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summer left in the street above us often saw her from their back windows； but they did not knowas how should they？who had the charge of this lot； and there was no reason why they should be surprised to see a cornfield there。 We only raised green corn。 I am fond of Indian cake； but I did not care to grind my own corn； and I could buy sweet meal without trouble。 I settled the milk question； after the first winter； by keeping our own goats。 I fenced in； with a wire fence； the northwest corner of our little empire； and put there a milch goat and her two kids。 The kids were pretty little things； and would come and feed from my mother's hand。 We soon weaned them； so that we could milk their mother； and after that our flock grew and multiplied； and we were never again troubled for such little milk as we used。
Some old proprietor； in the old Dutch days； must have had an orchard in these parts。 There were still left two venerable wrecks of ancient pear…trees； and although they bore little fruit； and what they bore was good for nothing； they still gave a compact and grateful shade。 I sodded the ground around them and made a seat beneath； where my mother would sit with her knitting all the afternoon。 Indeed； after the sods grew firm； I planted hoops there； and many a good game of croquet have she and I had together there； playing so late that we longed for the chance they have in Sybaris； where； in the evening； they use balls of colored glass； with fireflies shut up inside。
On the 11th of February； in the year 1867； my old master died； to my great regret； and I truly believe to that of his widow and her children。 His death broke up the establishment； and I； who was always more of a cabinet…maker or joiner than carpenter or builder； opened a little shop of my own； where I took orders for cupboards； drawers； stairs； and other finishing work； and where I employed two or three German journeymen； and was thus much more master of my own time。 In particular； I had two faithful fellows； natives of my own father's town of Bremen。 While they were with me I could leave them a whole afternoon at a time； while I took any little job there might be； and worked at it at my own house at home。 Where my house was； except that it was far uptown； they never asked； nor ever； so far as I know； cared。 This gave me the chance for many a pleasant afternoon with my mother； such as we had dreamed of in the old days when we talked of Kansas。 I would work at the lathe or the bench and she would read to me。 Or we would put off the bench till the evening； and we would both go out into the cornfield together。
And so we lived year after year。 I am afraid that we worshipped each other too much。 We were in the heart of a crowded city； but there was that in our lives which tended a little to habits of loneliness； and I suppose a moralist would say that our dangers lay in that direction。
On the other hand； I am almost ashamed to say that； as I sat in a seat I had made for myself in old Van der Tromp's pear…tree； I would look upon my corn and peas and squashes and tomatoes with a satisfaction which I believe many a nobleman in England does not enjoy。
Till the youngest of the Fordyce heirs was of age； and that would not be till 1880； this was all my own。 I was； by right of possession and my own labors； lord of all this region。 How else did the writers on political economy teach me that any property existed！
I surveyed it with a secret kind of pleasure。 I had not abundance of pears； what I had were poor and few。 But I had abundance of sweet corn； of tomatoes； of peas； and of beans。 The tomatoes were as wholesome as they were plentiful； and as I sat I could see the long shelves of them which my mother had spread in the sun to ripen； that we might have enough of them canned when winter should close in upon us。 I knew I should have potatoes enough of my own raising also to begin the winter with。 I should have been glad of more。 But as by any good day's work I could buy two barrels of potatoes； I did not fret myself that my stock was but small。
Meanwhile my stock in bank grew fast。 Neither my mother nor I had much occasion to buy new clothes。 We were at no charge for house…rent； insurance； or taxes。 I remember that a Spanish gentleman； who was fond of me； for whom I had made a cabinet with secret drawers； paid me in moidores and pieces…of…eight； which in those times of paper were a sight to behold。
I carried home the little bag and told my mother that this was a birthday present for her； indeed； that she was to put it all in her bed that night； that she might say she had rolled in gold and silver。 She played with the pieces； and we used them to count with as we played our game of cribbage。
〃But really； Robin； boy；〃 said she； 〃it is as the dirt under our feet。 I would give it all for three or four pairs of shoes and stockings； such as we used to buy in York； but such as these Lynn…built shoes and steam… knit stockings have driven out of the market。〃
Indeed； we wanted very little in our desert home。
And so for many years we led a happy life； and we found more in life than would have been possible had we been all tangled up with the cords of artificial society。 I say 〃we；〃 for I am sure I did； and I think my dear mother did。
But it was in the seventh year of our residence in the hut that of a sudden I had a terrible shock or fright； and this I must now describe to you。 It comes in about the middle of this history； and it may end this chapter。
It was one Sunday afternoon； when I had taken the fancy； as I often did of Sundays； to inspect my empire。 Of course； in a certain way； I did this every time I climbed old Van der Tromp's pear…tree； and sat in my hawk's…nest there。 But a tour of inspection was a different thing。 I walked close round the path which I had made next the fence of the enclosure。 I went in among my goats；even entered the goat…house and played with my kids。 I tried the boards of the fence and the timber…stays； to be sure they all were sound。 I had paths enough between the rows of corn and potatoes to make a journey of three miles and half a furlong； with two rods more； if I went through the whole of them。 So at half…past four on this fatal afternoon I bade my mother good…by； and kissed her。 I told her I should not be back for two hours； because I was going to inspect my empire； and I set out happily。
But in less than an hourI can see the face of the clock now： it was twenty…two minutes after fiveI flung myself in my chair； panting for breath； and； as my mother said； as pale as if I had seen a ghost。 But I told her it was worse than that。
I had come out from between two high rows of corn； which wholly covered me； upon a little patch which lay warm to the south and west； where I had some melons a…ripening； and was just lifting one of the melons； to be sure that the under surface did not rot； when close behind it I saw the print of a man's foot； which was very plain to be seen in the soft soil。
I stood like one thunderstruck； or as if I had seen an apparition。 I listened； I looked round me。 I could hear nothing but the roar of the omnibuses； nor could I see anything。 I went up and down the pat