AMOS JUDD AMOS JUDD BY J. A. MITCHELL ILLUSTRATED BY A. I. KELLER [Illustration] NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS 1901 _Copyright, 1895, 1901, by Charles Scribner’s Sons_ ILLUSTRATIONS FROM DRAWINGS IN COLOR BY A. I. KELLER [Illustration] _Vignette_ Title-Page “_How much do they represent, the whole lot_” Facing page _18_ “_I beg your pardon, I--I was startled_” _48_ _It seemed a long five minutes_ _136_ _Gently rocking with both feet on the ground_ _168_ “_I thank you, Bull, for chasing me into Molly Cabot’s heart_” _182_ “_He is the image of you_” _206_ “_The end has come, my Moll_” _250_ AMOS JUDD I At the station of Bingham Cross Roads four passengers got off the train. One, a woman with bundles, who was evidently familiar with her surroundings, walked rapidly away through the hot September sunshine toward the little village in the distance. The other three stood on the platform and looked about, as if taking their bearings. They were foreigners of an unfamiliar species. Their fellow-passengers in the car had discussed them with an interest not entirely free from suspicion, and their finally getting out at such an unimportant station as Bingham Cross Roads caused a surprise which, although reasonably under control, was still too strong for concealment. From the windows of the car at least a dozen pairs of eyes were watching them. The two men and the little boy who composed this group were of dark complexion, with clean-cut, regular features. The oldest, a man of sixty years or more, had a military bearing, and was, if one could judge from appearances, a person of authority in his own country, wherever that might be. Although the younger man seemed to resemble him, it was in such a general way that he might be either his son or no relation whatever. But the little boy had excited a yet greater interest than his companions. Although but six or seven years old, he comported himself with as much dignity and reserve as the gentleman with the silver hair. This gave the impression, and without apparent intention on his part, that he also was an important personage. His dark eyes were strikingly beautiful and, like those of his seniors, were distinctly foreign in design.