

,HE HADN'T LIK$ HIS SPELL UPON !M OCEAN WAVES1 ABO>D ! ,PRIDE ( ,BE?LEHEM SET \T FROM ,NEW>K1 B\ND = ,C>DIFF4 ,H5RY WAS A MAN 9 HIS LATE =TIES EV5 !N1 & ?AT W]5'T NO AGE TO GO RUNN+ (F TO SEA4 ,IT WAS ! WAY ?+S HAD WORK$ \T1 WAS ALL4 ,HE'D /AY$ 9 ,M>%ALL ) HIS MAMA & HIS POPPA :ILE !Y WAS ALIVE1 US$ UP :AT SOME W\LD SAY WAS ,H5RY'S BE/ YE>S LOOK+ AFT] !M & NOT BEGRUDG$ ONE DAY ( IT4 ,AFT] !Y'D GONE1 ?\<1 !RE W]5'T NO?+ KEEP+ HIM 9 ,KANSAS1 :5 HE'D GOT NO FAMILY & NOBODY HE HAD FEEL+S =4 ,ELVIRA ,CONELY1 BY ?AT TIME %E WAS WORK+ = ! ,BULL>DS1 ON VACATION ) !M HALF ! TIME SO ,H5RY DIDN'T SEE H] R\ND NO MORE4 ,HE'D DRIFT$ EA/ 9 SCREE*+1 %UDD]+ RAILROAD C>S \T TO ! COA/1 & :5 HE'D HAD ! OPPORTUNITY TO WORK HIS PASSAGE ON ! DIRTY OLD /EEL-FREI<T] :AT WAS HEAD$ \T = ,BRITA91 HE'D JUMP$ AT IT4 ,HADN'T GIV5 IT NO SECOND ?\<T1 ?\< ?AT W]5'T ON ACC\NT ( BRAV]Y SO MU* AS IT WAS ON ACC\NT ( HIM NOT UND]/&+ H[ F> (F ?IS ,BRITA9 PLACE W\LD PROVE TO BE4 

,HE DIDN'T KN[ H[ MANY ACTUAL WEEKS IT WAS HE'D BE5 AFLOAT1 IT MAY HAVE BE5 NO MORE !N JU/ A C\PLE1 BUT IT SEEM$ LIKE IT W5T ON =EV]1 & AT TIMES HE'D FELT SO SICK HE ?\<T HE'D DIE !RE )\T EV] SEE+ L& AGA94 ,HE'D /AY$ BEL[ ! DECKS AS BE/ HE C\LD TO KEEP ! 5DLESS IRON BREAK]S \T ( SI<T1 %OVEL+ COAL D[N 9 ! BOIL] ROOM :]E HIS :ITE %IPMATES ASK$ H[ COME HE DIDN'T TAKE HIS %IRT (F LIKE !Y'D DONE & W]5'T HE HOT & ALL8 ,& ,H5RY HAD JU/ GR9N$ & SAID NO SIR1 HE W]5'T TOO HOT & HE WAS US$ TO PLACES PL5TY W>M]1 AL?\< OBVI\SLY ?AT W]5'T 9 TRU? ! REASON :Y HE W\LDN'T WORK 9 HIS B>E *E/4 ,SOMEBODY PUT ! RUMOR R\ND HE HAD AN EXTRA NIPPLE :AT HE WAS A%AM$ (1 & HE'D ?\<T IT BETT] ?AT HE LET IT GO AT ?AT1 S9CE ?AT HAD PUT AN 5D TO ALL ! QUE/IONS4 

,ON ! ,PRIDE ( ,BE?LEHEM Y\ HAD %EET /EEL1 ) ANY?+ FROM C&Y-B>S TO *APBOOKS & DIME NOVELS MAK+ UP ! BALLA/4 ,BY !N1 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES WAS TURN+ \T MORE /EEL ?AN ,BRITA9 WAS1 SO ?AT IT MEANT AS !Y C\LD SELL IT *EAP]1 EV5 ) ! CO/ ( %IPP+ IT ACROSS4 ,BESIDES1 ON ! WAY BACK :AT !Y'D BE BR++ HOME WAS WOOL FROM ,WALES1 SO ?AT ! [N]S SAW A H&SOME PR(IT BO? WAYS ON ! J\RNEY4 ,:5 HE'D NOT BE5 EI!R H>D AT WORK OR SICK+ UP1 ,H5RY HAD PASS$ HIS TIME 9 READ+ ,WILD ,WE/ TALES ON ! ALREADY-YELL[$ PAGES ( PAMPHLETS 9T5D$ = ! FIVE-&-T54 ,BUFFALO ,BILL HAD BE5 ! H]O 9 A NUMB] ( ! /ORIES1 %OOT+ \TLAWS & PROTECT+ WAGON TRA9S FROM R5EGADES1 :5 ALL HE EV] DID WAS PLAY ! BIG CL[N 9 HIS TRAVEL+ CIRCUS4 ,WILLIAM ,CODY4 ,IF !RE'D EV] BE5 A MAN MORE FIT TO BE A /ONE FACE ) JU/ *IMNEYS BL[+ HOT AIR = COMPANION%IP1 !N ,H5RY DIDN'T KN[ ( HIM4 

,BLACK FIELDS :AT HAD BUT LATELY HAD !Y /UBBLE BURN$ WAS ON HIS RI<T N[1 AS HE KNEW BELONG$ TO ,GRANGE ,F>M1 JU/ AHEAD4 ,! :ITE BIRDS HOPP+ FROM ONE SCOR*$ RUT TO ANO!R ,H5RY ?\<T WAS GULLS1 AL?\< !SE P>TS WAS JU/ AB\T AS DI/ANT FROM ! SEA AS Y\ C\LD GET 9 ,5GL&4 ,UP AHEAD ( HIM ! ROAD =K$ 9TO TWO1 :]E :AT !Y CALL$ ,NOR?AMPTON ,ROAD BRAN*$ (F T[>DS ! VILLAGE SQU>E ( ,D5TON4 ,D5TON WAS A NICE PLACE1 BUT !RE W]5'T MU* 9 ! WAY ( PICK+S4 ,IT WAS BE/ IF ,H5RY ONLY W5T !RE ONCE OR MAYBE TWICE A YE>1 TO MAKE IT WOR? HIS :ILE1 & HE /UCK ON ! RI<T-H& TRACK N[ SO ?AT HE C\LD SKIRT ! VILLAGE TO ITS S\? & C>RY ON = ,Y>DLEY - ,Y>DLEY ,HA/+S :AT !Y CALL$ IT4 ,HE WAS JU/ PA/ ,D5TON :5 HE CYCL$ ?R\< A RA9 %[] WAS SO SMALL ?AT HE WAS 9 ONE SIDE ( IT & \T ! O!R )\T FEEL+ MORE ?AN ONE OR TWO SPOTS ON HIS BR[4 ,! CL\DS ABOVE HIM HAD A C\PLE T[]S ( SMOO? GRAY M>BLE FLOAT+ 9 AMONG ! :ITE N[1 BUT ! SKY WAS MO/LY A CLE> BLUE & ,H5RY D\BT$ IF ! D[NP\R W\LD AM\NT TO ANY?+4 

,WAY (F ON ,H5RY'S LEFT HE C\LD MAKE \T ! D>K] PAT*WORK ( ! WOODS R\ND ,CA/LE ,A%BY4 ,HE'D BE5 \T !RE ONE TIME :5 HE'D MET A LOCAL FELL] C\LDN'T WAIT TO TELL HIM ALL AB\T ! PLACE1 H[ BACK 9 ANCI5T ,LONDON :5 !Y'D WANT$ TWO WOOD GIANTS TO /& \TSIDE !Y CITY GATES1 :AT WAS CALL$ ,GOG & ,MAGOG1 IT WAS ,CA/LE ,A%BY :]E !Y'D GOT ! TREES4 ,! MAN WAS PR\D ( :]E HE LIV$ & ALL ITS HI/ORY1 H[ A LOT ( FOLKS R\ND H]E WAS4 ,HE'D TOLD ,H5RY H[ HE ?\<T ?IS C\NTY WAS A HOLY PLACE1 & ?AT'S H[ COME ?AT ,LONDON WANT$ TREES FROM H]E4 ,H5RY W]5'T SURE AB\T ,NOR?AMPTON'S HOL9ESS1 NOT BACK !N & NOT N[1 NOT EV5 AFT] HE>+ :AT HE HAD AB\T ! ,REV]5D ,NEWTON & 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE04 ,IT SEEM$ LIKE IT WAS SOMEWAY SPECIAL SURE 5\<1 ?\< HOLY W]5'T A WORD :AT ,H5RY W\LD HAVE US$4 ,= ONE ?+1 HOL9ESS1 AS ,H5RY SAW IT1 IT WAS A MITE CLEAN] ?AN :AT ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET WAS4 ,BUT ON ! O!R H&1 HE'D ?\<T ! FELL] HAD BE5 RI<T1 TOO1 9 A WAY3 IF !RE WAS ANY?+ AB\T ?IS PLACE WAS HOLY1 !N IT LIKELY WAS ! TREES4 

,H5RY REMEMB]$ :5 HE'D FIR/ >RIV$ ) HIS NEW WIFE 9 !SE P>TS & ! TREE :AT !Y'D SE5 !N1 AFT] HE'D BE5 9 ,BRITA9 NO MORE ?AN SIX MON?S4 ,:5 HE'D COME (F ! %IP 9 ,C>DIFF & DECID$ !RE W]5'T NO WAY HE C\LD FACE ANO!R SEA VOYAGE HOME1 HE'D GOT HIMSELF A LODG+ AT A PLACE CALL$ ,TIG] ,BAY :AT HAD SOME COLOR$ PEOPLE LIV+ !RE4 ,?AT HADN'T BE5 :AT ,H5RY WANT$1 ?\<4 ,?AT WAS TOO MU* LIKE IT HAD 5D$ UP 9 ,KANSAS1 ) ! COLOR$ FOLKS ALL 9 ONE DI/RICT :AT WAS LET TO FALL 9 PIECES UNTIL ,KANSAS WAS TOO MU* LIKE ,T5NESSEE4 ,YES1 HE LIK$ HIS [N PEOPLE GOOD 5\<1 BUT NOT :5 !Y WAS KEPT AWAY FROM O!R FOLKS LIKE !Y WAS 9 A GO%-D>N$ ZOO4 ,H5RY HAD /RUCK \T = MID-,WALES ON FOOT1 & IT WAS ON ! WAY !RE ?AT HE'D MET ,SEL9A 9 A PLACE1 ,AB]GAV5NY1 :AT WAS ON ! ,RIV] ,USK4 ,! WAY !Y'D FELL 9 LOVE & !N GOT M>RI$ WAS ?AT QUICK IT MADE HIS HEAD SP91 ?9K+ ( IT4 ,?AT1 & H[ !Y'D RI<T AWAY GONE UP TO ,BUIL? ,WELLS1 = ! DROV+4 ,FIR/ ?+ ,H5RY KN[$ HE'D BE5 W$ TO A PRETTY :ITE GIRL HALF HIS AGE1 LY+ BESIDE H] UND]NEA? A /RET*$ \T PIECE ( CANVAS :ILE ! HUNDR$ ?\S& %EEP :AT !Y WAS HELP+ H]D TO ,5GL& CRI$ & %UFFL$ 9 ! NI<T \TSIDE4 ,!Y'D BE5 UPON ! ROAD = NE> AS LONG AS IT HAD TOOK ! ,PRIDE ( ,BE?LEHEM TO GET TO ,BRITA91 BUT !N AT ! 5D ( IT !Y'D COME ACROSS :AT HE KNEW N[ WAS ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE1 !N UP ,CRANE ,HILL & ,GRAFTON ,/REET TO ,%EEP ,/REET1 :I* WAS :]E !Y'D SE5 ! TREE4 

,H5RY HAD WAD$ ?R\< ! H]D ?AT MILL$ AB\T !RE 9 ! WIDE /REET1 MEET+ ! HEAD DROV] AT ! GATES ( :AT !Y CALL$ ,SA9T ,SEPUL*]'S1 :I* WAS ! OLDE/ & ! D>N$E/ *UR* HE'D EV] SE54 ,! BOSS HAD GIV5 HIM HIS TICKET & TOLD ,H5RY HE %\LD TAKE IT TO A PLACE !Y CALL$ ! ,WEL% ,H\SE 9 ! M>KET SQU>E1 :]E ,H5RY W\LD BE GIVE HIS WAGES4 ,HIM & HIS ,SEL9A HAD SET (F UP ,%EEP ,/REET = ! C5T] ( ! T[N1 & IT WAS 9 AN OP5 Y>D (F ON !Y RI<T !RE ?AT ! TREE WAS /&+3 A GIANT BEE* SO BIG & OLD ?AT !Y C\LD ONLY /OP & M>VEL AT IT1 EV5 ) ! TICKET = HIS PAY BURN+ A HOLE 9 ,H5RY'S PANTS LIKE IT WAS DO+4 ,IT WAS ?AT F> R\ND1 ! TREE1 IT W\LD HAVE TAK5 F\R OR FIVE M5 EASY TO L9K UP !Y H&S AB\T IT1 & HE'D LAT] HE>D H[ IT WAS SEV5 HUNDR$ YE> OR MORE 9 AGE4 ,Y\ ?\<T AB\T A TREE AS OLD AS ?AT ONE LOOK$1 Y\ C\LDN'T HELP BUT ?9K ( ALL :AT IT HAD SE51 ALL :AT HAD HAPP5$ R\ND IT 9 ITS TIME4 ,! HORSEBACK KNI<TS !Y US$ TO HAVE1 & ALL !M BATTLES LIKE 9 ,5GL&'S ,CIVIL ,W>1 :I* HAD TOOK PLACE A P[]FUL :ILE BE=E ,AM]ICA'S4 ,Y\ C\LDN'T /& !RE />+ LIKE HIM & ,SEL9A HAD )\T Y\ />T$ WOND]+ :]E EV]Y M>K & SC> HAD COME FROM1 :E!R IT WAS FROM A PIKE OR MAYBE FROM A MUSKET BALL4 ,!Y'D ONLY LOOK$ AT IT A :ILE1 & !N !Y'D PICK$ UP ,H5RY'S PAY BE=E !Y POK$ >\ND ! T[N & F\ND !Y PLACE 9 ,SC>LETWELL1 :AT HAD ITS [N AMAZ+ SI<TS1 BUT HE BELIEV$ ?AT TREE HAD PLAY$ AS BIG A P>T 9 ,H5RY & ,SEL9A ?9K+ !Y %\LD SETTLE H]E AS ANY PRACTICAL CONSID]ATION4 ,!RE WAS SOME?+ 9 IT MADE ! T[N SEEM SOLID & DEEP-ROOT$4 ,& !RE W]5'T NOBODY HANG+ FROM IT4 

