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twice-told tales- the great stone face-第3章

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idle habit。 They knew not that the Great Stone Face had become a

teacher to him; and that the sentiment which was expressed in it would

enlarge the young man's heart; and fill it with wider and deeper

sympathies than other hearts。 They knew not that thence would come a

better wisdom than could be learned from books; and a better life than

could be moulded on the defaced example of other human lives。

Neither did Ernest know that the thoughts and affections which came to

him so naturally; in the fields and at the fireside; and wherever he

communed with himself; were of a higher tone than those which all

men shared with him。 A simple soul… simple as when his mother first

taught him the old prophecy… he beheld the marvellous features beaming

adown the valley; and still wondered that their human counterpart

was so long in making his appearance。

   By this time poor Mr。 Gathergold was dead and buried; and the

oddest part of the matter was; that his wealth; which was the body and

spirit of his existence; had disappeared before his death; leaving

nothing of him but a living skeleton; covered over with a wrinkled;

yellow skin。 Since the melting away of his gold; it had been very

generally conceded that there was no such striking resemblance;

after all; betwixt the ignoble features of the ruined merchant and

that majestic face upon the mountain…side。 So the people ceased to

honor him during his lifetime; and quietly consigned him to

forgetfulness after his decease。 Once in a while; it is true; his

memory was brought up in connection with the magnificent palace

which he had built; and which had long ago been turned into a hotel

for the accommodation of strangers; multitudes of whom came; every

summer; to visit that famous natural curiosity; the Great Stone

Face。 Thus; Mr。 Gathergold being discredited and thrown into the

shade; the man of prophecy was yet to come。

   It so happened that a native…born son of the valley; many years

before; had enlisted as a soldier; and; after a great deal of hard

fighting; had now become an illustrious commander。 Whatever he may

be called in history; he was known in camps and on the battle…field

under the nickname of Old Blood…and…Thunder。 This war…worn veteran;

being now infirm with age and wounds; and weary of the turmoil of a

military life; and of the roll of the drum and the clangor of the

trumpet; that had so long been ringing in his ears; had lately

signified a purpose of returning to his native valley; hoping to

find repose where he remembered to have left it。 The inhabitants;

his old neighbors and their grown…up children; were resolved to

welcome the renowned warrior with a salute of cannon and a public

dinner; and all the more enthusiastically; it being affirmed that now;

at last; the likeness of the Great Stone Face had actually appeared。

An aid…de…camp of Old Blood…and…Thunder; travelling through the

valley; was said to have been struck with the resemblance。 Moreover;

the schoolmates and early acquaintances of the general were ready to

testify; on oath; that; to the best of their recollection; the

aforesaid general had been exceedingly like the majestic image; even

when a boy; only that the idea had never occurred to them at that

period。 Great; therefore; was the excitement throughout the valley;

and many people; who had never once thought of glancing at the Great

Stone Face for years before; now spent their time in gazing at it; for

the sake of knowing exactly how General Blood…and…Thunder looked。

   On the day of the great festival; Ernest; with all the other people

of the valley; left their work; and proceeded to the spot where the

sylvan banquet was prepared。 As he approached; the loud voice of the

Reverend Doctor Battleblast was heard; beseeching a blessing on the

good things set before them; and on the distinguished friend of

peace in whose honor they were assembled。 The tables were arranged

in a cleared space of the woods; shut in by the surrounding trees;

except where a vista opened eastward; and afforded a distant view of

the Great Stone Face。 Over the general's chair; which was a relic from

the home of Washington; there was an arch of verdant boughs; with

the laurel profusely intermixed; and surmounted by his country's

banner; beneath which he had won his victories。 Our friend Ernest

raised himself on his tip…toes; in hopes to get a glimpse of the

celebrated guest; but there was a mighty crowd about the tables

anxious to hear the toasts and speeches; and to catch any word that

might fall from the general in reply; and a volunteer company; doing

duty as a guard; pricked ruthlessly with their bayonets at any

particularly quiet person among the throng。 So Ernest; being of an

unobtrusive character; was thrust quite into the background; where

he could see no more of Old Blood…and…Thunder's physiognomy than if it

had been still blazing on the battle…field。 To console himself; he

turned towards the Great Stone Face; which; like a faithful and

long…remembered friend; looked back and smiled upon him through the

vista of the forest。 Meantime; however; he could over…hear the remarks

of various individuals; who were comparing the features of the hero

with the face on the distant mountain…side。

   〃 'Tis the same face; to a hair!〃 cried one man; cutting a caper

for joy。

   〃Wonderfully like; that's a fact!〃 responded another。

   〃Like! why; I call it Old Blood…and…Thunder himself; in a monstrous

looking…glass!〃 cried a third。 〃And why not! He's the greatest man

of this or any other age; beyond a doubt。〃

   And then all three of the speakers gave a great shout; which

communicated electricity to the crowd; and called forth a roar from

a thousand voices; that went reverberating for miles among the

mountains; until you might have supposed that the Great Stone Face had

poured its thunder…breath into the cry。 All these comments; and this

vast enthusiasm; served the more to interest our friend; nor did he

think of questioning that now; at length; the mountain…visage had

found its human counterpart。 It is true; Ernest had imagined that this

long…looked…for personage would appear in the character of a man of

peace; uttering wisdom; and doing good; and making people happy。

But; taking an habitual breadth of view; with all his simplicity; he

contended that Providence should choose its own method of blessing

mankind; and could conceive that this great end might be effected even

by a warrior and a bloody sword; should inscrutable wisdom see fit

to order matters so。

   〃The general! the general!〃 was now the cry。 〃Hush! silence! Old

Blood…and…Thunder's going to make a speech。〃

   Even so; for; the cloth being removed; the general's health had

been drunk amid shouts of applause; and he now stood upon his feet

to thank the company。 Ernest saw him。 There he was; over the shoulders

of the crowd; from the two glittering epaulets and embroidered

collar upward; beneath the arch of green boughs with inter…twined

laurell and the banner drooping as if to shade his brow! And there;

too; visible in the same glance; 
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