Chapter II: Preface: To the Third Edition

Many years have passed since Puddleford was first published. In the meanwhile the world has turned round and round, and so has Puddleford. The book, too, has been growing in size, from time to time, and some new "matter" has been now introduced.

The object of the book was not merely humor. It was hoped by the author that the reader would discover an undercurrent, showing strong points of human nature in the rough, and how at last the rugged rock becomes rounded and polished into the smooth stone--the iron cleaver turned into the tempered sword. How stern, honest men, who are driven to grapple and struggle with the hardships of a new country, meet and dispose of them in an irregular and home-made way, by striking at the root of the question, disregarding mere form. How the foundation of law, religion, and order is laid in strength, if not in beauty. How other generations build thereon the temple with its pillars and spire.

I cannot attempt to describe the Puddleford of to-day. Ike Turtle is old and gray, but his children hold high positions in society and state. Some of them have Ike's thorny, sharp genius, but toned down by education and cultivation into method and power. Squire Longbow totters around on his staff, tries over his old cases with anybody who will listen to him, repeats his decisions of fifteen years ago, quotes Ike's jokes, and sums up all the testimony for the fortieth time to his weary listeners. Aunt Sonora has gone to her reward. Other courts are held in Puddleford now. Technicalities are observed. Law is law. How much more justice is administered, it is not for me to say.

The book is once more before the public. The public have received it in the past quite as well as it deserved, perhaps. Its future is now committed to the public again.

H. H. R.

SEPTEMBER 8, 1874.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE

Puddleford.--Eagle Tavern.--Mr. and Mrs. Bulliphant.--May
Morning.--Birds.--Venison Styles.--General Character of
Society.--The Colonel.--Venison Styles's Cabin. 17

CHAPTER II.

Lawsuit: Filkins against Beadle.--Squire Longbow and his
Court.--Puddleford assembled.--Why Squire Longbow was a
Great Man.--Ike Turtle and Sile Bates, Pettifoggers.--Mrs.
Sonora Brown.--Uproar and Legal Opinions.--Seth
Bolles.--Miss Eunice Grimes.--Argument to Jury, and Verdict. 34

CHAPTER III.

Wanderings in the Wilderness.--A Bee-Hunt.--Sunrise.--The
Fox-Squirrel.--The Blue-Jay.--The Gopher.--The
Partridges.--Wild Geese, Ducks, and Cranes.--Blackbirds and
Meadow-Larks.--Venison's Account of the Bees' Domestic
Economy.--How Venison found what he was in Search of.--Honey
secured.--After-Reflections. 54

CHAPTER IV.

The Log-Chapel.--Father Beals.--Aunt Graves.--Sister
Abigail.--Bigelow Van Slyck, the Preacher.--His
Entree.--How he worked.--One of his Sermons.--Performance
of the Choir.--"Coronation" achieved.--Getting into
Position.--Personal Appeals.--Effect on the
Congregation.--Sabbath in the Wilderness.--Is Bigelow the
only Ridiculous Preacher? 66

CHAPTER V.

Indian Summer.--Venison Styles again.--Jim Buzzard.--Fishing
Excursion.--Muskrat City.--Indian Burying-Ground.--The
Pickerel and the Rest of the Fishes.--The Prairie.--Wild
Geese.--The Old Mound.--Venison's Regrets at the
degenerating Times.--His Luck, and Mine.--Reminiscences of
the Beavers.--Camping out.--Safe Return. 81

CHAPTER VI.

Educational Efforts.--Squire Longbow's "Notis."--"The
Saterday Nite."--Ike and the Squire.--Various Remarks to the
Point.--Mrs. Fizzle and the Temperance Question.--Collection
taken.--General Result. 96

CHAPTER VII.

Social War.--Longbow, Turtle & Co.--Bird, Swipes, Beagle &
Co.--Mrs. Bird.--Mrs. Beagle.--Mrs. Swipes.--Turkey and
Aristocracy.--Scandal.--Husking-Bees, and "such like."--The
Calathumpian Band.--The Horse-Fiddle.--The Giant
Trombone.--The Gyastacutas.--Tuning up.--Unparalleled
Effort.--Puddleford still a Representative Place. 105

CHAPTER VIII.

Puddleford and Politics.--Higgins against Wiggins.--The
Candidates' Personale.--Their Platforms.--Delicate
Questions.--Stump Speaking.--Wiggins on
Higgins.--Impertinent Interruptions.--Higgins on
Wiggins.--Ike Turtle not dead yet.--Commotion.--Squire
Longbow restores Order.--Grand Stroke of Policy.--The Roast
Ox at Gillett's Corners. 115

CHAPTER IX.