,IT WAS COM+ ON = SOME :ILE AFT] TWO HE GOT TO ,Y>DLEY4 ,HE W5T UP ! FIR/ TURN ON HIS LEFT1 CALL$ ! ,NOR?AMPTON ,ROAD JU/ LIKE 9 ,D5TON1 UP 9TO ! VILLAGE SQU>E1 !RE :]E !Y HAD ! S*OOL4 ,IT WAS A PRETTY BUILD+ :AT HAD BUTT]-COLOR /ONES & A NICE >*WAY LEAD+ TO ITS PLAY-Y>D1 & HE C\LD SEE *ILDR5 ?R\< A D[N/AIRS W9D[ BUSY ) !Y LESSONS1 PA9T+ ONTO %EETS ( BUT*]'S PAP] AT A LONG WOOD TABLE4 ,H5RY'S BUS9ESS :AT HE HAD WAS ) ! C>ETAK]1 SO HE PULL$ UP HIS BICYCLE ACROSS ! /REET FROM ! MA9 S*OOLH\SE1 NE> :]E ?IS C>ETAK] LIV$4 ,IT WAS A FELL] ,H5RY HAD A GOOD FEW YE>S ON1 AL?\< HE'D HAD ! MIS=TUNE TO LOSE NE>LY ALL HIS HAIR SO HE LOOK$ OLD] ?AN :AT ,H5RY WAS4 ,HE ANSW]$ ,H5RY'S KNOCK BUT DIDN'T ASK HIM 91 AL?\< HE'D GOT A BAG ( ?+S HE'D SAV$ :AT HE BRUNG ?R\< \T ON ! /EP & SAID AS !Y WAS ,H5RY'S IF HE WANT$ !M4 ,!RE WAS TWO EMPTY PICTURE FRAMES MADE ,H5RY WOND] :AT WAS 9 !M ONCE1 A PAIR ( OLD %OES & SOME PANTS MADE \T ( CORDUROY RIPP$ D[N !Y BACKSIDE SO ?AT !Y WAS NE> 9 HALF4 ,HE ?ANK$ ! C>ETAK] POLITELY1 PUTT+ IT ALL 9 HIS C>T ALONGSIDE :AT HE'D PICK$ UP FROM ,GREAT ,H\<TON1 & WAS JU/ AB\T TO %AKE H&S & BE BACK UPON HIS WAY :5 IT OCCURR$ TO HIM ?AT HE %\LD ASK H[ F> IT WAS TO ,OLNEY4 

0,OLNEY8 ,WELL1 Y\'RE NE>LY !RE40 

,! C>ETAK] WIP$ DU/ FROM (F ! PICTURE-FRAMES ONTO HIS OV]ALL1 !N PO9T$ BACK ACROSS ! VILLAGE SQU>E T[>DS !Y LEFT4 

0,SEE ,LITTLE ,/REET !RE8 ,:AT Y\ WANT TO DO IS GO D[N ?AT ONTO ! ,HI< ,/REET :]E IT TAKES Y\ BACK ONTO ! ,B$=D ,ROAD4 ,KEEP ON IT \T ( ,Y>DLEY1 & Y\'LL NOT GO F> BE=E Y\ REA* A LANE ?AT DROPS (F FROM ! MA9 ROAD TO Y\R RI<T4 ,Y\ GET ON ?AT1 :AT'S CALL$ ! ,Y>DLEY ,ROAD1 IT'S ALL D[NHILL TO ,OLNEY4 ,I %\LD SAY IT'S ?REE MILE !RE & FIVE MILE BACK1 CONSID]+ H[ /EEP IT IS40 

,?AT DIDN'T S\ND TOO F> AT ALL1 NOT SEE+ H[ HE'D MADE SU* GOOD TIME GETT+ \T H]E4 ,H5RY WAS APPRECIATIVE ( ! DIRECTIONS & SAID H[ HE'D SEE ! C>ETAK] AGA9 '=E ,*RI/MAS :ILE HE CLIMB$ BACK ON HIS BICYCLE4 ,! TWO ( !M SAID !Y GOODBYES & !N HE /OOD H>D ON HIS P$ALS & WAS SAIL+ (F D[N ,LITTLE ,/REET BETWE5 ! WOM5 /OOD \TSIDE ITS %OPS & SU*1 D>K BUNDLES TOPP$ BY BONNETS1 RU/L+ ACROSS GOLD SIDEWALKS ?R\< ! AFT]NOON4 

,HE TURN$ RI<T ONTO ,HI< ,/REET & IT TOOK HIM BACK D[N ON ! ,B$=D ,ROAD1 JU/ LIKE ! C>ETAK] HAD SAID4 ,HE W5T \T ( ! VILLAGE PA/ ! ,R$ ,LION PUBLIC H\SE :AT !Y HAD NE> ! TURN !RE1 :]E F>M WORK]S :O WAS COM+ 9 ALREADY (F ! FIELDS ) MI<TY ?IR/S LOOK$ AT HIM SIL5TLY AS HE W5T BY4 ,?AT C\LD HAVE BE5 HIS ROPE TIRES :AT HE HAD1 ?\<1 & NOT NO?+ WAS RELAT$ TO HIS SK9 AT ALL4 ,IT TICKL$ ,H5RY H[ FOLKS H]E ) ALL !Y CLEV] WAYS ( BUILD+ WALLS & TY+ H$GES & ALL ?AT1 H[ !Y ALL ACT$ LIKE ROPE ON A FELL]'S :EEL-RIMS WAS ! MO/ \TL&I% ?+ !Y EV] SE54 ,HE MI<T AS WELL HAVE HAD TRA9$ RATTLESNAKES 9/EAD ( TIRES1 TO HE> FOLKS GO+ ON AB\T IT4 ,ALL IT WAS1 IT WAS A TRICK HE'D SE5 SOME O!R COLOR$ FELL]S USE 9 ,KANSAS4 ,ROPE WAS *EAP]1 DIDN'T WE> LIKE RUBB] DID OR ELSE GET PUNCTUR$1 & IT SUIT$ ,H5RY F9E4 ,W]5'T ANY MORE TO IT ?AN ?AT4 

,ACROSS ! ,B$=D ,ROAD RI<T OPPOSITE ! ,HI< ,/REET TURN1 ! L& ALL DROPP$ AWAY1 & :]E ! RIV] TRIBUT>Y DID TOO !RE WAS A WAT]FALL4 ,! SPRAY :AT GOT FLUNG UP FROM ?IS CAU<T 9 ! SLANT$ LI<T & MADE A RA9B[1 JU/ A LITTLE ONE HUNG 9 ! AIR1 :OSE COLORS WAS SO PALE ?AT !Y KEPT FAD+ 9 & \T ( SI<T4 ,HE TURN$ LEFT ON ! MA9 ROAD & RODE ON AB\T A QU>T] MILE FROM ,Y>DLEY1 :]E HE F\ND ! /EEP LANE RUNN+ D[N UPON HIS RI<T :AT HAD A SIGN SAID ,OLNEY1 ONLY SAY+ IT WAS /EEP W]5'T DO+ IT NO JU/ICE4 ,HE FLEW D[N IT LIKE ! W9D1 S5D+ UP GLASSY %EETS ( WAT] :]E HE C\LDN'T HELP BUT SPLA% ?R\< PUDDLES1 SU* AS ON ! S(T GR\ND NE> A ?IRD ( ! WAY D[N :]E !RE WAS PONDS ) GNATS 9 A MEAN VAPOR HANG+ OV] 'EM4 ,SPE$ HE WAS GO+ AT1 IT DIDN'T SEEM FIVE M9UTES BE=E HE C\LD SEE ! VILLAGE RO(TOPS D[N ! WAY AHEAD ( HIM4 ,HE LET HIS BRAKE-BLOCKS SKIM ! DIRT ROAD1 SL[+ D[N A LITTLE AT A TIME SO ?AT HE DIDN'T HAVE NO ACCID5TS BE=E HE'D GOTT5 :]E HE WANT$4 ,BACK ( ,H5RY'S M9D !RE WAS ! ?\<T ?AT IT WAS GO+ TO BE AN EF=T GETT+ UP ?IS HILL AGA91 BUT HE PUT ?AT ASIDE 9 FAVOR ( ! GREAT ADV5TURE HE WAS %OOT+ 9TO LIKE A BOTTLE ROCKET1 ) HIS ROPE TIRES SIZZL+ 9 ! DRI$-\T C[PATS4 

,OLNEY1 :5 HE GOT TO IT1 WAS BIGG] ?AN HE'D ?\<T IT W\LD BE4 ,ONLY ?+ HE SAW LOOK$ LIKELY IT MI<T BE A *UR* SPIRE WAS (F D[N ! O!R 5D ( T[N1 SO ?AT'S :AT ,H5RY HEAD$ =4 ,ALL ( ! PEOPLE :AT HE PASS$ BY ON ! /REET WAS />+ AT HIM1 S9CE HE HADN'T COME ?IS WAY BE=E & WAS NO D\BT TO !Y M9D A F]OCI\S NOVELTY4 ,HE KEPT HIS HEAD D[N1 LOOK+ AT ! COBBLES :AT HE P$AL$ OV]1 BE+ C>EFUL NOT TO GIVE (F5SE4 ,! /REETS WAS QUIET1 )\T MU* HORSE-TRAFFIC ?AT AFT]NOON AS HE C\LD SEE1 SO ?AT HE WAS EMB>RASS$ BY ! NOISE HIS C>T WAS MAK+ :5 IT ?UND]$ ON ! /ONES 9 BACK ( HIM4 ,HE LOOK$ UP ONCE & CAU<T A GLIMPSE ( HIS REFLECTION1 RAC+ BY ACROSS ! W9D[ ( AN IRONMONG]'S %OP1 A BLACK MAN ) :ITE HAIR & BE>D UPON A /RANGE MA*9E :O PASS$ ?R\< ALL ! POTS & PANS HUNG ON DISPLAY LIKE HE WAS NO MORE SOLID ?AN A <O/4 

,:5 9 ! 5D HE REA*$ ! *UR*1 ?\<1 IT WAS WOR? IT4 ,WAY D[N ON ! BOTTOM $GE ( ,OLNEY1 ) ! ,GREAT ,\SE ,RIV] & ITS LAKES SPREAD TO ! S\? IT WAS A T[]+ & 9SPIR+ SI<T4 ,IT BE+ ,FRIDAY IT W]5'T OP51 NATURALLY1 SO ,H5RY PROPP$ HIS BICYCLE AGA9/ A TREE & WALK$ >\ND ! BUILD+ ONCE OR TWICE1 ADMIR+ ITS HI< W9D[S ) !Y OLD /A9$ GLASS & SQU9T+ UP T[>DS ?AT SPIRE1 :AT WAS SO HI< HE'D SE5 IT FROM ! VILLAGE'S F> 5D4 ,! CLOCK ?AT WAS UP ON ! T[] !RE SAID AS IT WAS GETT+ ON = HALF-PA/ ?REE1 OR 'FIVE-&-TW5NY >T]' LIKE !Y SAID ON ,SC>LETWELL4 ,HE RECKON$ HE C\LD LOOK >\ND H]E = A :ILE & /ILL BE HOME BE=E IT GOT TOO D>K \T & ,SEL9A />T$ WORRY+4 

,HE GUESS$ ?AT HE WAS K9D ( DISAPPO9T$ !RE W]5'T NO?+ ON ! *UR* :AT TOLD ( ,PA/OR ,NEWTON OR 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE04 ,IT WAS JU/ ,H5RY'S FOOLI% NOTION ( H[ FOLKS 9 ,5GL& DONE ?+S1 HE WAS SURE1 BUT HE'D EXPECT$ !Y MI<T HAVE A /ATUE ( ! MAN OR SOME?+1 MAYBE /&+ ) HIS QUILL P5 9 HIS H&4 ,9/EAD1 !RE WASN'T NO?+4 ,!RE W]5'T EV5 A BAD LIK5ESS HUNG UP NE> A *IMNEY4 ,RI<T ACROSS ! /REET1 ?\<1 ,H5RY SAW !RE WAS A GRAVEY>D4 ,:ILE HE DIDN'T KN[ IF ,PA/OR ,NEWTON HAD BE5 BURI$ H]E AS WELL1 HE ?\<T !RE WAS AT LEA/ A *ANCE & SO HE CROSS$ ! ROAD & W5T 9TO ! CEMET]Y BY ITS TOP GATE1 (F FROM A LITTLE PA? RAN D[N BESIDE A GRE54 ,?+S JUMP$ & SCUFFL$ 9 ! LONG GRASS NE> HIS FEET1 & JU/ LIKE 9 ! ,BOR\<S HE W]5'T SURE IF IT WAS RATS OR RABBITS1 BUT HE DIDN'T C>E MU* = IT EI!R WAY4 

