THE MYSTERY OF METROPOLISVILLE BY EDWARD EGGLESTON AUTHOR OF "THE HOOGLEE SCHOOL-MASTER," "THE END OF THE WORLD," ETC 1888 TO ONE WHO KNOWS WITH ME A LOVE-STORY, NOW MORE THAN FIFTEEN YEARS IN LENGTH, AND BETTER A HUNDREDFOLD THAN ANY I SHALL EVER BE ABLE TO WRITE, THIS BOOK IS INSCRIBED, ON AN ANNIVERSARY. MARCH 18TH, 1873. PREFACE. A novel should be the truest of books. It partakes in a certain sense of the nature of both history and art. It needs to be true to human nature in its permanent and essential qualities, and it should truthfully represent some specific and temporary manifestation of human nature: that is, some form of society. It has been objected that I have copied life too closely, but it seems to me that the work to be done just now, is to represent the forms and spirit of our own life, and thus free ourselves from habitual imitation of that which is foreign. I have wished to make my stories of value as a contribution to the history of civilization in America. If it be urged that this is not the highest function, I reply that it is just now the most necessary function of this kind of literature. Of the value of these stories as works of art, others must judge; but I shall have the satisfaction of knowing that I have at least rendered one substantial though humble service to our literature, if I have portrayed correctly certain forms of American life and manners. BROOKLYN, March, 1873. CONTENTS. PREFACE WORDS BEFOREHAND CHAPTER I. The Autocrat of the Stage-Coach CHAPTER II. The Sod Tavern CHAPTER III. Land and Love CHAPTER IV. Albert and Katy CHAPTER V. Corner Lots CHAPTER VI. Little Katy's Lover CHAPTER VII. Catching and Getting Caught CHAPTER VIII. Isabel Marlay CHAPTER IX. Lovers and Lovers CHAPTER X. Plausaby, Esq., takes a Fatherly Interest CHAPTER XI. About Several Things CHAPTER XII. An Adventure CHAPTER XIII. A Shelter CHAPTER XIV. The Inhabitant CHAPTER XV. An Episode CHAPTER XVI. The Return CHAPTER XVII. Sawney and his Old Love CHAPTER XVIII. A Collision CHAPTER XIX. Standing Guard in Vain CHAPTER XX. Sawney and Westcott CHAPTER XXI. Rowing CHAPTER XXII. Sailing CHAPTER XXIII. Sinking CHAPTER XXIV. Dragging CHAPTER XXV. Afterwards CHAPTER XXVI. The Mystery CHAPTER XXVII. The Arrest CHAPTER XXVIII. The Tempter CHAPTER XXIX. The Trial CHAPTER XXX. The Penitentiary CHAPTER XXXI. Mr. Lurton CHAPTER XXXII. A Confession CHAPTER XXXIII. Death CHAPTER XXXIV. Mr. Lurton's Courtship CHAPTER XXXV. Unbarred CHAPTER XXXVI. Isabel CHAPTER XXXVII. The Last WORDS AFTERWARDS ILLUSTRATIONS BY FRANK BEARD The Superior Being Mr. Minorkey and the Fat Gentleman Plausaby sells Lots "By George! He! he! he!"