Winter upon us.--The Roosters in the early Morning.--The
Blue-Jays and the Squirrels.--The Improvident Turkey.--The
Domestic Hearth, and who occupied it.--The Old Dog.--The
Blessed Old Mail-Horse.--The Newspapers.--Our
Come-to-Tea.--Mrs. Brown, her Arrival and
Experiences.--Entree of Bird, Beagles & Co.--Conflicting
Elements, and how Ike Turtle assimilated all.--Gratifying
Consequences. 128

CHAPTER X.

Mrs. Longbow taken sick.--General Interest.--Dr.
Teazle.--His Visit.--"The Rattles."--Scientific
Diagnosis.--A Prescription.--Short and Dr. Dobbs.--"Pantod
of the Heart."--Dismissal of Teazle.--Installation of
Dobbs.--"Scyller and Chara_bi_des."--Ike's Views.--The
Colonel's.--Bates's.--Mrs. Longbow dies.--Who killed her:
conflicting Opinions.--Her Funeral.--Bigelow Van Slyck's
Sermon.--Interment. 148

CHAPTER XI.

Squire Longbow in Mourning.--The Great Question.--Aunt
Sonora's Opinion.--Other People's.--The Squire goes to
Church.--His Appearance on that Occasion.--Aunt Graves, and
her Extra Performance.--"Nux Vomica."--Anxious
Mothers.--Mary Jane Arabella Swipes.--Sister Abigail.--Ike
Turtle, and his Designs.--He calls on Aunt Graves.--She'll
go it.--Sister Abigail's Objection.--The Squire's First Love
Letter.--The Wedding.--Great Getting-up.--Turtle's
Examination.--The Squire runs the Risk of "the
Staterts."--Bigelow's Ceremony.--General Break-Down.--Not
_very_ Drunk. 156

CHAPTER XII.

The Group at "The Eagle."--Entree of a Stranger.--His
Opinion of the Tavern.--Bulliphant wakes up.--Can't pick
Fowls after Dark.--Sad Case of Mother Gantlet and Dr.
Teazle.--Mr. Farindale begins to unbend.--Whistle & Sharp,
and their Attorney.--Good Pay.--Legal Conversation.--Going
Sniping.--Great Description of the Animal.--The Party start,
Farindale holding the Bag.--"Waiting for
Snipe."--Farindale's Solitary Return.--His Interview with
Whistle & Sharp.--Suing a Puddleford Firm.--Relief
Laws.--Farindale gets his Execution.--The Puddleford
Bank.--The Appraisers.--Proceeds of the Execution. 166

CHAPTER XIII.

The "Fev-Nag."--Conflicting Theories.--"Oxergin and
Hydergin."--Teazle's Rationale.--The Scourge of the
West.--Sile Bates, and his Condition.--Squire Longbow and
Jim Buzzard.--Puddleford prostrate.--Various
Practitioners.--"The Billerous Duck."--Pioneer
Martyrs.--Wave over Wave. 182

CHAPTER XIV.

Uncommonly Common Schools.--Annual School District
Meeting.--Accounts for Contingent Expenses.--Turtle and Old
Gulick's Boy.--"That are Glass."--The Colonel starts the
Wheels again.--Bulliphant's Tactics.--Have we hired "Deacon
Fluett's Darter," or not?--Isabel Strickett.--Bunker Hill
and Turkey.--Sah-Jane Beagles.--The Question settled. 190

CHAPTER XV.

Venison Styles again.--Sermon on Nature.--Funeral Songs of
the Birds.--Their Flight and Return.--His Theory of
Government.--Sakoset.--The Indians. 198

CHAPTER XVI.

Some Account of John Smith.--Nicknames.--Progress of the
Age.--The Colonel's Opinion of Science.--John Smith's
Dream.--Ike Turtle's Dream.--Ike takes the Boots. 206

CHAPTER XVII.

Ike Turtle in his Office.--The Author consults him on Point
of Law.--Taxes of Non-Residents.--Law in Puddleford.--Mr.
Bridget's Case.--Legal Discussion.--The Case settled. 222

CHAPTER XVIII.

The Wilderness around Puddleford.--The Rivers and the
Forests.--Suggestions of Old Times.--Footprints of the
Jesuits.--Vine-covered Mounds.--Visit to the Forest.--The
Early Frost.--The Forest Clock.--The Woodland Harvest.--The
Last Flowers.--Nature sowing her Seed.--The Squirrel in the
Hickory.--Pigeons, their Ways and their Haunts.--The
Butterflies and the Bullfrog.--Nature and her Sermons.--Her
Temple still open, but the High-priest gone. 230

CHAPTER XIX.

The Old New England Home.--The Sheltered Village.--The
Ancient Buildings.--Dormer Windows.--An Old Puritanical
Home.--The Old Puritan Church.--The Burying-Ground.--Deacon
Smith, his Habits and his Helpers.--Major Simeon Giles, his
Mansion and his Ancestry.--Old Doctor Styles.--Crapo
Jackson, the Sexton.--"Training Days."--Militia
Dignitaries.--Major Boles.--Major General
Peabody.--Preparations and Achievements.--Demolition of an
Apple Cart.--"Shoulder Arms!"--Colonel Asher Peabody.--The
Boys, and their World.--My Last Look at my Native Village. 239

CHAPTER XX.