,EXCEPT+ ,H5RY & ! VILLAGE DEAD ! *UR*Y>D SEEM$ AB\T DES]T$4 ,IT SURPRIS$ HIM1 !N1 :5 HE TURN$ R\ND A CORN] 9 ! PA?S :AT L$ BETWE5 ! HEAD/ONES1 RI<T BY :]E !RE WAS AN ANGEL :AT HAD HALF ITS NOSE & JAW GONE LIKE A VET]AN FROM SOME W>1 & KNEEL+ !RE BESIDE A GRAVE TO PULL ! WE$S UP FROM IT WAS A /\T MAN 9 HIS WAI/COAT & HIS %IRTSLEEVES1 GOT A FLAT CAP ON HIS SILV] HEAD4 ,HE LOOK$ UP1 MORE SURPRIS$ BY SEE+ ,H5RY ?AN :AT ,H5RY WAS BY SEE+ HIM4 ,HE WAS AN OLD MAN1 ,H5RY REALIZ$1 OLD] ?AN HIMSELF & MAYBE CLOSE TO SEV5TY4 ,HE WAS /ILL /URDY1 ?\<1 ) GREAT :ITE MUTTON *OPS TO EA* SIDE ( A FACE S5T R$ BY SUN4 ,BEL[ HIS CAP'S BRIM HE HAD SMALL WIRE SPECTACLES P]*$ ON HIS NOSE-5D1 :AT HE PU%$ UP SO ?AT HE C\LD TAKE A BETT] LOOK AT ,H5RY4 

0,GOOD ,LORD1 BOY1 Y\ MADE ME JUMP4 ,I ?\<T IT WAS ,OLD ,NICK :O'D COME TO GET ME4 ,I'VE NOT SE5 Y\ R\ND !SE P>TS BE=E1 N[1 HAVE ,I8 ,LET ME GET A LOOK AT Y]40 

,! MAN CLIMB$ TO HIS FEET ) DIFFICULTY FROM ! GRAVESIDE1 ,H5RY (F]+ A H& :AT ! OLD FELL] GRATEFULLY ACCEPT$4 ,:5 HE WAS /OOD UP HE WAS >\ND FIVE & A HALF FEET1 & A LITTLE %ORT] ?AN :AT ,H5RY WAS4 ,HE'D GOT BLUE EYES :AT TW9KL$ ?R\< ! L5SES ( HIS SPECTACLES :5 HE LOOK$ ,H5RY OV]1 BEAM+ LIKE HE WAS DELI<T$4 

0,WELL1 N[1 Y\ LOOK LIKE A DEC5T *AP4 ,:AT'S BR\<T Y\ H]E TO ,OLNEY1 !N1 IF Y\ DON'T M9D ME ASK+8 ,W]E Y\ LOOK+ = SOMEBODY BURI$ H]E80 

,H5RY ADMITT$ ?AT HE WAS4 

0,I COME FROM ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET 9 ,NOR?AMPTON1 SIR1 :]E MO/LY ,I AM CALL$ ,BLACK ,*>LEY4 ,I WAS HE>+ JU/ TODAY AB\T A REV]5D :AT ONCE PREA*$ H]E 9 ,OLNEY1 NAME ( ,NEWTON4 ,IT SEEMS LIKE HE WAS ! MAN :AT WROTE ',AMAZ+ ,GRACE'1 :I* IS A SONG AS ,I ADMIRE4 ,I WAS JU/ LOOK+ R\ND ! *UR* ACROSS ! WAY !RE1 HOP+ = SOME SIGN ( HIM1 :5 IT OCCURR$ TO ME AS HE MI<T BE AT RE/ SOMEPLACE NE>BY4 ,IF Y\'RE ACQUA9T$ ) ?IS CEMET]Y1 SIR1 ,I'D BE OBLIG$ Y\ C\LD DIRECT ME TO HIS GRAVE40 

,! OLD] FELL] SET HIS LIPS 9TO A PU%$-\T FR[N & %OOK HIS HEAD4 

0,NO1 BLESS Y\R HE>T1 HE'S NOT H]E4 ,I BELIEVE ! ,REV]5D ,NEWTON IS 9 ,LONDON AT ,/4 ,M>Y ,WOOLNO?'S1 :I* IS :]E HE W5T :5 HE LEFT ,OLNEY4 ,H]E1 ,I'LL TELL Y\ :AT1 ?\<4 ,AS IT HAPP5S1 ,I'M *UR*W>D5 H]E4 ,DAN ,TITE1 ?AT'S ME4 ,I WAS JU/ TIDY+ ! PLOTS TO GIVE MYSELF SOME?+ TO DO1 BUT ,I'D BE HAPPY TO COME BACK ACROSS ! *UR* ) Y\ & LET Y\ 9 SO Y\ C\LD HAVE A LOOK4 ,I'VE GOT ! KEY H]E 9 MY WAI/COAT POCKET40 

,HE PRODUC$ A BIG BLACK IRON KEY & HELD IT UP SO ,H5RY C\LD 9SPECT IT4 ,SURE 5\<1 IT WAS A KEY4 ,W]5'T NO DISPUT+ ?AT4 ,\T ! SAME POCKET1 ! *UR*W>D5 TOOK A CLAY PIPE & HIS P\* :AT HAD TOBACCO 94 ,HE FILL$ ! PIPE & LIT IT ) A MAT* :ILE !Y WAS WALK+ BACK T[>DS ! GATES1 SO A SWEET COCONUT & WOOD SMELL DRIFT$ \T BEH9D !M ?R\< ! YEW TREES & ! TOMBS4 ,DAN ,TITE PUFF$ H>D ON ITS CLAY /EM 'TIL HE WAS SURE ! PIPE WAS GO+ GOOD 5\<1 & !N RESUM$ HIS TALK ) ,H5RY4 

0,:AT'S ?AT ACC5T ?AT Y\'VE GOT1 !N8 ,CAN'T SAY AS ,I'VE HE>D ITS LIKE BE=E40 

,HE NODD$ :ILE ,DAN CLOS$ ! GATE BEH9D !M & !Y />T$ UP ! FOOTPA? BACK TO ,*UR* ,/REET4 ,HE C\LD SEE ! MOVEM5TS 9 ! GRASS WAS RABBITS N[1 !Y NOSES POK+ 9 & \T ( ALL ! HOLES WAS DUG 9TO ! GRE5 & ALL !Y E>S LIKE BABIES' SLIPP]S LEFT \T 9 ! DEW4 

0,NO1 SIR1 ,I DON'T EXPECT Y\ W\LD HAVE DONE4 ,I COME H]E FROM ,AM]ICA JU/ TWELVE OR ?IRTE5 YE>S BACK N[4 ,IT WAS 9 ,T5NESSEE :]E ,I WAS BORN1 !N AFT] ?AT ,I LIV$ 9 ,KANSAS = A TIME4 ,TO ME1 IT S\NDS LIKE ,I TALK PRETTY MU* ! SAME AS FOLKS >\ND ,NOR?AMPTON N[1 AL?\< MY WIFE & *ILDR5S1 !Y SAY AS ,I DON'T40 

,! OLD *UR*W>D5 LAU<$4 ,!Y W]E JU/ WALK+ BACK ACROSS ! COBBL$ LANE T[>DS ! *UR*1 :]E ,H5RY'S BIKE & C>T WAS PROPP$ AGA9/ A TREE4 

0,Y\ WANT TO LI/5 TO 'EM1 !N4 ,!Y'RE RI<T4 ,?AT VOICE Y\'VE GOT1 ?AT DON'T S\ND NO?+ LIKE ,NOR?AMPTON1 & TO MY M9D IT'S ! BETT] = IT4 ,!Y'RE SOME BLESS$ LAZY TALK]S1 !M R\ND !RE4 ,DON'T BO!R ) ! LETT]S ON ! 5DS ( WORDS OR EV5 MO/ ( 'EM :AT'S 9 ! MIDDLE1 SO IT ALL COMES \T LIKE MU%40 

,! W>D5 TOOK A PAUSE H]E1 HALFWAY UP ! PA? T[>DS ! BIG *UR* DOOR1 & PU%$ HIS GLASSES BACK :]E !Y'D SLIPP$ D[N AGA9 SO'S HE C\LD /UDY ,H5RY'S BICYCLE & B>R[ :AT IT DRUG BEH9D IT1 LEAN$ UP ON ?AT POPL> !RE4 ,HE LOOK$ FROM ! MA*9E TO ,H5RY & !N BACK AGA91 !N HE JU/ %OOK HIS HEAD & W5T ON TO UNLOCK ! DOOR SO !Y C\LD GO 9SIDE4 

,FIR/ ?+ Y\ NOTIC$ WAS ! *ILL COME UP (F ! /ONE FLOOR1 & H[ !RE WAS ! SLI<TE/ E*O AFT] EV]Y?+4 ,!RE 9 ! ROOM \T FRONT ! *UR* !Y CALL$ ! VE/IBULE1 !Y'D GOT A BIG DISPLAY ( FL[]S & %EAVES ( :EAT & POTS ( JAM & SU*1 :AT ,H5RY FIGUR$ AS ! *ILDR5 HAD BRUNG = !Y ,H>VE/ ,FE/IVAL4 ,IT PUT A K9D ( MORN+ SMELL AB\T ! AIR !RE1 EV5 ?\< ! PLACE WAS COLD & GRAY ) %AD[S4 ,HUNG UP 9 A FRAME ABOVE ! SPREAD !RE WAS A PA9T+1 & SOON AS HE SAW IT ,H5RY KNEW :O IT WAS (1 IT DIDN'T MATT] ?AT ! PICTURE WAS A D>K ONE HANG+ 9 A D>K] ROOM4 

,MAN HAD A HEAD LOOK$ NE> TO SQU>E & TOO BIG = HIS BODY1 AL?\< ,H5RY [N$ ?AT C\LD HAVE BE5 ! PA9T]'S FAULT4 ,HE'D GOT HIS P>SON'S ROBES ON & A WIG LIKE :AT !Y HAD 9 EI<TE5?-C5TURY TIMES1 ALL %ORT ON TOP & ) GRAY PLAITS ( WOOL W\ND R\ND LIKE RAM'S HORNS D[N TO EI!R SIDE4 ,ONE ( HIS EYES LOOK$ SORT ( WORRI$ & YET FULL ( :AT Y\ MI<T CALL CAUTI\S HOPE1 :ILE ON ! SIDE ( HIS FACE :AT WAS TURN$ AWAY \T FROM ! LI<T ! EYE SEEM$ FLAT & DEAD1 & HAD ! LOOK ( SOMEONE C>RY+ A M\RNFUL WEI<T !Y KN[ !Y CAN'T PUT D[N4 ,IT MI<T HAVE BE5 HIS P>SON'S COLL> WAS TOO TI<T SO ?AT ! FAT UND] HIS JAW WAS PLUMP$ \T OV] IT A LITTLE 9 A ROLL1 & UP ABOVE ?AT WAS A M\? LOOK$ LIKE IT DIDN'T KN[ TO LAU< OR CRY4 ,JOHN ,NEWTON1 BORN SEV5TE5 HUNDR$ TW5TY-FIVE1 DI$ EI<TE5 HUNDR$ SEV54 ,H5RY />$ UP AT ! PORTRAIT ) HIS EYES HE KN[$ WAS ! SAME COLOR AS PIANO IVORIES1 WIDE & NE> LUM9\S !RE 9 ! GLOOM4 

0,AH1 YES1 ?AT'S HIM4 ,Y\'VE SPOTT$ HIM1 ! ,REV]5D ,NEWTON4 ,ALWAYS ?\<T MESELF HE LOOK$ A TIR$ OLD S\L1 A BIT LIKE A POOR %EEP PUT \T TO GRASS40 

,DAN ,TITE WAS UP ONE CORN] GETT+ SOME?+ \T A /ACK ( HYMNALS :AT WAS !RE :ILE ,H5RY /OOD & GAZ$ AT ,NEWTON'S MURKY IMAGE4 ,! *UR*W>D5 TURN$ & WADDL$ BACK ACROSS ! R++1 :ISP]+ SLABS TO ,H5RY1 DU/+ (F ! COV] ON SOME OLD BOOK AS HE COME4 

0,H]E1 HAVE A LOOK AT ?IS4 ,?IS IS ! ,OLNEY ,HYMNS1 ?AT !Y FIR/ PR9T$ UP '=E EI<TE5 HUNDR$4 ,?IS IS ALL ! ONES HE WROTE ) HIS GREAT FRI5D ! POET ,MR4 ,C[P]1 :O P]HAPS Y\'VE HE>D (80 

,H5RY CONFESS$ AS HE HADN'T4 ,?\< HE SAW NO NE$ TO SAY IT !RE & !N1 IT WAS A FACT HIS READ+ W]5'T SO GOOD SAV+ = /REET SIGNS & = HYMNS 9 *UR* :AT HE ALREADY KN[$ ! WORDS TO1 & HE'D NEV] LE>N$ TO WRITE NONE = ! LIFE ( HIM4 ,DAN W]5'T CONC]N$1 ?\<1 ?AT HE W]5'T ACQUA9T$ ) ?IS ,COOP] FELL]1 & JU/ W5T ON FLIPP+ ?R\< ! YELL[-SMELL+ PAGES 'TIL HE'D F\ND :AT HE WAS LOOK+ =4 

0,WELL1 ,I SUPPOSE IT DOESN'T MATT]1 EXCEPT ,MR4 ,C[P] WAS ANO!R ONE FROM ,OLNEY & !Y WROTE ALL !SE TOGE!R1 AL?\< ,MR4 ,NEWTON DID BY F> ! GREAT] P>T4 ,?IS ONE1 ! ONE ?AT Y\ LIKE1 WE'RE ALMO/ COMPLETELY C]TA9 ?AT IT'S ,NEWTON'S WORK ALONE40 

,! W>D5 GAVE ! BOOK ( HYMNS TO ,H5RY1 :O REA*$ \T & TOOK IT C>EFUL ) BO? H&S LIKE IT W]E SOME RELIGI\S RELIC1 :I* HE GUESS$ IT WAS4 ,! PAGE :AT IT WAS OP5 AT HAD GOT A HEAD+ TOOK HIM SOME TIME TO MAKE S5SE FROM1 :]E IT DIDN'T SAY 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE0 LIKE HE'D EXPECT$4 ,:AT IT SAID 9/EAD1 HE F9ALLY FIGUR$ \T1 WAS 0,FAI?'S ,REVIEW & ,EXPECTATION01 & !N UND] ?AT !RE WAS SOME L9ES FROM \T ! ,BIBLE 9 ! FIR/ BOOK ( ! ,*RONICLES1 :AT HAD ,K+ ,DAVID ASK ! ,LORD ',:AT IS M9E H\SE1 ?AT ?\ HA/ BR\<T ME HI!RTO8' ,AT LA/1 BEL[ :]E IT SAID ?AT1 !RE WAS ! WORDS ALL PR9T$ FROM 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE04 ,HE LOOK$ !M OV]1 K9D ( S++ !M 9SIDE HIS HEAD SO'S HE C\LD MAKE 'EM \T MORE EASY4 ,HE WAS DO+ F9E UNTIL HE GOT D[N TO ! LA/ V]SE1 :I* W]5'T LIKE ! ONE HE WAS FAMILI> )4 ,?AT ONE1 ! ONE HE KNEW1 SAID AB\T H[ :5 WE'D BE5 H]E T5 ?\S& YE>S 9 ! BRI<T %9+ SUN1 S++ ,GOD'S PRAISE1 WE'D NOT HAVE H>DLY />T$4 ,?IS ONE 9 ! BOOK H]E DIDN'T S\ND LIKE IT EXPECT$ NO T5 ?\S& YE>S1 & W]5'T ANTICIPAT+ ANY?+ WAS %9+ OR WAS BRI<T4 

