How much cheaper and better it would be if those people could only come

here and drink of our civilization at its fountain head."

I perfectly agree with you, Mr. Beverly. Must you go? Well, good

morning. Look in, when you are passing; and whenever I can give you any

information about our affairs and pro'spects, I shall be glad to do it."

Harry's letter was not a long one, but it contained at least the

calamitous figures that came out in the above conversation. The Colonel

found himself in a rather uncomfortable place--no $1,200 salary

forthcoming; and himself held responsible for half of the $9,640 due the

workmen, to say nothing of being in debt to the company to the extent of

nearly $4,000. Polly's heart was nearly broken; the "blues" returned in

fearful force, and she had to go out of the room to hide the tears that

nothing could keep back now.

There was mourning in another quarter, too, for Louise had a letter.

Washington had refused, at the last moment, to take $40,000 for the

Tennessee Land, and had demanded $150,000! So the trade fell through,

and now Washington was wailing because he had been so foolish. But he

wrote that his man might probably return to the city soon, and then he

meant to sell to him, sure, even if he had to take $10,000. Louise had a

good cry-several of them, indeed--and the family charitably forebore to

make any comments that would increase her grief.

Spring blossomed, summer came, dragged its hot weeks by, and the

300

The Gilded Age