Nay,
have I not resigned them all for ever, to live with that portrait's
changing original?
I have often wondered how I should reach my castles. The desire of
going comes over me very strongly sometimes, and I endeavor to see how
I can arrange my affairs, so as to get away. To tell the truth, I am
not quite sure of the route,--I mean, to that particular part of Spain
in which my estates lie. I have inquired very particularly, but nobody
seems to know precisely. One morning I met young Aspen, trembling with
excitement.
"What's the matter?" asked I with interest, for I knew that he held a
great deal of Spanish stock.
"Oh!" said he, "I'm going out to take possession. I have found the
way to my castles in Spain."
"Dear me!" I answered, with the blood streaming into my face; and,
heedless of Prue, pulling my glove until it ripped--"what is it?"
"The direct route is through California," answered he.
"But then you have the sea to cross afterward," said I, remembering
the map.
"Not at all," answered Aspen, "the road runs along the shore of the
Sacramento River."
He darted away from me, and I did not meet him again.
Pages:
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52