,! E>? %ALL SOON DISSOLVE LIKE SN[1 

,! SUN =BE> TO %9E2 

,BUT ,GOD1 :O CALL$ ME H]E BEL[1 

,WILL BE =EV] M9E4 

,UPON CONSID]ATION1 ,H5RY ?\<T ! LA/ V]SE :AT HE KNEW WAS BE/1 AL?\< HE UND]/OOD IT W]5'T ONE :AT ! ,REV]5D ,NEWTON WRIT HIMSELF4 ,MO/ LIKELY1 HE SUPPOS$1 ! ONE ) ! T5 ?\S& YE>S & %9+ SUN WAS WRIT \T 9 ,AM]ICA1 :I* WAS A C\NTRY :AT WAS Y\NG] ?AN :AT ,5GL& WAS1 & ) A BRI<T] VIEW ( EV]Y?+4 ,H]E :]E ! L& WAS OLD] & !Y'D SE5 ALL MANN] ( GREAT K+DOMS COME & GO1 ?IS WAS A C\NTRY :]E ,WORLD'S ,5D LOOK$ CLOSE BY1 :]E ! GR\ND BEL[ Y\R FEET MI<T CRUMBLE ALL TO DU/ ) AGE1 ! SUN ABOVE Y\R HEAD BURN \T AT ANY M9UTE4 ,H5RY LIK$ ! SONG H[ HE'D BE5 TAU<T IT BETT]1 ) ! S5SE IT GIVE H[ EV]Y?+ WAS GO+ TO BE ALL RI<T1 BUT 9 HIS HE>T HE FELT ! WAY ?AT ,MR4 ,NEWTON HAD IT H]E WAS POSSIBLY MORE TRUE4 ,HE /OOD !RE = SOME M9UTES :ILE HE F9I%$ UP ! READ+ ( IT ALL1 & !N HE GIVE ! BOOK BACK TO ,DAN ,TITE1 MUMBL+ H[ ,MR4 ,NEWTON WAS A GREAT MAN1 A GREAT MAN4 

,! W>D5 TOOK ! ,OLNEY ,HYMNS (F ,H5RY & !N PUT IT BACK :]E IT HAD BE5 BE=E4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ,H5RY QUIZZICALLY A MOM5T1 AS ?\< HE W]E TRY+ TO FIGURE SOME?+ \T1 & :5 HE SPOKE IT HAD A S(T] TONE :AT WAS MORE 9TIMATE1 LIKE !Y WAS REALLY TALK+ AB\T ?+S :AT WAS IMPORTANT N[4 

0,HE WAS4 ,HE WAS A GREAT MAN1 & ,I ?9K IT'S V]Y ,*RI/IAN Y\ %\LD SAY SO40 

,H5RY NODD$1 ?\< HE W]5'T SURE :Y HE DID4 ,HE DIDN'T RI<TLY UND]/& H[ PAY+ SIMPLE COMPLIM5TS WAS SE5 TO BE A ,*RI/IAN ACT1 BUT DIDN'T WANT ,DAN ,TITE %\LD ?9K ( HIM AS AN UN$UCAT$ BLACK MAN1 SO HE DIDN'T SAY A WORD4 ,HE JU/ /OOD %UFFL+ :ILE ! W>D5 WEI<$ HIM UP ?R\< !M R\ND LITTLE SPECTACLES4 ,DAN LOOK$ 9 ,H5RY'S %IFT+ & UNC]TA9 EYES & GIVE K9D ( A SI<4 

0,*>LEY 444 IT WAS ,*>LEY1 WASN'T IT8 ,WELL1 ,*>LEY1 LET ME ASK Y\ SOME?+4 ,DID Y\ HE> MU* AB\T ,MR4 ,NEWTON :]E Y\ CAME FROM1 ( HIS LIFE & ?AT80 

,H5RY ADMITT$1 TO HIS %AME1 ?AT HE'D NOT HE>D ( ,NEWTON'S NAME BE=E ?AT AFT]NOON1 NOR ?AT HE'D WRIT 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE40 ,! *UR*W>D5 ASSUR$ HIM AS IT DIDN'T MATT]1 & !N C>RI$ ON :AT HE WAS SAY+4 

0,:AT Y\ HAVE TO UND]/& ) ,MR4 ,NEWTON IS HE DIDN'T COME TO HIS RELIGI\S CALL+ UNTIL HE WAS NE>LY =TY1 SO HE'D KNOCK$ AB\T A BIT BY ?AT AGE1 IF Y\ TAKE MY MEAN+40 

,H5RY W]5'T SURE ?AT HE DID1 BUT ,DAN ,TITE W5T ON ANYWAY4 

0,Y\ SEE1 HIS FA!R WAS COMM&] ( A M]*ANT %IP1 ALWAYS AT SEA1 & Y\NG ,JOHN ,NEWTON WAS A LAD ( JU/ ELEV5 :5 HE W5T !RE ) HIM4 ,MADE A FEW TRIPS ) HIS DAD1 AS Y\ MI<T SAY1 BE=E HIS DAD RETIR$4 ,I ?9K HE WASN'T TW5TY YET :5 HE GOT PRESS-GANG$ 9TO S]VICE ON A MAN-O'-W>1 :]E HE DES]T$ & WAS FLOGG$40 

,H5RY SCRAT*$ AT HIS >M & W9C$4 ,HE'D SE5 M5 :IPP$4 ,DAN ,TITE W5T RI<T ON ) HIS TALE1 ITS E*O MUTT]+ UP ! CORN] ( ! VE/IBULE LIKE SOME OLD RELATIVE T\*$ 9 !Y M9D4 

0,HE ASK$ IF HE C\LD BE EX*ANG$ TO S]VICE ON ANO!R %IP4 ,IT WAS A SLAVE %IP1 SAIL+ = ,SI]RA ,LEONE ON ! WE/]N COA/ ( ,AFRICA4 ,HE BECAME ! TRAD]'S S]VANT & WAS TREAT$ 9 A BRUTAL FA%ION1 AS Y\ CAN IMAG9E W\LD BE LIKELY ) A LAD ( ?AT AGE4 ,HE WAS LUCKY1 ?\<1 & A SEA CAPTA9 :O HAD KN[N HIS FA!R CAME ALONG & SAV$ HIM40 

,H5RY UND]/OOD N[1 :Y ,DAN ,TITE WAS TELL+ HIM ALL ?IS1 AS PA9FUL AS IT WAS4 ,HE'D BE5 SURPRIS$ :5 HE F\ND \T IT WAS A :ITE MAN WROTE 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE04 ,HE'D ALWAYS ?\<T ONLY A BLACK MAN C\LD HAVE KN[$ ! SORR[ :AT WAS 9 ?AT SONG1 BUT ?IS MADE S5SE \T ( IT4 ,MR4 ,NEWTON HAD BE5 CAPTIVE ON A SLAVE BOAT1 JU/ LIKE ,H5RY'S MAMA & HIS POPPA WAS4 ,HE'D SUFF]$ AT ! H&S ( FI5DS & DEVILS1 JU/ LIKE !Y'D DONE4 ,?AT WAS H[ HE'D COME TO WRITE !M WORDS1 AB\T H[ SWEET IT WAS TO HAVE RELIEF )9 ! ,LORD FROM ALL ?AT SUFF]+4 ,! *UR*W>D5 HAD WANT$ HE %\LD KN[ H[ ! CONVICTIONS 9 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE0 WAS COME ( ,MR4 ,NEWTON'S H>D EXP]I5CE1 ?AT MU* WAS PLA94 ,H5RY WAS GRATEFUL4 ,IT JU/ GIVE HIM ALL ! MORE RESPECT = ! GOOD MAN BEH9D ! WRIT+4 ,:5 HE SUNG 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE0 N[ HE C\LD ?9K ( ,PA/OR ,NEWTON & ! TRIALS HE'D OV]COME4 ,HE GR9N$ & /UCK HIS H& \T TO ,DAN ,TITE4 

0,SIR1 ,I'M REAL GRATEFUL = ?AT 9=MATION1 & = LETT+ ME TAKE UP Y\R TIME 9 TELL+ IT4 ,IT S\NDS LIKE ,MR4 ,NEWTON HAD SOME TR\BLES1 RI<T 5\<1 BUT PRAISE ! ,LORD ?AT HE LIV$ ?R\< 'EM ALL & WROTE A SONG ?AT BEAUTIFUL4 ,IT ONLY MAKES ME ?9K ! BETT] ( HIM1 HE>+ :AT Y\ SAID40 

,! W>D5 DIDN'T TAKE HIS H&4 ,HE JU/ HELD UP HIS [N1 ! PALM TURN$ \T TO ,H5RY LIKE IT WAS A W>N+4 ,! OLD MAN HAD GOT A LOOK ON HIS P9K FACE N[ WAS REAL S]I\S4 ,HE %OOK HIS HEAD1 SO ?AT HIS :ITE SIDE-:ISK]S FLAPP$ LIKE SAILS4 

0,Y\ HAV5'T HE>D IT ALL40 

,A *UR* CLOCK SOME:]E /RUCK = HALF-PA/ F\R1 EI!R 9 ,Y>DLEY UP AHEAD ( HIM OR ,OLNEY BACK BEH9D HIM1 :5 HE'D F9ALLY WALK$ HIS BICYCLE & WAGON ALL ! WAY BACK UP ! /EEP SLOPE ( ! ,Y>DLEY ,ROAD1 N[ TRUDG+ ?R\< ! PUDDLES :AT HE'D SKIMM$ ON HIS WAY D[N4 

,H5RY WAS ALL 9 PIECES1 DIDN'T KN[ :AT HE %\LD ?9K4 ,HE'D WALK A LITTLE !N HE'D /OP & RUB ! FAT P>T ( HIS H& ACROSS HIS EYES1 WIP+ ! TE>S (F D[N HIS *EEKS SO'S HE C\LD SEE :]E HE WAS GO+ & IT W]5'T ALL JU/ A FOG ( BR[N & GRE54 ,UP AT ! TOP !RE ( ! LANE1 JU/ :5 ! CLOCK WAS /RIK+1 HE CLIMB$ BACK ONTO HIS SADDLE & BEGUN ! LONG RIDE BACK TO ,SC>LETWELL4 

,JOHN ,NEWTON HAD BECOME A SLAVE-TRAD]4 ,?AT'S :AT ,DAN ,TITE HAD TOLD HIM4 ,EV5 :5 HE'D JU/ GOT RESCU$ FROM A SLAV]1 EV5 :5 HE KN[$ :AT IT WAS LIKE ABO>D !Y %IPS1 HE'D GONE & GOT A VESSEL SO AS HE C\LD PLY ?AT TRADE HIMSELF4 ,HE'D GOT RI* (F IT1 HE'D GOT RI* (F ( SLAV+ & !N LAT] ON HE'D MADE HIS BIG REP5TANCE & BECOME A M9I/] & DONE 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE04 ,DE> ,LORD1 DE> SWEET ,LORD ON ! CROSS IT WAS A SLAV] WROTE 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE04 ,HE HAD TO PUT HIS WOOD BLOCKS D[N UPON ! GR\ND SO'S HE C\LD WIPE HIS EYES AGA94 

,H[ C\LD ?AT BE8 ,H[ C\LD Y\ GET FLOGG$ AS A BOY N9ETE5 YE>S OLD1 HAVE ,LORD KN[S :AT DONE ) Y\ AS A SLAV]'S S]VANT1 H[ C\LD Y\ GO ?R\< ALL ?AT1 !N SEE IT DONE TO SOMEONE ELSE = GA98 ,HE KNEW N[ :AT ?AT LOOK HAD BE51 :AT HE'D SAW 9 ! PORTRAIT'S EYES4 ,JOHN ,NEWTON WAS A GUILTY MAN1 A MAN ) BLOOD & T> & FEA!RS ON HIS H&S4 ,JOHN ,NEWTON WAS A MAN MO/ LIKELY DAMN$4 

,HE'D GOT HIS FEEL+S UND] SOME CONTROL N[1 SO HE />T$ UP HIS BICYCLE & C>RI$ ON1 BACK UP ! ,B$=D ,ROAD & PA/ ! ,R$ ,LION :AT HE'D SE5 BE=E1 SAV+ ?AT IT WAS ON HIS RI<T ?IS TIME4 ,IT S\ND$ FULL1 ! PUBLIC H\SE1 ) ALL ! NOISE WAS COM+ FROM IT1 FELL]S LAU<+1 S++ BITS FROM SONGS :AT FLOAT$ \T ACROSS ! EMPTY FIELDS4 ,UPON HIS LEFT1 ! RA9B[ :AT HAD BE5 ABOVE ! CLATT]+ WAT]FALL W]5'T !RE NO MORE4 ,! SUN WAS GETT+ L[ D[N 9 ! WE/ AHEAD ( HIM AS HE W5T BY ! SECOND ,Y>DLEY B5D & MADE = ,D5TON ) ALL MANN] ( CONSID]ATIONS TURN+ OV] 9 HIS HE>T4 