First Militia Law in Puddleford.--Aunt Sonora opposed to
it.--Turtle sets her right.--Meeting to choose
Officers.--Longbow electioneers for Captain: takes the
Chair.--Turtle objects.--P'ints of Order.--_Vivy Vocy_ Vote
won't do.--Legally authorized Boxes must be had.--Longbow's
Speech.--Turtle fined for Contempt.--Longbow elected
Captain.--Great Military Turn-out.--Company turn a Circle;
Break down.--Turn an Angle; Break down again.--Address to
Troops.--Adjourn _sine die_. 256

CHAPTER XXI.

Mrs. Bird gets in a Rage.--Starve a Child.--Mrs. Bird blows
off at Mrs. Beagle.--Takes Breath.--Blows off again.--Mrs.
Beagle gives a Piece of her Mind.--Aunt Sonora drops
in.--She has no Faith in Second Wives.--All adjourn to the
House of Mrs. Swipes.--General Fight of Tongues.--Mrs.
Swipes gives her Opinion.--A Dead Set by all upon Mrs.
Longbow.--Mrs. Longbow raps at the Door.--The Scene
changes.--Final Wind-up. 272

CHAPTER XXII.

Appeal of Case Filkins _vs._ Beadle.--Turtle's Affidavit and
"P'ints."--Longbow's Return.--County Court.--Turtle opens
his Law "P'ints."--Bates replies.--A Fight.--Collateral
Ish-ers.--Squire Longbow present.--The Court sustains Squire
Longbow.--Turtle gets into a Passion.--Impanelling the
Jury.--Mr. Buzzlebaum leaves.--Mr. Tumbleton upsets
Ike.--Mr. Flummer is cut short bob off.--Ike opens to the
Jury.--The Trial.--Charge of the Court.--Jury retire.--Can't
agree. 284

CHAPTER XXIII.

Amusements in Puddleford.--The Highland Fling.--A Fire-eater
comes next.--Runs a Sword down his Throat.--Starts his
Ribbon Factory.--Borrows Squire Longbow's Hat.--Boils Eggs
in it.--The Squire gets into a Passion.--The Grand Caravan
is posted.--Squire Longbow lectures on the Lion.--Bigelow
Van Slyck follows on the Ichneumon.--The Caravan
arrives.--Great Excitement.--Jim Buzzard still
himself.--Aunt Sonora in Trouble.--The Band blows away.--The
Canvas is raised.--Terrible Press of Puddlefordians.--The
Keeper shows up the Lion.--Explains why he has no Hair.--The
Ichneumon is found at last.--The Monkey Ride.--Breaking up. 309

CHAPTER XXIV.

The Tinkhams arrive.--Great Stir.--Miss Lavinia Longbow's
Head is turned.--Everybody in Love with the Tinkhams.--Wind
changes.--The Tinkhams fall.--The whole Pack out on
them.--They abandon the Settlement. 337

CHAPTER XXV.

And still New England.--Sui Generis.--Her Ruggedness the
Soil of Liberty.--The Contrast.--The New England
Conservative.--The New England Man of Business.--The West
has no Past.--_Fast_, and Hospitable.--Saxon Blood and Saxon
Spirit. 346

CHAPTER XXVI.

Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the
Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The
Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring
Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels,
Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The
Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May. 357

CHAPTER XXVII.

A Railroad through Puddleford.--The Effect on Squire
Longbow.--Bright Prospects of Puddleford.--Change.--"The
Styleses."--The New Justice.--Aunt Sonora's Opinions.--Ike
Turtle grows too.--Venison disappears from among Men.--His
Grave and his Epitaph. 368

CHAPTER XXVIII.

CONCLUSION.--The Philosophy of Puddleford.--Diverse Elements
in Pioneer Life.--Longbow and his Administration.--Not
Expensive.--Two Hundred a Year, all told.--What would Chief
Justice Marshall have done as Justice of
Puddleford?--Longbow a great Man.--Fame and Politics.--Ike,
a Wheel.--Puddleford Theology.--Camp-Meetings.--Who will do
Bigelow's Work better than Bigelow?--Great Happiness, and
few Nerves.--No "Society."--No Fashion in Clothes, or
anything else.--Bull's-Eye and Pinchbeck.--The Great Trade
didn't "Come Off."--Abounding Charity and
Hospitality.--Pilgrim Blood.--Longbow's.--Planting the
_Mud-Sills_.--Old Associations, how Controlling!--Good by,
Reader. 372

THE PUDDLEFORD PAPERS.