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industrious； kind； and neighborly； and neglected no duty for the
sake of indulging this 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 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 Rev。 Dr。 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
tiptoes； 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 overhear 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 thunderbreath 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 gli