,H5RY C\LD SEE1 AFT] HE'D *EW$ UPON IT = A TIME1 ?AT IT W]5'T JU/ A MATT] ( H[ ,NEWTON C\LD HAVE GONE FROM ONE SIDE ( ! :IPP+-PO/ /RAI<T TO ! O!R4 ,N[ HE'D ?\<T AB\T IT1 ,H5RY W\LD ALL[ ?AT !RE MO/ LIKELY HAD BE5 PL5TY O!R FOLKS HAD DONE ! SAME4 ,:Y1 HE HIMSELF KN[$ PEOPLE :AT WAS TREAT$ BAD1 !N TOOK IT \T ON O!RS 9 !Y TURN4 ,?AT W]5'T ! ?+ :AT WAS EXCEPTIONAL AB\T ,JOHN ,NEWTON1 H[ HE'D />T$ \T NO BETT] ?AN A SLAVE & !N TOOK UP ?AT BUS9ESS = HIMSELF4 ,?AT W]5'T NO PUZZLE1 OR AT LEA/ NOT MU* ( ONE4 ,! ?+ :AT SEIZ$ ON ,H5RY'S M9D WAS MORE H[ ,NEWTON C\LD HAVE BE5 9 WORK SO EVIL & !N WRIT 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE04 ,WAS IT ALL %AM1 !M L9ES :AT HAD MOV$ ,H5RY & HIS PEOPLE SO8 ,WAS IT NO MORE ?AN ,BUFFALO ,BILL'S ,WILD ,WE/ ,%[1 'CEPT = IT WAS 9 A *UR* & HAD F9E S5TIM5TS :]E ,CODY HAD HIS R$SK9S8 

,RI<T ( HIM & WAY (F TO ! NOR? A SPRAY ( ROO/+ BIRDS WAS ROSE 9 BLACK SPECKS OV] ! D>K WOODS BY ,CA/LE ,A%BY1 LOOK$ LIKE A%ES BL[$ UP FROM ! BURNT PAT* :]E A FIRE HAD BE54 ,HE C>RI$ ON ALONG ! ,B$=D ,ROAD1 HUN*$ LIKE A CR[ OV] HIS H&LEB>S4 ,FROM UP ABOVE HE FIGUR$ H[ HE MU/ BE> A RESEMBLANCE TO ONE ON !M T9 NOVELTIES HE'D SE51 !M :]E Y\ CRANK$ ! H&LE & A LITTLE FELL] SITT+ ON A BICYCLE RODE 9* BY 9* ON A /RAI<T WIRE ) ONLY HIS KNEES MOV+1 GO+ UP & D[N !RE ON ! P$ALS4 

,EV5 KN[+ :AT HE KN[$ N[ AB\T ,NEWTON1 ,H5RY C\LDN'T SEE H[ WORDS :AT WAS SO HE>TFELT C\LD HAVE BE5 PRET5SE 5TIRE4 ,DAN ,TITE HAD SAID H[ MO/ FOLKS FIGUR$ AS ! SONG WAS WRIT AB\T A DREADFUL /ORM :AT ,NEWTON & HIS SLAV+-BOAT HAD COME ?R\< ON A HOMEW>D J\RNEY :AT HE MADE 9 ,MAY1 SEV5TE5 HUNDR$ =TY-EI<T4 ,CALL$ IT HIS GREAT DELIV]ANCE & SAID IT WAS ! DAY ,GOD'S GRACE HAD COME UPON HIM1 ?\< IT W]5'T 'TIL NE> ON SEV5 YE>S HAD PASS$ A=E HE GIVE UP SLAV+4 ,TREAT$ HIS SLAVES DEC5T FROM :AT ! *UR*W>D5 SAID1 ?\< ,H5RY DIDN'T RI<TLY KN[ H[ Y\ C\LD USE A WORD LIKE DEC5T UP AGA9/ A WORD LIKE SLAVES4 ,IT WAS AB\T ! SAME AS SAY+ SPID]S WAS CONSID]ATE TO !Y FLIES1 H[ ,H5RY SE5 IT4 ,ALL ! SAME1 HE W\LD CONC$E H[ JU/ BECAUSE A FELL] W]5'T CONV]T$ ALL AT ONCE OR OV]NI<T ! WAY HE SAID HE WAS1 ?AT DIDN'T MEAN H[ HIS CONV]SION C\LDN'T COME TO BE S9C]E4 ,C\LD BE H[ BY ! TIME :AT ,NEWTON WROTE 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE0 HE WAS REGRETFUL ( A LOT ( ?+S HE'D DONE4 ,C\LD BE ?AT'S :AT HE MEANT :5 HE SAID H[ HE'D BE5 A WRET*4 ,H5RY HAD PREVI\SLY SUPPOS$ AS H[ ! SONG HAD MEANT A POOR WRET* JU/ LIKE ANYBODY WAS1 BUT HE C\LD SEE N[ H[ ,JOHN ,NEWTON MI<T HAVE POSSIBLY 9T5D$ = ! WORDS TO HAVE A /RONG] MEAN+1 :AT WAS P]SONAL TO HIM4 ,A WRET* LIKE ME4 ,A =NICAT+1 DR9K+1 :OR+1 CUSS+1 SLAV+ WRET* LIKE ME4 ,H5RY HAD NEV] ?\<T AB\T ! SONG LIKE ?AT BE=E1 HAD ONLY HE>D ! BRI<T ?+S :AT WAS 9 IT & HE>D NO?+ :AT WAS SAVAGE OR WAS PA9FUL4 ,PREVI\S TO ?IS DAY HE'D NEV] HE>D ! %AME4 

,HE WAS APPROA*+ ,D5TON N[1 HIS %AD[ GETT+ LONG] ON ! TRACK BEH9D ( HIM4 ,! ROAD WAS =K$ H]E1 LIKE IT WAS UPON ! VILLAGE'S F> SIDE1 & ,H5RY TOOK ! R\TE MO/ TO HIS LEFT SO AS HE C\LD PASS BY ! PLACE4 ,HE W5T ON BY ! SIDE PA? :AT RUN D[N TO ,HORTON & !N PASS$ ! ?AT*$ HUMPS ( ,GRANGE ,F>M :AT WAS JU/ SLI<TLY FUR!R ON4 ,! PL[$ BLACK RUTS :AT FILL$ ! FIELDS WAS P[D]$ GOLD ALONG !Y TOPS :]E ! L[ SUN'S RAYS T\*$ !M4 ,ALL ! LITTLE SPR+S & FIDDLES 9 HIS BACK WAS ACT+ UP SO ?AT HE FELT HIS AGE N[ AS HE P$AL$ ON = ,BRAFIELD1 HORSES WAT*+ HIM ACROSS ! H$G][S1 UNCONC]N$4 

,ACCORD+ TO ,DAN ,TITE1 ,JOHN ,NEWTON HAD GIVE UP HIS SEAF>+ & SLAV+ SOME YE>S AFT] HE GOT M>RI$1 :I* WAS 9 SEV5TE5 HUNDR$ FIFTY4 ,EV5 !N1 IT S\ND$ AS ?\< IT WAS ILLNESS MADE HIM M5D HIS WAYS1 & NOT CONVICTION4 ,!N1 SEV5TE5 SIXTY OR NE> TO1 HE GOT ORDA9$ AS A *UR* M9I/] AT ,OLNEY :]E HE MET UP ) ! POET FELL] ,MR4 ,COOP] :AT WAS SPELL$ AS ,C[-P]1 :O'D COME TO ! VILLAGE SOME YE>S AFT] HE'D DONE4 ,FROM ! LITTLE :AT ,DAN ,TITE HAD SAID ( ,C[P] IT HAD SEEM$ TO ,H5RY ?AT ! POET WAS A TR\BL$ MAN )9 HIS HE>T & M9D1 & HE C\LD SEE H[ ?AT WAS MAYBE :Y ,JOHN ,NEWTON HAD TOOK SU* A %9E TO HIM4 ,!Y'D WRIT SONGS = !Y S]VICES & PRAY] MEET+S & SU*1 ) ,NEWTON PUTT+ 9 ! BE/ P>T ( ! LABOR1 WRIT+ F\R = EV]Y ONE ( ,C[P]'S4 ,SEEMS H[ ,PA/OR ,NEWTON WAS A GREAT ONE = HIS WRIT+1 NOT JU/ ) HIS HYMNS BUT ALSO 9 HIS DI>IES & HIS LETT]-WRIT+4 ,! *UR*W>D5 SAID H[ IF IT W]5'T = ,NEWTON'S WRIT+S1 NOBODY W\LD KN[ A ?+ TODAY AB\T H[ SLAV+ WAS 9 EI<TE5?-C5TURY TIMES4 ,H5RY EXPECT$ AS HE MEANT NOBODY :ITE4 

,NEWTON HAD WRIT 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE01 !Y RECKON$1 MAYBE LATE AS EI<TE5 SEV5TY :5 HE WAS =TY-FIVE OR !REAB\TS4 ,SOME T5 YE> AFT] ?AT HE'D GONE FROM ,OLNEY UP TO ,LONDON1 :]E HE WAS ! RECTOR AT A PLACE !Y CALL$ ,SA9T ,M>Y ,WOOLNO?4 ,H]E HE'D GIVE SOME S]MONS :AT WAS WELL REG>D$1 !N W5T BL9D A=E HE DI$ :5 HE WAS EI<TY-TWO4 ,MAYBE HE ?\<T AS HE'D ATON$1 BUT ,H5RY DIDN'T KN[ A CRIME WAS WORSE !N SELL+ O!RS 9TO SLAV]Y4 ,EV5 ! ,LORD 9 ALL HIS M]CY HAD S5T PLAGUES ON ,EGYPT :5 ! ,HEBREWS WAS !Y SLAVES1 & ,H5RY W]5'T SURE :AT IT TOOK TO MAKE ATONEM5T = A S9 ?AT GRIEV\S4 

,HE WAS SO CAU<T UP 9 ALL HIS ?\<TS HE'D GONE BY ,BRAFIELD '=E HE KNEW IT & WAS RID+ ON DUE WE/ T[>DS ! ,H\<TONS ) ! R$ SUN L[]$ LIKE A FIREBR&1 JU/ AB\T TO SET LI<T TO ! TREES ON ! HORIZON UP AHEAD ( HIM4 ,H5RY WAS ?9K+ AB\T ,NEWTON & ( H[ PECULI> IT WAS HE %\LD GO BL9D :5 9 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE0 HE WROTE ( JU/ ! OPPOSITE4 ,HE WAS ALSO TURN+ OV] SOME?+ ELSE ,DAN ,TITE HAD SAID AB\T :5 ,NEWTON WAS 9 ,LONDON AT ,SA9T ,M>Y ,WOOLNO?1 GIV+ ALL HIS S]MONS4 ,! OLD *UR*W>D5 HAD SAID H[ 9 ! CONGREGATION !RE WAS ,MR4 ,WILLIAM ,WILB]=CE1 :O'D GONE ON AS AN ABOLITIONI/ & DONE A LOT TO PUT AN 5D TO SLAV]Y = GOOD4 ,IT SEEM$ 9 ?IS REG>D AS HE'D F\ND ,PA/OR ,NEWTON'S S]MONS G5]ALLY 9SPIR+4 ,MAYBE IF IT W]5'T = ,NEWTON & HIS GREAT REP5TANCE1 NEV] M9D IF IT W]E G5U9E OR NOT1 !N SLAV]Y MI<T NOT HAVE GOTT5 OV]TURN$ AS E>LY AS IT DID1 OR MAYBE EV5 NOT AT ALL4 ,! RI<TS & WRONGS ( IT W5T BACK & =? AS ,H5RY P$AL$ BY ! TURNS = ,LITTLE ,H\<TON ON HIS RI<T & !N1 AB\T A MILE PA/ ?AT1 ! ONE D[N TO ,GREAT ,H\<TON ON HIS LEFT4 ,! SKY ABOVE ,NOR?AMPTON WAS LIKE TREASURE 9 A B$ ( ROSES4 

,H5RY KNEW IT WAS ! ,*RI/IAN ?+1 =GIV+ ,MR4 ,NEWTON :AT HE'D DONE1 BUT SLAV]Y W]5'T JU/ A WORD1 \T FROM !M HI/ORY BOOKS HE C\LDN'T READ4 ,HE SCRAT*$ HIS >M & ?\<T AB\T :AT HE REMEMB]$ FROM !M DAYS4 ,HE'D BE5 >\ND ?IRTE5 YE>S OLD1 HE ?\<T1 :5 ,MR4 ,L9COLN WON ! ,CIVIL ,W> & SET ! SLAVES ALL FREE4 ,H5RY WAS M>K$ UP AS A SLAVE SIX YE> BY !N1 AL?\< FROM ?AT EV5T1 :5 HE WAS SEV51 HE RECALL$ NOT ONE ?+ SAVE HIS MAMA CRY+1 SAY+ HU%4 ,:AT COME BACK MO/ TO HIM WAS H[ SC>$ EV]YBODY WAS1 ! DAY !Y HE>D !Y WAS EMANCIPAT$4 ,IT WAS LIKE )9 !Y HE>TS !Y KN[$ IT WAS ! COLOR$ FOLK W\LD BE 9 TR\BLE AB\T GETT+ FRE$1 & ?AT WAS H[ IT PROV$ TO BE4 ,! OLD PLANTATION BOSSES LIK$ TO SAY H[ ALL ! SLAVES WAS HAPPI] BE=E !Y GOT SET LOOSE1 & IT WAS ! PLANTATION BOSSES & !Y FRI5DS MADE SURE AS ?AT WAS TRUE4 ,! T5 YE> ,H5RY & HIS FOLKS HAD SP5T 9 ,T5NESSEE BE=E !Y W5T TO ,KANSAS1 !Y WAS NO?+ ELSE BUT RAPES & BEAT+S1 HANG+S1 KILL+S1 BURN+S2 IT MADE ,H5RY SICK TO ?9K ( IT4 ,!Y WAS ALL BE+ PUNI%$ 'CAUSE !Y'D BE5 LET GO1 ?AT WAS ! HONE/ TRU?4 

