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quietly； in my own way； by a little bit of sober mystification。
For this reason I swung the beetle； and for this reason I let it
fall from the tree。 An observation of yours about its great weight
suggested the latter idea。〃
〃Yes； I perceive； and now there is only one point which puzzles me。
What are we to make of the skeletons found in the hole？〃
〃That is a question I am no more able to answer than yourself。
There seems； however； only one plausible way of accounting for
themand yet it is dreadful to believe in such atrocity as my
suggestion would imply。 It is clear that Kiddif Kidd indeed
secreted this treasure； which I doubt notit is clear that he must
have had assistance in the labor。 But this labor concluded； he may
have thought it expedient to remove all participants in his secret。
Perhaps a couple of blows with a mattock were sufficient； while his
coadjutors were busy in the pit； perhaps it required a dozenwho
shall tell？〃
Washington Irving
Wolfert Webber； or Golden Dreams
In the year of grace one thousand seven hundred andblankfor I
do not remember the precise date； however； it was somewhere in the
early part of the last century；there lived in the ancient city of
the Manhattoes a worthy burgher； Wolfert Webber by name。 He was
descended from old Cobus Webber of the Brill＇1＇ in Holland； one of
the original settlers； famous for introducing the cultivation of
cabbages； and who came over to the province during the
protectorship of Oloffe Van Kortlandt； otherwise called 〃the
Dreamer。〃
＇1＇ The Brill is a fortified seaport of Holland； on the Meuse
River； near Rotterdam。
The field in which Cobus Webber first planted himself and his
cabbages had remained ever since in the family； who continued in
the same line of husbandry with that praiseworthy perseverance for
which our Dutch burghers are noted。 The whole family genius；
during several generations； was devoted to the study and
development of this one noble vegetable； and to this concentration
of intellect may doubtless be ascribed the prodigious renown to
which the Webber cabbages attained。
The Webber dynasty continued in uninterrupted succession； and never
did a line give more unquestionable proofs of legitimacy。 The
eldest son succeeded to the looks as well as the territory of his
sire； and had the portraits of this line of tranquil potentates
been taken； they would have presented a row of heads marvelously
resembling； in shape and magnitude； the vegetables over which they
reigned。
The seat of government continued unchanged in the family mansion；
a Dutch…built house； with a front； or rather gable end； of yellow
brick； tapering to a point； with the customary iron weathercock at
the top。 Everything about the building bore the air of long…
settled ease and security。 Flights of martins peopled the little
coops nailed against its walls； and swallows built their nests
under the eaves； and everyone knows that these house…loving birds
bring good luck to the dwelling where they take up their abode。 In
a bright summer morning in early summer； it was delectable to hear
their cheerful notes as they sported about in the pure； sweet air；
chirping forth； as it were； the greatness and prosperity of the
Webbers。
Thus quietly and comfortably did this excellent family vegetate
under the shade of a mighty buttonwood tree； which by little and
little grew so great as entirely to overshadow their palace。 The
city gradually spread its suburbs round their domain。 Houses
sprang up to interrupt their prospects。 The rural lanes in the
vicinity began to grow into the bustle and populousness of streets；
in short； with all the habits of rustic life they began to find
themselves the inhabitants of a city。 Still； however； they
maintained their hereditary character and hereditary possessions；
with all the tenacity of petty German princes in the midst of the
empire。 Wolfert was the last of the line； and succeeded to the
patriarchal bench at the door； under the family tree； and swayed
the scepter of his fathers；a kind of rural potentate in the midst
of the metropolis。
To share the cares and sweets of sovereignty he had taken unto
himself a helpmate； one of that excellent kind called 〃stirring
women〃； that is to say； she was one of those notable little
housewives who are always busy where there is nothing to do。 Her
activity； however； took one particular direction；her whole life
seemed devoted to intense knitting； whether at home or abroad；
walking or sitting； her needles were continually in motion； and it
is even affirmed that by her unwearied industry she very nearly
supplied her household with stockings throughout the year。 This
worthy couple were blessed with one daughter who was brought up
with great tenderness and care； uncommon pains had been taken with
her education； so that she could stitch in every variety of way；
make all kinds of pickles and preserves； and mark her own name on a
sampler。 The influence of her taste was seen also in the family
garden； where the ornamental began to mingle with the useful； whole
rows of fiery marigolds and splendid hollyhocks bordered the
cabbage beds； and gigantic sunflowers lolled their broad； jolly
faces over the fences； seeming to ogle most affectionately the
passers…by。
Thus reigned and vegetated Wolfert Webber over his paternal acres；
peacefully and contentedly。 Not but that； like all other
sovereigns； he had his occasional cares and vexations。 The growth
of his native city sometimes caused him annoyance。 His little
territory gradually became hemmed in by streets and houses； which
intercepted air and sunshine。 He was now and then subjected to the
eruptions of the border population that infest the streets of a
metropolis； who would make midnight forays into his dominions； and
carry off captive whole platoons of his noblest subjects。 Vagrant
swine would make a descent； too； now and then； when the gate was
left open； and lay all waste before them； and mischievous urchins
would decapitate the illustrious sunflowers； the glory of the
garden； as they lolled their heads so fondly over the walls。 Still
all these were petty grievances； which might now and then ruffle
the surface of his mind； as a summer breeze will ruffle the surface
of a mill pond； but they could not disturb the deep…seated quiet of
his soul。 He would but seize a trusty staff that stood behind the
door； issue suddenly out； and anoint the back of the aggressor；
whether pig or urchin； and then return within doors； marvelously
refreshed and tranquilized。
The chief cause of anxiety to honest Wolfert； however； was the
growing prosperity of the city。 The expenses of living doubled and
trebled； but he could not double and treble the magnitude of his
cabbages； and the number of competitors prevented the increase of
price； thus； therefore； while everyone around him grew richer；
Wolfert gr