the story of a bad boy(顽童故事)-第4节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
that rather interfered with the decorative art。
I didn't have another opportunity of conferring alone with Sailor Ben；
for the next morning； bright and early； we came in sight of the cupola of
the Boston State House。
13
… Page 14…
The Story of a Bad Boy
CHAPTER Four
Rivermouth
It was a beautiful May morning when the Typhoon hauled up at Long
Wharf。 Whether the Indians were not early risers； or whether they were
away just then on a war…path； I couldn't determine； but they did not appear
in any great force…in fact； did not appear at all。
In the remarkable geography which I never hurt myself with studying
at New Orleans； was a picture representing the landing of the Pilgrim
Fathers at Plymouth。 The Pilgrim Fathers； in rather odd hats and coats； are
seen approaching the savages； the savages； in no coats or hats to speak of；
are evidently undecided whether to shake hands with the Pilgrim Fathers
or to make one grand rush and scalp the entire party。 Now this scene had
so stamped itself on my mind； that； in spite of all my father had said； I was
prepared for some such greeting from the aborigines。 Nevertheless； I was
not sorry to have my expectations unfulfilled。 By the way； speaking of the
Pilgrim Fathers； I often used to wonder why there was no mention made of
the Pilgrim Mothers。
While our trunks were being hoisted from the hold of the ship； I
mounted on the roof of the cabin； and took a critical view of Boston。 As
we came up the harbor； I had noticed that the houses were huddled
together on an immense bill； at the top of which was a large building； the
State House； towering proudly above the rest； like an amiable mother…hen
surrounded by her brood of many…colored chickens。 A closer inspection
did not impress me very favorably。 The city was not nearly so imposing as
New Orleans； which stretches out for miles and miles； in the shape of a
crescent； along the banks of the majestic river。
I soon grew tired of looking at the masses of houses； rising above one
another in irregular tiers； and was glad my father did not propose to
remain long in Boston。 As I leaned over the rail in this mood； a measly…
looking little boy with no shoes said that if I would come down on the
wharf he'd lick me for two cents…not an exorbitant price。 But I didn't go
down。 I climbed into the rigging； and stared at him。 This； as I was rejoiced
14
… Page 15…
The Story of a Bad Boy
to observe； so exasperated him that he stood on his head on a pile of
boards； in order to pacify himself。
The first train for Rivermouth left at noon。 After a late breakfast on
board the Typhoon； our trunks were piled upon a baggage…wagon； and
ourselves stowed away in a coach； which must have turned at least one
hundred corners before it set us down at the railway station。
In less time than it takes to tell it； we were shooting across the country
at a fearful rate…now clattering over a bridge； now screaming through a
tunnel； here we cut a flourishing village in two； like a knife； and here we
dived into the shadow of a pine forest。 Sometimes we glided along the
edge of the ocean； and could see the sails of ships twinkling like bits of
silver against the horizon； sometimes we dashed across rocky
pasture4ands where stupid…eyed cattle were loafing。 It was fun to scare
lazy…looking cows that lay round in groups under the newly budded trees
near the railroad track。
We did not pause at any of the little brown stations on the route （they
looked just like overgrown black…walnut clocks）； though at every one of
them a man popped out as if he were worked by machinery； and waved a
red flag； and appeared as though he would like to have us stop。 But we
were an express train； and made no stoppages； excepting once or twice to
give the engine a drink。 It is strange how the memory clings to some
things。 It is over twenty years since I took that first ride to Rivermouth；
and yet； oddly enough； I remember as if it were yesterday； that； as we
passed slowly through the village of Hampton； we saw two boys fighting
behind a red barn。 There was also a shaggy yellow dog； who looked as if
he had commenced to unravel； barking himself all up into a knot with
excitement。 We had only a hurried glimpse of the battle…long enough；
however； to see that the combatants were equally matched and very much
in earnest。 I am ashamed to say how many times since I have speculated as
to which boy got licked。 Maybe both the small rascals are dead now （not
in consequence of the set…to； let us hope）； or maybe they are married； and
have pugnacious urchins of their own； yet to this day I sometimes find
myself wondering how that fight turned out。
We had been riding perhaps two hours and a half； when we shot by a
15
… Page 16…
The Story of a Bad Boy
tall factory with a chimney resembling a church steeple； then the
locomotive gave a scream； the engineer rang his bell； and we plunged into
the twilight of a long wooden building； open at both ends。 Here we
stopped； and the conductor； thrusting his head in at the car door； cried out；
〃Passengers for Rivermouth！〃
At last we had reached our journey's end。 On the platform my father
shook hands with a straight； brisk old gentleman whose face was very
serene and rosy。 He had on a white hat and a long swallow…tailed coat； the
collar of which came clear up above his cars。 He didn't look unlike a
Pilgrim Father。 This； of course； was Grandfather Nutter； at whose house I
was born。 My mother kissed him a great many times； and I was glad to see
him myself； though I naturally did not feel very intimate with a person
whom I had not seen since I was eighteen months old。
While we were getting into the double…seated wagon which
Grandfather Nutter had provided； I took the opportunity of asking after the
health of the pony。 The pony had arrived all right ten days before； and was
in the stable at home； quite anxious to see me。 20
As we drove through the quiet old town； I thought Rivermouth the
prettiest place in the world； and I think so still。 The streets are long and
wide； shaded by gigantic American elms； whose drooping branches；
interlacing here and there； span the avenues with arches graceful enough
to be the handiwork of fairies。 Many of the houses have small flower…
gardens in front； gay in the season with china…asters； and are substantially
built； with massive chimney…stacks and protruding eaves。 A beautiful river
goes rippling by the town； and； after turning and twisting among a lot of
tiny islands； empties itself into the sea。 20
The harbor is so fine that the largest ships can sail directly up to the
wharves and drop anchor。 Only they don't。 Years ago it was a famous
seaport。 Princely fortunes were made in the West India trade； and in 1812；
when we were at war with Great Britain； any number of privateers were
fitted out at Rivermouth to prey upon the merchant vessels of the enemy。
Certain people grew suddenly and mysteriously rich。 A great many of 〃the
first families〃 of today do not care to trace their pedigree back to the time
when their grandsires owned shares in the Matilda Jane； twenty…four guns。
16
… Page 17…
The Story of a Bad Boy
Well； well！
Few ships come to Rivermouth now。 Commerce drifted into other
ports。 The phantom fleet sailed off one day； and never came back again。
The crazy old warehouses are empty； and barnacles and eel…grass cling to
the piles of the crumbling wharves； where the sunshine lies lovingly；
bringing out the faint spicy odor that haunts the place…the ghost of the old
dead West India trade！ During our ride from the station； I was struck；