,! FLAMES WAS DY+ D[N UPON ! CL\D-BANKS 9 ! WE/ & D>K] BLUES /A9+ ! HEAV5S UP BEH9D HIM :5 HE COME ALONG BESIDE ,MIDSUMM] ,MEAD[ 9 ! WAY ( ,BECKETT'S ,P>K4 ,C[ ,MEAD[1 ?AT WAS :AT ! FOLKS D[N ,SC>LETWELL /ILL CALL$ ! FIELDS R\ND H]E1 ?\< !Y SAID ,M$D] '/EAD ( ,MEAD[4 ,H5RY HAD BE5 TOLD H[ IT WAS H]E ANO!R ( ! ,5GLI% ,W>S GOT SETTL$4 ,?IS ONE W]5'T !Y ,CIVIL ,W>1 AL?\< ?AT HAD ITS LA/ BIG BATTLE PRETTY CLOSE TO H]E4 ,?IS WAS A W> !Y HAD BE=E ?AT :AT !Y CALL$ ! ,ROSE ,W>1 AL?\< ,H5RY C\LDN'T SAY :AT IT HAD BE5 AB\T OR RI<TLY :5 IT WAS4 ,HE C\LDN'T HELP BUT ?9K IF ,5GL& WAS ,AM]ICA1 & IF Y\ HAD A PLACE :]E BO? ! ,W> ( ,9DEP5D5CE & ! ,CIVIL ,W> HAD F9I%$ UP1 !N !RE'D HAVE BE5 A BIGG] ?+ MADE \T ( IT4 ,P]HAPS ?AT WAS JU/ MORE ! WAY H]E1 TALK+ ?+S D[N1 AL?\< IT HAD ALWAYS SEEM$ TO ,H5RY H[ ! ,5GLI% LIK$ TO PUFF !Y PA/ TIMES UP AS MU* AS ANYBODY1 & CONSID]ABLY MORE ?AN MO/4 ,IT WAS AS IF ! FOLKS :AT WRIT !M HI/ORY BOOKS JU/ C\LDN'T SEE ,NOR?AMPTON SOMEH[1 LIKE IT HAD A VEIL ACROSS IT OR LIKE !Y WAS HORSES WE>+ BL9K]S ) ! :OLE T[N ON !Y BL9D SIDE4 

,:5 HE REA*$ ! CROSSROADS1 ) ! HOSPITAL UPON HIS RI<T & :AT !Y CALL$ ! ,D]N ,GATE UP AHEAD ( HIM1 HE /OPP$ !RE BY ! DR9K+ F\NTA9 AT ,SA9T ,?OMAS ,BECKET'S WELL & SET HIS BICYCLE AGA9/ ! RUGG$ WALL :ILE HE /OOP$ D[N & TOOK A DR9K1 ! WAY :AT HE'D DONE E>LI]4 ,! WAT] DIDN'T SEEM TO TA/E AS SWEET AS H[ IT HAD ?AT MORN+1 AL?\< ,H5RY [N$ AS HIS [N FEEL+S MAY HAVE HAD AN 9FLU5CE ON ?AT4 ,IT HAD A BITT] TANG N[ AFT] IT WAS SWALL[$4 ,Y\ C\LD TA/E ! METAL 9 IT4 

,HE GOT ON HIS BIKE AGA9 & AT ! CROSSROADS HE TURN$ LEFT1 ALONG ,VICTORIA ,PROM5ADE :AT W5T D[N BY ! NOR? SIDE ( ! P>K !RE4 ,HE RODE 9 AMONG ! C>TS & TROLLEY C>S & SU*1 :]E EV]YONE WAS MAK+ !Y WAY HOME UND] A SKY NE> PURPLE1 SKIMM+ ?R\< ! LEAVES FELL 9 ! GUTT]S AS HE LEFT ! MEAD[L&S BEH9D HIM & W5T ON ?R\< ! GOOD-NATUR$ /9K BESIDE ! CATTLE Y>DS4 ,! P5S :AT HELD ! ANIMALS WAS (F ON ,H5RY'S LEFT1 :]E N[ & !N Y\ HE>D SOME L[+ OR SOME BLEAT+ COM+ ?R\< ! GLOOM4 ,AS HE ROLL$ BY HE ?\<T AB\T H[ :5 HE'D VIEW$ IT 9 ! DAYLI<T Y\ C\LD SEE H[ ALL ! %EEP1 C[S & :AT HAVE Y\ WAS ALL M>K$ ) DYE1 GOT LITTLE SPLA%ES ( IT ON !Y BACKS1 BO? R$ & BLUE4 ,HE'D NEV] SE5 ONE BR&$1 N[ HE ?\<T AB\T IT1 NOT 9 ALL ! TIME :AT HE'D BE5 OV] H]E4 ,HE LET ?AT NOTION SETTLE 9 :ILE HE CONT9U$ PA/ ! ,PL[ ,HOTEL1 :AT WAS !RE AT ! ,BRIDGE ,/REET CROSSROADS ON HIS RI<T1 & C>RI$ ON T[>DS :]E ! GAS-HOLD]'S IRON FRAME ROSE UP AGA9/ ! GRAY LI<T OV] ,GAS ,/REET4 ,H]E HE /UCK \T HIS RI<T H& TO SIGNAL HE WAS GO+ TO TURN1 & !N W5T NOR? UP ,HORSE%OE ,/REET1 HE>T HEAVY 9 HIS *E/4 

,IT WAS /ILL ,PA/OR ,NEWTON WAS UPSETT+ ,H5RY4 ,HE W]5'T C]TA9 AS HE C\LD 5JOY 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE0 QUITE ! SAME WAY AGA91 NOT KN[+ :AT HE KN[$4 ,:Y1 HE W]5'T EV5 SURE IF HE C\LD BR+ HIMSELF TO WOR%IP 9 A *UR* AGA91 NOT IF !M *UR*M5 C\LD HAVE MADE !Y MONEY DO+ ,LORD KN[S :AT4 ,IT W]5'T ?AT ,H5RY HAD BE5 MADE TO D\BT HIS FAI?1 = ?AT C\LD NEV] BE1 BUT MORE LIKE HE HAD COME TO D\BT ! M9I/]S PROCLAIM+ IT4 ,C\LD BE ?AT 9 FUTURE ,H5RY MI<T GO BACK TO SAY+ PRAY]S 9 %$S & B>NS1 :]EV] IT WAS QUIET1 ! WAY HIM & HIS FOLKS HAD BACK 9 ,T5NESSEE4 ,:5 Y\ WAS KNEEL+ 9 A B>N Y\ KNEW AS ,GOD WAS !RE1 ! SAME LIKE Y\ WAS 9 A *UR*4 ,! DIFF]5CE WAS ?AT 9 A B>N Y\ C\LD BE SURE Y\ DIDN'T HAVE A DEVIL 9 ! PULPIT4 

,H5RY KNEW AS IT W]5'T FAIR TO JUDGE ALL REV]5DS BY ! S9S ( ONE1 BUT IT WAS JU/ HIS TRU/ 9 ?AT PR(ESSION HAD GOT %OOK4 ,HE WASN'T EV5 RI<TLY SURE AS HE C\LD FAIRLY JUDGE ,JOHN ,NEWTON1 :AT ) ALL ! CONTRADICTIONS AS !RE WAS AB\T HIS /ORY1 BUT HE FELT AS ALL ! SAME HE HAD A RI<T TO BE REAL DISAPPO9T$ 9 ! MAN4 ,! /&>D BY :I* ,H5RY WEI<$ SU* ?+S WAS ?AT ( ORD9>Y FOLKS1 & HE KNEW NEI!R HE NOR ANYBODY AS HE KN[$ HAD EV] SOLD ANO!R LIV+ P]SON 9TO SLAV]Y4 

',C\RSE1 NOBODY HE KN[$ HAD EV] WRIT 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE0 OR BE5 NO 9FLU5CE ON ,MR4 ,WILLIAM ,WILB]=CE & ALL ?AT NEI!R4 ,!RE WAS ?AT TO ?9K (4 ,RATTL+ ON ! COBBLES AS HE MADE H>D WORK ( CLIMB+ ,HORSE%OE ,/REET1 ! >GUM5TS SWUNG TO & FRO 9SIDE ( HIM )\T !Y COME TO ANY REAL CONCLUSION Y\ MI<T CALL4 ,UP AT ! TOP !RE :]E HIS R\TE CROSS$ OV] ,GOLD ,/REET WAS A BIG OLD HORSE-BUS COM+ \T ( ,M>EFAIR SO'S HE HAD TO PUT HIS WOOD BLOCKS D[N UPON ! /REET & /OP :ILE IT W5T BY4 

,\T ONE SIDE ( HIS EYE :ILE HE /OOD WAIT+ !RE HE C\LD SEE ?IS Y\NG SK9NY FELL]1 IDL+ ON ! CORN] :]E !Y HAD ! ,PALACE ( ,V>IETIES4 ,! MAN WAS />+ H>D AT ,H5RY :O1 SEE+ AS HE WAS ( A D[NCA/ TURN ( M9D1 DECID$ ?AT ?IS WAS MO/ LIKELY ON ACC\NT ( ,H5RY BE+ BLACK OR HAV+ ROPE >\ND HIS :EELS OR SOME FOOL ?+ LIKE ?AT4 ,HE MADE \T AS HE DIDN'T NOTICE ! Y\NG FELL] GAWP+ AT HIM1 & !N :5 ! HORSE-BUS HAD DRUG ITSELF BY & ON UP ,GOLD ,/REET1 ,H5RY /OOD UPON HIS P$ALS & CONT9U$ PA/ ! CROSSROADS & UPHILL1 BY :AT !Y CALL$ ,HORSEM>KET4 ,D>K WAS SETTL+ ON ! ,BOR\<S LIKE F9E SOOT AS ,H5RY CYCL$ UP ALONG ITS EA/W>D $GE1 & !RE WAS GASLI<TS BURN+ 9 SOME W9D[S N[4 ,! WAGONS WAS ALL FIR+ UP !Y LANT]NS1 SO ?AT HE WAS GLAD AT LEA/ HIS HAIR & BE>D WAS :ITE1 & FOLKS W\LD SEE HIM SO HE DIDN'T GET RUN D[N4 

,HORSEM>KET SEEM$ TO HIM MORE /EEP ?AN USUAL1 GOT ALL ! DOCTORS' H\SES LOOK+ COZY TO HIS LEFT !RE & ACROSS ! ROAD IT WAS ALL OV]HUNG ) TREES GREW \T ! G>D5S ( ,SA9T ,KA!R9E'S4 ,:5 HE GOT UP TO ,M>Y'S ,/REET HE TURN$ ALONG IT4 ,CLATT]+ & CREAK+ HE MADE (F 9TO ! GRAY+ TANGLE ( ! REAL OLD NEI<BORHOOD1 :AT US$ TO BE ALL ( ! T[N !RE WAS4 

,AS MU* AS ,H5RY LIK$ ! DI/RICT :]E HE LIV$1 HE C\LDN'T SAY AS HE MU* C>$ TO SEE IT 9 ! TWILI<T4 ,?AT'S :5 ?+S ALL LO/ !Y $GES & !Y %APES1 & :AT Y\ KNEW W]5'T REAL BY DAYLI<T SEEM$ A LOT MORE POSSIBLE4 ,HOBGOBL9S1 FI5DS & SU* AS ?AT1 ?IS WAS ! TIME Y\ SE5 'EM1 :5 ! PA9T PEEL$ (F A WOOD GATE MADE A %APE LIKE SOMEONE /&+ !RE1 OR ALL ! %AD[-PAT*ES 9 A CLUMP ( NETTLES WAS A BIG FACE %IFT+ 9 ! W9D1 EYES N>R[+ ) POISON4 ,DUSK PLAY$ TRICKS LIKE ?AT ALL OV]1 ,H5RY KNEW1 ?\< SOMETIMES IT W\LD SEEM TO HIM AS IF ! ,BOR\<S WAS BUILT CROOK$ SPECIALLY SO'S IT C\LD H>BOR ALL ! GLOOM & HAUNTS UP 9 ITS CORN]S3 NE/S :]E POOR & RAGG$ <O/S WAS BR$4 ,HIS ROPE TIRES JUDD]$ ON ! /ONES AS HE SQUEAK$ ?R\< ! EV5+ LANES1 :]E !RE WAS UGLY FAIRIES SQUIRM+ 9 ! WAT] BUTTS & <\LS CR\*$ 9 ! GUTT]+ = ALL :AT ,H5RY KNEW4 ,! B5T-BACK$ %OPS & H\SES LEAN$ ALL R\ND HIM1 PALE AGA9/ ! DUSK LIKE !Y WAS SPIKES ( LIME/ONE GR[$ UP 9 A CAVE4 ,SWEET 9 ! MORN+S1 LAZY 9 ! AFT]NOONS1 COME D>K ?IS WAS ANO!R PLACE 5TIRE4 

,IT WASN'T ON ACC\NT ( ?IS WAS SOME:]E Y\ MI<T GET ATTACK$ & ROBB$1 LIKE ,H5RY KNEW WAS ! OP9ION ( ! ,BOR\<S HELD BY FOLKS 9 BETT] P>TS ( T[N4 ,TO ,H5RY'S M9D !RE W]5'T NO SAF] PLACE ?AN H]E1 :]E NOBODY ROBB$ NOBODY 'CAUSE EV]YBODY KNEW !Y WAS ! SAME1 )\T A P5NY TO !Y NAMES4 ,AS = ATTACKS & BEAT+S1 !RE W]5'T NO D5Y+ !Y W5T ON1 BUT IT W]5'T NO?+ LIKE IT WAS 9 ,T5NESSEE4 ,= ONE ?+1 :AT Y\ HAD >\ND ! ,BOR\<S WAS A LOT ( PEOPLE :O WAS ALL SO ANGRY ON !Y 9SIDES1 :AT !Y LIK$ TO DO WAS JU/ GET DRUNK & FI<T EA* O!R SO AS !Y C\LD LET IT \T4 ,?AT W]5'T A PLEASANT ?+ TO WAT* & IT WAS H>D TO SIT BY :ILE Y\NG M51 & WOM5 TOO1 !Y JU/ DE/ROY$ !MSELVES LIKE ?AT1 BUT IT W]5'T ,T5NESSEE4 ,IT W]5'T ONE BUN* ( FOLKS GOT ALL ! P[] TAK+ !Y V5GEANCE ON A LOT ( HELPLESS PEOPLE :AT GOT NO?+4 ,?IS WAS POOR FOLKS :O W]5'T GO+ TO HURT NOBODY 'CEPT !Y [N SELVES1 AL?\< ,H5RY [N$ AS !Y C\LD HURT !Y [N SELVES SOME?+ AWFUL4 

