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I hung round the place a good deal； and when the man found I really had money and meant something； he took me into all sorts of alleys and hiding…places； where he stored his old things away。 I made fabulous bargains there； for either the old Jew liked me particularly； or I liked things that nobody else wanted。 In the days when his principal customers were wharf…rats； and his principal business the traffic in old cordage and copper； he had hung out as a sign an old tavern…sign of a ship that had come to him。 His place still went by the name of 〃The Ship；〃 though it was really； as I say； a mere wreck； a rambling； third…rate old furniture shop of the old…curiosity kind。
But after I had safely carried the Banner to my new house； and was sure the funnel drew well； and that the escape of smoke and sparks was carefully guarded； many a visit did I make to The Ship at early morning or late in the evening； to bring away one or another treasure which I had discovered there。 Under the pretence of new…varnishing some of my mother's most precious tables and her bureau； I got them away from her also。 I knocked up； with my own hatchet and saw； a sitting…table which I meant to have permanent in the middle of the room； which was much more convenient than anything I could buy or carry。
And so； on the 12th of October； the eve of my mother's birthday； the common…room was all ready for her。 In her own room I had a new carpet and a new set of painted chamber furniture； which I had bought at the maker's； and brought up piece by piece。 It cost me nineteen dollars and a half； for which I paid him in cash； which indeed he wanted sadly。
So； on the morning of the 13th of October； I kissed my mother forty times； because that day she was forty years old。 I told her that before midnight she should know what the great surprise was； and I asked her if she could hold out till then。
She let me poke as much fun at her as I chose； because she said she was so glad to have me at breakfast； and I stayed long after breakfast； for I had told my mother that it was her birthday； and that I should be late。 And such a thing as my asking for an hour or two was so rare that I took it quite of course when I did ask。 I came home early at night； too。 Then I said；
〃Now； sweetheart； the surprise requires that you spend the night away from home with me。 Perhaps； if you like the place； we will spend tomorrow there。 So I will take Poll in her cage； and you must put up your night… things and take them in your hand。〃
She was surprised now； for such a thing as an outing over night had never been spoken of before by either of us。
〃Why； Rob；〃 she said； 〃you are taking too much pains for your old sweetheart； and spending too much money for her birthday。 Now； don't you think that you should really have as good a time； say； if we went visiting together； and then came back here？〃
For； you see； she never thought of herself at all； it was only what I should like most。
〃No； sweetheart dear；〃 said I。 〃It is not for me； this 13th of October； it is all for you。 And to…night's outing is not for me； it is for you； and I think you will like it and I think Poll will like it； and I have leave for to…morrow； and we will stay away all to…morrow。〃
As for Tom…puss； I said； we would leave some milk where he could find it； and I would leave a bone or two for him。 But I whistled Rip； my dog； after me。 I took Poll's cage； my mother took her bag； and locked and left her door； unconscious that she was never to enter it again。
A Ninety…ninth Avenue car took us up to Fernando Street。 It was just the close of twilight when we came there。 I took my mother to Church Alley； muttered something about some friends； which she did not understand more than I did； and led her up the alley in her confused surprise。 Then I pushed aside my movable board； and； while she was still surprised； led her in after me and slid it back again。
〃What is it； dear Rob？ Tell metell me！〃
〃This way； sweetheart； this way！〃 This was all I would say。
I drew her after me through the long passage； led her into the common…room； which was just lighted up by the late evening twilight coming in between the curtains of the great square window。 Then I fairly pushed her to the great； roomy easy…chair which I had brought from The Ship； and placed it where she could look out on the evening glow； and I said；
〃Mother； dear； this is the surprise； this is your new home； and； mother dear； your own boy has made it with his own hands； all for you。〃
〃But； Rob； I do not understandI do not understand at all。 I am so stupid。 I know I am awake。 But it is as sudden as a dream！〃
So I had to begin and to explain it all；how here was a vacant lot that Mark Henry had the care of； and how I had built this house for her upon it。 And long before I had explained it all； it was quite dark。 And I lighted up the pretty student's…lamp； and I made the fire in the new Banner with my own hands。
And that night I would not let her lift a kettle； nor so much as cut a loaf of bread。 It was my feast； I said； and I had everything ready； round to a loaf of birthday… cake； which I had ordered at Taylor's； which I had myself frosted and dressed； and decorated with the initials of my mother's name。
And when the feast was over； I had the best surprise of all。 Unknown to my mother； I had begged from my Aunt Betsy my own father's portrait； and I had hung that opposite the window； and now I drew the curtain that hid it； and told my sweetheart that this and the house were her birthday presents for this year！ 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。
And this was the beginning of a happy life； which lasted nearly twelve years。 I could make a long story of it； for there was an adventure in everything；in the way we bought our milk； and the way we took in our coals。 But there is no room for me to tell all that； and it might not interest other people as it does me。 I am sure my mother was never sorry for the bold step she took when we moved there from our tenement。 True； she saw little or no society； but she had not seen much before。 The conditions of our life were such that she did not like to be seen coming out of Church Alley； lest people should ask how she got in； and excepting in the evening； I did not care to have her go。 In the evening I could go with her。 She did not make many calls； because she could not ask people to return them。 But she would go with me to concerts； and to the church parlor meetings； and sometimes to exhibitions； and at such places； and on Sundays； she would meet； perhaps； one or another of the few friends she had in New York。 But we cared for them less and less； I will own； and we cared more and more for each other。
As soon as the first spring came； I made an immense effort； and spaded over nearly half of the lot。 It was ninety feet wide and over two hundred and sixty longmore than half an acre。 So I knew we could have our own fresh vegetables； even if we never went to market。 My mother was a good gardener； and she was not afraid even to hoe the corn when I was out of the way。 I dare say that the people whom the summer left in the street above us often saw her from their back windows