,NO1 IT WASN'T LIKE ! ,BOR\<S WAS ALL FULL ( CUT-?ROATS4 ,IT W]5'T ?AT :AT MADE IT K9D ( FRI<T5+ AFT] NI<TFALL1 IT W]5'T NO?+ NE> AS REASONABLE AS ?AT4 ,UNE>?LY1 ?AT WAS :AT IT WAS AFT] ! DAYLI<T W5T1 ! DAYLI<T :AT WAS HOLD+ BACK ANO!R WORLD :]E ANY?+ MI<T JU/ AB\T BE POSSIBLE4 ,*ILDR51 ( C\RSE1 !Y LOV$ IT & Y\'D ALWAYS HAVE BIG SQUEAL+ GANGS ( 'EM RUN UP & D[N ! DIM /REETS 9 ! GASLI<T DO+ HIDE & SEEK OR SOME SU*4 ,H5RY DIDN'T D\BT ! LITTLE BOYS & GIRLS KNEW ?AT ?IS PLACE WAS HAUNT$1 JU/ LIKE ALL ! GR[$-UPS DID4 ,! ?+ WAS1 *ILDR5 WAS ALL AT A TIME ( LIFE :5 <O/S WAS JU/ AB\T AS NATURAL AS WAS ANY?+ 9 !Y EXP]I5CE4 ,<O/S WAS JU/ P>T ( ! EXCITEM5T1 TO A *ILD4 ,:5 Y\ WAS OLD] ?\<1 WAS NE>] TO ! GRAVE Y\RSELF & Y\'D HAD TIME TO ?9K ON LIFE & DEA? A LITTLE1 WELL1 !N <O/S & :AT !Y SIGNIFI$1 ?AT WAS ALL DIFF]5T SOMEH[4 ,?AT1 TO ,H5RY'S M9D1 WAS :Y NO ONE W5T \T MU* 9 ! ,BOR\<S AFT] IT GOT D>K1 'CEPT !Y WAS DR9K+ M5 OR LITTLE KIDS1 OR ELSE POLICE4 ,! OLD] PEOPLE GOT1 !N ! MORE PHANTOMS :AT !RE WAS >\ND1 ! %ADES ( PLACES & ( PEOPLE :AT W]5'T H]E NO MORE4 ,!SE LANES RUN BACK TO ANCI5T TIMES1 AS ,H5RY WAS AW>E1 SO ?AT HE %\LDN'T BE SURPRIS$ IF ALL ! SPOOKS WAS BUILT UP PRETTY ?ICK BY N[1 LIKE SOME V>IETY ( S$IM5T4 

,HE CYCL$ UP ,SA9T ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 :]E ! ,GREAT ,FIRE BROKE \T A C\PLE HUNDR$ YE> AGO1 PA/ ,PIKE ,/REET ON TO ,DODDRIDGE ,/REET1 :]E HE DISM\NT$ HIS CONTRAPTION SO IT C\LD BE PU%$ ACROSS ! LUMPY BURIAL GR\ND :AT RUN D[NHILL FROM ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*4 ,HE MANH&L$ HIS BICYCLE OV] ! WE$Y M\NDS & WET BLACK HOLL[S ( ! WA/EL&1 WOND]+ NOT = ! FIR/ TIME :Y IT WAS !Y CALL$ ?IS /RET* A BURIAL GR\ND1 & NOT A GRAVEY>D OR A CEMET]Y4 ,HE C\LD SEE H[ POSSIBLY IT WAS BECAUSE !RE W]5'T NO HEAD/ONES OR NO M>K]S1 AL?\< :Y ?AT %\LD ITSELF BE SO :5 F> AS HE KNEW IT WAS HUMAN PEOPLE :AT WAS BURI$ H]E1 ?AT WAS :AT PUZZL$ HIM4 ,BE/ HE C\LD FIGURE IT1 IT WAS TO DO ) ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE :O HAD BE5 ! M9I/] ON ,CA/LE ,HILL1 & WAS :AT PEOPLE CALL$ A ,NONCON=MI/4 ,H5RY HAD HE>D TELL ( ,NONCON=MI/ GRAVEY>DS WAS ELSE:]E 9 ,5GL&1 :]E !Y ALSO PUT !Y MASS GRAVES = ! POOR FOLK1 !M AS WAS UNABLE TO AF=D A PROP] BURY+ OR TOMB/ONE4 ,C\LD BE ?AT WAS JU/ :AT HAPP5$ H]E4 ,C\LD BE HE :EEL$ HIS P$AL-C>T RI<T N[ ABOVE BONES WAS ALL JUMBL$ UP FROM PEOPLE DIDN'T EV5 GOT !Y NAMES NO MORE4 ,M9DFUL ( <O/S AS HE WAS FEEL+ 9 ! WA/+ LI<T1 HE MUTT]$ SOME APOLOGIES TO ANY SKELETONS HE MI<T BE DISRESPECT+1 SO'S !Y KNEW AS IT W]5'T NO?+ P]SONAL4 

,:5 ,H5RY WAS ACROSS ! R\< GR\ND & 9 ,*ALK ,LANE1 NE> ! H\SES SET BACK FROM ! /REET !Y CALL$ ,LONG ,G>D5S1 HE CLIMB$ BACK UP ON HIS SADDLE & RODE UP ! SLOPE 9 WAY ( ,CA/LE ,T]RACE & ( ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* ITSELF1 ON HIS RI<T H& !RE4 ,PASS+ BY ! *APEL1 NOTIC+ ?AT FUNNY DOOR SET HALFWAY UP ITS OLD /ONE WALL & LEAD+ NO:]E1 HE CONSID]$ :AT HE KNEW ( ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE1 :I* ( C\RSE MADE HIM 9 TURN CONSID] ,MR4 ,NEWTON4 

,MR4 ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE1 N[1 H[ PEOPLE R\ND H]E TOLD IT1 WAS A MAN 9 POOR HEAL? :O WAS WANT+ ?AT ! WORSE-(F FOLKS C\LD FEEL !Y HAD A ,*RI/IAN FAI? :AT WAS !Y [N4 ,:5 HE COME H]E TO ,CA/LE ,HILL & />T$ UP HIS M9I/RY1 IT SEEMS LIKE HE TOOK ON ! ,5GLI% ,*UR* BY SAY+ FOLKS %\LD HAVE A RI<T TO WOR%IP AS !Y PLEAS$1 & NOT JU/ H[ !Y ,BI%OPS & ?AT WANT$ IT4 ,HE'D COME H]E TO ,NOR?AMPTON :5 HE WAS A Y\NG MAN 9 HIS TW5TIES1 ?IS WAS R\ND SEV5TE5 HUNDR$ ?IRTY1 & HE'D /AY$ JU/ OV] TW5TY YE>S BE=E HIS HEAL? TOOK HIM AWAY4 ,HE HADN'T LIV$ LONG AFT] ?AT1 BUT 9 HIS TIME HE'D *ANG$ ! :OLE WAY H[ FOLKS ?\<T AB\T RELIGION 9 ?IS C\NTRY1 MAYBE 9 ! ,*RI/IAN WORLD ALL OV]4 ,ALL ( IT DONE ON ! LITTLE RAIS$-UP M\ND ( DIRT :AT ,H5RY WAS N[ RID+ PA/4 ,DODDRIDGE HAD WRIT HYMNS1 TOO1 JU/ NOT SO FAM\S AS 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE01 & 9 ! ONE OLD DRAW+ ( ! MAN :AT ,H5RY HAD ONCE SE$ HIS EYES WAS CLE> & BRI<T & HONE/ AS A *ILD4 ,!RE W]5'T NO %AME1 !RE W]5'T NO GUILT4 ,!RE W]5'T NO ANY?+ LIKE ?AT1 SAVE = A K9DL9ESS & GREAT DET]M9ATION4 

,H5RY C\LD IMAG9E ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE \T H]E /ROLL+ ( AN EV5+1 TAK+ 9 ! SAME AIR1 LOOK+ UP AT ! SAME E>LY />S1 MO/ PROBABLY WOND]+ JU/ ! SAME :AT ?AT FOOL DOOR WAS DO+ HALFWAY UP ! WALL4 ,HE'D PROBABLY FELT1 LIKE ALL M5 DO1 AS HE'D BE5 LIV+ = A LONG TIME1 & LIKE ALL M5 HE MO/ LIKELY F\ND IT H>D IMAG9+ ?+S ANY O!R WAY ?AN H[ !Y WAS1 ) HIM ALIVE SO AS HE C\LD APPRECIATE IT ALL4 ,YET H]E WE WAS1 ) ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE DEAD MORE'N A HUNDR$-FIFTY YE>S1 & ) ! *UR* :AT !Y NAM$ AFT] HIM /ILL /OOD H]E1 & /ILL DO+ GOOD = ALL ! POOR FOLKS :AT !RE WAS4 ,JOHN ,NEWTON NEV] GOT NO *UR* COMMEMORAT+ :AT HE DONE1 & ,WILLIAM ,CODY ONLY GOT HIS PLAQUE UP BY ! *IMNEYPOTS4 ,H5RY CONSID]$ ?IS1 & ?\<T IT MI<T BE ?AT ?+S WORK$ \T FAIRLY AFT] ALL4 ,IT WAS MO/ PROBABLY BETT] TO ASSUME AS ! ,ALMI<TY KNEW :AT ,HE WAS DO+ 9 SU* MATT]S1 ?AT WAS ,H5RY'S G5]AL CONCLUSION4 

,HE PROPELL$ HIMSELF UP ,CA/LE ,T]RACE1 OV] :]E WAS ,CA/LE ,/REET & ,FITZROY ,/REET & ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET KNOTT$ UP TOGE!R1 ROLL+ /RAI<T ACROSS & ON D[N ,BRI/OL ,/REET1 :AT WAS HIS MO/ DIRECT R\TE HOME4 ,AHEAD & ON ! LEFT ( HIM HE SAW :AT WAS A WOMAN 9 A LONG SKIRT1 WALK+ ON H] [N AS ,H5RY ?\<T UNTIL HE SEE ! BABY %E WAS C>RY+4 ,9 ! GASLI<T1 ALL ! CURLS >\ND ! *ILD'S HEAD WAS JU/ %9+ LIKE A GOLDM9E GOT BL[$ UP1 SO ?AT HE KN[$ IT WAS ,MAY ,W>R5 & H] MAMA1 :O WAS CALL$ ,MAY ,W>R5 ALSO4 ,HE PUT D[N ONE FOOT TO DRAG HIS BLOCK ACROSS ! COBBLES1 SL[+ D[N AS HE DRAW$ UP 'LONGSIDE ( 'EM4 

0,:Y1 ,MRS4 ,MAY & ,MISSY ,MAY6 ,Y\ LADIES BE5 (F GALLIVANT+ ALL >\ND ! T[N1 ,I BET1 Y\ ONLY JU/ N[ COM+ HOME60 

,! ELD] ,MAY /OPP$ & TURN$ R\ND1 SURPRIS$1 !N LAU<$ :5 %E SE5 IT WAS ,H5RY4 ,WAS A DEEP LAU<1 RUMBL+ D[N !RE 9 :AT ,H5RY W\LD ADMIT WAS SURE SOME BIG OLD *E/ ?AT GIRL HAD GOT4 

0,BLACK ,*>LEY6 ,BLUMM9' 'ECK1 Y\ MADE ME JUMP1 Y\ SILLY BUGG]4 ,!Y %\LD 'AVE A LAW MADE Y\ LOT C>RY SP>KL]S AFT] IT GOT D>K4 ,LOOK1 ,MAY4 ,LOOK :O IT IS1 COME FRI<T5+ Y\R ,MAM4 ,IT'S ,UNCLE ,*>LEY40 

,H]E ! LITTLE GIRL1 :O WAS )\T A D\BT A *ILD MORE BEAUTIFUL ?AN ANY :ITE *ILD ,H5RY EV] SAW1 LOOK$ UP T[>DS HIM & SAID 0,*>0 A C\PLE TIMES4 ,HE GR9N$ D[N AT ! BABY'S MO!R4 

0,IT'S AN ANGEL :AT Y\ GOT !RE1 ,MAY4 ,AN ANGEL :AT'S FELL D[N FROM ,HEAV540 

,Y\NG ,MAY ,W>R5 %OOK H] HEAD1 DISMISSIVE LIKE1 AS IF %E'D HE>D ! COMPLIM5T ?AT MANY TIMES IT HAD BEGUN TO TR\BLE H]4 

0,DON'T SAY ?AT4 ,EV]YBODY ALWAYS SAYS ?AT40 

,!Y W5T ON TO TALK A :ILE1 !N ,H5RY TOLD ,MAY AS %E'D BE/ GET H] SMALL DAU<T] HOME & 9 ! W>M4 ,!Y ALL SAID !Y GOODBYES1 !N ! TWO ,MAYS W5T (F D[N ,=T ,/REET1 :]E !Y LIV$ NEXT DOOR TO BIG ,MAY'S FA!R1 :O WAS ,SN[Y ,V]NALL4 ,/ORY WAS1 AS ,H5RY HAD BE5 TOLD IT1 H[ ,MAY'S GR&-PAPPY :OSE NAME WAS ,]NE/ HAD HIS HAIR TURN :ITE FROM %OCK ONE TIME1 & ?AT HAD BE5 5\< TO DO ! SAME ?+ = HIS Y\NG SON4 ,SN[Y'S HAIR WAS :IT] ?AN :AT ,H5RY'S WAS1 & !RE W]E !M SAID HE WAS T\*$ BESIDES1 ?\< ,H5RY ONLY KN[$ HIM AS MAN LIK$ DR9K+ & :O'D GOT SOME TAL5T 9 HIS H&S = MAK+ DRAW+S & ! LIKE4 ,! MAMA & ! BABY1 !Y W5T (F D[N ,=T ,/REET1 :]E !RE W]5'T NO PROP] ROAD BUT ONLY PAV+1 & :]E IT WAS G5]ALLY HELD !RE'D BE5 A =T 9 ANCI5T TIMES4 ,! /REET HAD GOT A K9D ( DUNGEON LOOK1 AT LEA/ TO ,H5RY'S EYE4 ,IT ALWAYS SEEM$ LIKE A DEAD 5D1 NO MATT] ?AT Y\ WAS AW>E IT HAD AN ALLEY RUNN+ D[N ! BACK4 

,H5RY CONT9U$ ON :]E ,MR4 ,BE]Y1 :O WAS :AT !Y CALL$ ! LI<T]-MAN D[N 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 HE WAS JU/ !N REA*+ UP ON HIS LONG POLE TO LI<T ! GAS-LAMPS :AT !Y HAD 9 ,BRI/OL ,/REET4 ,HE CALL$ TO ,H5RY1 *E]Y LIKE1 & ,H5RY HE CALL$ BACK4 ,HE HOP$ ! *ILDR5 R\ND !RE W\LDN'T %9 RI<T UP ?AT PO/ & BL[ ! FLAME \T SOON AS ,MR4 ,BE]Y WAS GONE BY1 AL?\< !RE WAS MO/ DEF9ITELY A *ANCE AS ?AT MI<T HAPP54 ,H5RY P$AL$ PA/ & ON D[N ,BRI/OL ,/REET :]E IT RUN 9TO ,BA? ,/REET4 ,HE W5T LEFT >\ND ! B5D ?AT TOOK HIM PA/ ,BA? ,R[ & ONTO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 :]E HE LIV$4 ,! D>K WAS PRETTY ?ICK H]E1 ON ACC\NT ( ,MR4 ,BE]Y HADN'T WORK$ HIS WAY D[N ?IS F> YET4 ,IT WAS LIKE ALL ! NI<T WAS TRICKL$ D[N ! HILL TO MAKE A BIG BLACK PUDDLE AT ! BOTTOM4 ,LAMPS :AT Y\ C\LD SEE WAS %9+ ?R\< ! PULL$-TO CURTA9S1 C\LD BE !Y WAS ALL GL[-9-!-D>K BULBS HANG+ (F ! HEADS ( !M GREAT UGLY FI% :AT PEOPLE SE51 BRUNG UP BY DEEP SEA TRAWL+ BOATS & SIMIL>4 

,H5RY HAD COME \T FROM ,BA? ,/REET ONTO ,SC>LETWELL JU/ OPPOSITE ! ALLEYWAY :AT FOLKS H]E CALL$ A JITTY1 AS RUN D[N BEH9D ,SC>LETWELL ,T]RACE !RE4 ,! BIG ,SA9T ,&REW'S ,ROAD WAS ON HIS LEFT SIDE A %ORT DI/ANCE1 BUT HE GOT D[N (F HIS BIKE & :EEL$ IT UP ! HILL ! O!R WAY4 ,! H\SE HE LIV$ 9 ) ,SEL9A & !Y *ILDR5 WAS A LITTLE WAY UP1 OPPOSITE ! PUBLIC H\SE WAS CALL$ ! ,FRI5DLY ,>MS !Y HAD ACROSS ! WAY4 ,HE RECOLLECT$ H[ :5 HIM & HIS ,SEL9A WAS FIR/ COME FROM ,WALES1 AFT] COLLECT+ ,H5RY'S PAY UP AT ! ,WEL% ,H\SE 9 ! M>KET1 H[ !Y'D COME D[N H]E & TOOK A LOOK >\ND4 ,!Y WASN'T SURE H[ FOLKS R\ND H]E W\LD TAKE TO HAV+ A BLACK FELL] M>RI$ TO A :ITE GIRL1 NOT IF !Y WAS LIV+ H]EAB\TS4 ,C\LD BE AS !RE W]5'T NO PLACE W\LD ACCEPT TWO DIFF]5T COLORS1 SIDE BY SIDE4 ,?AT WAS :5 !Y'D FIR/ COME ON ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET & ! ,FRI5DLY ,>MS1 :]E !Y'D BE5 GIVE A SIGN4 ,TI$ UP \TSIDE ! PUB & DR9K+ BE] FROM \T A GLASS WAS :AT !Y'D LAT] LE>N$ WAS ,NEWT ,PRATT'S ANIMAL4 ,! SI<T HAD SO AMAZ$ !M BO?1 UNLIKELY AS IT WAS1 ?AT !Y'D DET]M9$ !RE & !N AS ?IS WAS SOMEPLACE !Y C\LD SET UP HOME4 ,NO MATT] H[ UNUSUAL !Y WAS1 TWO RACES W$ TO LIVE AS MAN & WIFE1 NOBODY D[N 9 ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET W\LD LOOK TWICE AT 'EM1 NOT ) ,NEWT ,PRATT'S A/\ND+ CREATURE ROP$ UP GETT+ DRUNK ACROSS ! /REET LIKE ?AT4 

,HE SMIL$ TO ?9K ( IT1 PU%+ HIS BICYCLE & C>T ON UP ! SLOPE1 HIS WOOD BLOCKS SLIPP$ (F FROM HIS FEET & 9 HIS JACKET POCKETS1 :]E !Y ALWAYS WAS :5 HE W]5'T WE>+ 'EM4 ,HE REA*$ :AT WAS A LITTLE ALLEY RUN (F ON HIS RI<T !RE1 :AT W\LD TAKE HIM R\ND DIRECTLY TO HIS [N BACK Y>D4 ,HE ?UMB$ ! IRON LAT* ON HIS GATE1 !N MADE AN AWFUL RACKET GETT+ HIS CONTRAPTION 9 ! Y>D1 ! WAY HE ALWAYS DID4 ,SEL9A COME \T ON ! /EP1 ) !Y FIR/ DAU<T]1 ,M>Y1 :O'D GOT :ITE SK91 HANG+ R\ND H] SKIRTS4 ,HIS WIFE W]5'T TALL1 & %E'D GOT ALL H] HAIR BRU%$ D[N SO ?AT IT REA*$ NE> TO H] KNEES AS %E /OOD !RE ON !Y BACK DOOR/EP1 SMIL+ AT HIM ) ! GASLI<T W>M BEH9D H]4 

0,HELLO1 ,H5RY1 LOVE4 ,COME ON 9SIDE1 & Y\ CAN TELL US ALL H[ Y\'VE GOT ON40 

,HE KISS$ H] *EEK1 !N FI%$ ALL ( ! /UFF :AT FOLKS HAD GIVE HIM FROM 9SIDE HIS C>T1 :I* W\LD BE SAFE \T 9 ! Y>D !RE4 

0,HECK1 ,I BE5 ALL OV]4 ,GOT ME SOME OLD CLO?+ & SOME PICTURE FRAMES4 ,I RECKON IF Y\ GOT SOME WAT] BOIL$ UP ,I C\LD USE A WA%1 ?\<1 '=E WE HAS \R SUPP]4 ,BE5 A TIR+ DAY1 ALL K9DS ( WAYS40 

,SEL9A COCK$ H] HEAD ON ONE SIDE1 /UDY+ HIM :ILE HE W5T BY H]1 TAK+ ALL ! ?+S :AT HE'D COLLECT$ 9 ! H\SE4 

0,Y\'VE BE5 ALL RI<T1 ?\<1 HAVE Y\8 ,NOT HAD ANY TR\BLE1 LIKE80 

,HE %OOK HIS HEAD & GIVE H] A BIG REASSUR+ GR94 ,HE DIDN'T WANT TO TALK JU/ YET ) H] AB\T :AT HE'D F\ND \T 9 ,OLNEY1 ) REG>D TO ,PA/OR ,NEWTON & 0,AMAZ+ ,GRACE04 ,HE W]5'T SURE 9 HIS [N M9D JU/ :AT HIS OP9IONS ON ! MATT] WAS1 & FIGUR$ AS HE'D TELL ,SEL9A LAT]1 :5 HE'D HAD A *ANCE TO ?9K ON IT SOME MORE4 ,HE TOOK ! PICTURE FRAMES & ?AT ?R\< TO !Y FRONT ROOM :AT LOOK$ \T ON ,SC>LETWELL1 & PUT !M ) ! O!R ITEMS :AT HE'D GOT !RE1 !N W5T BACK 9TO ! LIV+ ROOM :]E ,M>Y & ,SEL9A WAS4 ,!Y BABY BOY1 :AT WAS CALL$ ,H5RY AFT] HIM & WAS BLACK LIKE HIS DADDY WAS1 HE WAS ASLEEP UP/AIRS & 9 HIS CRIB BY N[1 ?\< ,H5RY W\LD LOOK 9 ON HIM A=E !Y W5T TO B$4 ,HE LEFT ,SEL9A BREW+ UP A POT ( TEA !RE ON !Y D9+ TABLE & W5T BACK ?R\< TO !Y LITTLE KIT*5 SO AS HE C\LD HAVE HIMSELF A WA%4 

,!RE WAS /ILL WAT] 9 ! COPP] BOIL] :AT WAS W>MI%1 & HE RUN HIMSELF SOME 9 A :ITE 5AMEL B[L :AT HE SET D[N 9TO !Y DEEP /ONE S9K4 ,! S9K WAS /OOD BEL[ !Y KIT*5 W9D[1 LOOK+ \T ON ! BACK Y>D :]E EV]Y?+ WAS BLACK N[ SO'S Y\ C\LDN'T SEE4 ,HE TOOK HIS JACKET (F & DRAP$ IT ON ! LAUNDRY BASKET :AT WAS BY ! DOOR1 & !N COMM5C$ UNBUTTON+ HIS %IRT4 

,IT WAS /ILL ,PA/OR ,NEWTON HE WAS ?9K+ (4 ,! MAN HAD DONE TREM5D\S GOOD1 TO ,H5RY'S M9D1 & HAD COMMITT$ LIKEWISE A TREM5D\S S94 ,H5RY W]5'T SURE AS HE WAS BIG 5\< TO JUDGE A MAN :OSE VICES & :OSE VIRTUES WAS ( SU* A SIZE4 ,BUT !N1 :O WAS IT W\LD CALL M5 LIKE ?AT TO !Y ACC\NT1 IF IT W]5'T ,H5RY & HIS K9 & ALL !M O!RS :AT WAS TREAT$ SO UNFAIRLY8 ,ALL ! M5 :AT WAS IMPORTANT1 ) !Y HYMNS & /ATUES & !Y *UR*ES LIV+ AFT] !M & TELL+ FOLKS = YE>S TO COME H[ GOOD !Y WAS4 ,IT SEEM$ TO ,H5RY AS !SE MONUM5TS WAS ALL LIKE ,COLONEL ,CODY'S RO(TOP PLAQUE :AT HE'D SE5 E>LY 9 ! DAY4 ,JU/ 'CAUSE A FELL] WAS REMEMB]$ WELL1 ?AT DIDN'T MEAN AS HE'D DONE SOME?+ TO DES]VE IT4 ,H5RY WOND]$ :]E ! JU/ICE WAS 9 ALL ( ?IS4 ,HE WOND]$ :O DECID$ 9 ! 5D :AT WAS ! M>K ( A GREAT MAN1 & H[ !Y KNEW AS IT W]5'T JU/ ! M>K ( ,CA98 ,HIS %IRT & VE/ WAS (F BY N[1 HUNG ) HIS JACKET ON ! BASKET D[N BESIDE ! KIT*5 DOOR4 ,\T 9 ! BLACK NI<T1 ?R\< ! /EAM ROSE UP FROM HIS 5AMEL B[L & PA/ ! W9D[ PANES1 HE SE5 HIS [N REFLECTION /&+ 9 ! D>K ( !Y BACK Y>D1 /RIPP$ TO ITS WAI/ & LOOK+ 9 AT HIM4 

,HIS [N M>K WAS JU/ !RE ON HIS LEFT %\LD]1 :]E !Y'D BR&$ HIM :5 HE WAS SEV54 ,BO? HIS MAMA & HIS POPPA HAD ONE JU/ ! SAME4 ,HE'D GOT NO PROP] MEMORY ( ! NI<T ! IRON WAS PUT ON HIM1 & EV5 AFT] ALL !SE YE>S HE'D /ILL GOT NO IDEA ! REASON :Y !Y DONE IT4 ,W]5'T LIKE !RE WAS NIGG]-RU/L+ GO+ ON1 AS HE C\LD RECOLLECT4 

,IT WAS A FUNNY ?+1 ! M>K1 NO BETT] ?AN A DRAW+ :AT SOME LITTLE *ILD HAD DONE4 ,!RE WAS TWO HILLS1 LOOK$ LIKE !Y GOT A BRIDGE BETWE5 'EM1 ELSE LIKE !Y WAS PANS HUNG ON A SCALE = WEI<+ GOLD4 ,D[N UND] ?IS Y\'D GOT A SCROLL1 OR C\LD BE ?AT IT WAS A W9D+ ROAD4 ,! L9ES WAS PALE & VIOLET1 SMOO? LIKE WAX !RE ON ! PURPLE FLE% ( ,H5RY'S >M4 ,HE LIFT$ UP HIS O!R H& & RUN HIS F+]S OV] ! DESIGN4 ,HE WAIT$ = ! WISDOM & ! UND]/&+ :AT W\LD ANSW] ALL ! QUE/IONS 9 HIS HE>T1 AB\T ,JOHN ,NEWTON1 AB\T EV]Y?+4 ,HE WAIT$ = ! GRACE SO HE C\LD PUT ASIDE ALL HIS H>D FEEL+S1 ?\< HE [N$ AS IT W\LD TRULY HAVE TO BE AMAZ+4 

,\TSIDE 9 ! ROYAL BLUE HEAV5 OV] ,DODDRIDGE ,*APEL1 />S WAS COM+ \T & NI<T BIRDS SANG4 ,HIS WIFE & *ILD WAS 9 ! NEXT ROOM1 P\R+ \T HIS TEA4 ,HE CUPP$ W>M WAT] ) A LITTLE SOAP !RE 9 HIS PALMS1 DA%+ IT UP 9TO HIS FACE & EYES SO EV]Y?+ WAS WA%$ AWAY 9TO ! GRAY1 =GIV+ BLUR4 

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,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #f -- ,ADD$4 

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