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100% found this document useful (6 votes)
13K views

Complete Download Artificial Intelligence and Problem Solving 1st Edition Danny Kopec PDF All Chapters

The document provides information on various eBooks related to artificial intelligence and problem-solving, including titles by authors such as Danny Kopec and Dimitris Vrakas. It includes links to download these eBooks in multiple formats and outlines licensing and warranty information for the content. Additionally, the document features a detailed table of contents for the book 'Artificial Intelligence and Problem Solving' by Dr. Danny Kopec and others, covering various problem-solving techniques and examples.

Uploaded by

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Artificial
Intelligence
and
Problem Solving
License, Disclaimer Of Liability, And Limited Warranty
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Artificial
Intelligence
and
Problem Solving

Dr. Danny Kopec


Christopher Pileggi
David Ungar
Shweta Shetty

Mercury Learning and Information


Dulles, Virginia
Boston, Massachusetts
New Delhi
Copyright ©2017 by Mercury Learning and Information LLC. All rights reserved.
Portions of this book appeared in Artificial Intelligence Problems and Their Solutions
(978-1-938549-83-0). ©Copyright 2014. Mercury Learning and Information LLC.

This publication, portions of it, or any accompanying software may not be reproduced in
any way, stored in a retrieval system of any type, or transmitted by any means, media,
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Publisher: David Pallai


Mercury Learning and Information
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info@merclearning.com
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D. Kopec, C. Pileggi, D. Ungar, & S. Shetty. Artificial Intelligence and Problem Solving.
ISBN: 978-1-944534-58-5

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developers as a means to distinguish their products. All brand names and product names
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Contents

Preface������������������������������������������������������������������������������ xiii
List of Figures and Tables��������������������������������������������������xv

Chapter 1: Introduction���������������������������������������������1
1.1 Goals and Purpose of This Book����������������������������������������� 1
1.2 Background and Previous Work������������������������������������������ 4
1.3 Contributions of This Book������������������������������������������������� 5
1.4 References��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5

Part I: Problem Solving and Traditional Artificial


Intelligence Problems������������������������������������������������7

Chapter 2: Problem Solving���������������������������������������9


2.1 Polya’s Five Steps for Problem Solving������������������������������� 9
2.2 Problem-Solving Techniques�������������������������������������������� 14
2.2.1 Heuristics���������������������������������������������������������������� 22
2.2.2 Additional Heuristics for Problem Solving����������� 24
2.3 The Human Window��������������������������������������������������������� 25
2.4 Human Window Criteria and Ranking of Solutions��������� 28
2.5 Classification���������������������������������������������������������������������� 31
2.6 References������������������������������������������������������������������������� 33
vi • Artificial Intelligence and Problem Solving

Chapter 3: The Missionaries and


Cannibals Problem���������������������������������������������������35
3.1 Background������������������������������������������������������������������������ 35
3.2 Choosing an Appropriate Representation������������������������ 37
3.3 Solution������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 40
3.4 Human Problem Solving��������������������������������������������������� 42
3.5 Human Window Analysis of Solutions������������������������������ 47
3.5.1 The Most Human Window–Compatible
Solution������������������������������������������������������������������� 48
3.5.2 The Least Human Window–Compatible
Solution������������������������������������������������������������������� 50
3.6 Best Machine Solution������������������������������������������������������ 52
3.7 Related Problems��������������������������������������������������������������� 53
3.8 Playable Program��������������������������������������������������������������� 54
3.9 References������������������������������������������������������������������������� 55

Chapter 4: The 12 Coins Problem���������������������������57


4.1 Background������������������������������������������������������������������������ 57
4.2 Solving a Smaller Problem������������������������������������������������ 58
4.3 Solution������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 62
4.4 Human Problem Solving��������������������������������������������������� 68
4.5 Human Window Analysis of Solutions������������������������������ 69
4.5.1 The Most Human Window–Compatible
Solution������������������������������������������������������������������� 71
4.5.2 The Least Human Window–Compatible
Solution������������������������������������������������������������������� 71
4.6 Best Machine Solution������������������������������������������������������ 74
4.7 Playable Program��������������������������������������������������������������� 75
4.8 References������������������������������������������������������������������������� 75

Chapter 5: Cryptarithms������������������������������������������77
5.1 Background������������������������������������������������������������������������ 77
5.2 Problem-Solving Techniques�������������������������������������������� 78
5.3 Solution������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 79
5.4 Human Problem Solving��������������������������������������������������� 91
5.5 Human Window Analysis of Solutions������������������������������ 92
5.5.1 The Most Human Window–Compatible
Solution������������������������������������������������������������������� 94
Contents • vii

5.5.2 The Least Human Window–Compatible


Solution������������������������������������������������������������������� 95
5.6 Best Machine Solution������������������������������������������������������ 96
5.7 Related Problems��������������������������������������������������������������� 97
5.8 Playable Program��������������������������������������������������������������� 98
5.9 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 100

Chapter 6: The Red Donkey Puzzle����������������������101


6.1 Background���������������������������������������������������������������������� 101
6.2 Solution���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 103
6.2.1 Bidirectional Search��������������������������������������������� 106
6.3 Human Problem Solving������������������������������������������������� 107
6.4 Human Window Analysis of Solutions���������������������������� 108
6.4.1 The Most Human Window–Compatible
Solution����������������������������������������������������������������� 109
6.4.2 The Least Human Window–Compatible
Solution����������������������������������������������������������������� 112
6.5 Best Machine Solution���������������������������������������������������� 114
6.6 Related Problems������������������������������������������������������������� 115
6.7 Playable Program������������������������������������������������������������� 115
6.8 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 116

Chapter 7: The 15 Puzzle���������������������������������������117


7.1 Background���������������������������������������������������������������������� 117
7.2 Problem-Solving Techniques������������������������������������������ 118
7.3 Solution���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 119
7.3.1 Solving the First Row������������������������������������������� 120
7.3.2 The Corner Technique���������������������������������������� 124
7.3.3 Solving the Second Row�������������������������������������� 126
7.3.4 Solving the Third Row����������������������������������������� 127
7.3.5 Solving the Fourth Row��������������������������������������� 130
7.4 Human Window Analysis of Solutions���������������������������� 132
7.4.1 The Most Human Window–Compatible
Solution����������������������������������������������������������������� 134
7.4.2 The Least Human Window–Compatible
Solution����������������������������������������������������������������� 134
7.5 Best Machine Solution���������������������������������������������������� 136
7.6 Related Problems������������������������������������������������������������� 138
7.7 Playable Program������������������������������������������������������������� 139
7.8 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 139
viii • Artificial Intelligence and Problem Solving

Chapter 8: The Knight’s Tour Problem�����������������141


8.1 Background���������������������������������������������������������������������� 141
8.2 Problem-Solving Techniques������������������������������������������ 142
8.3 Solution���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 143
8.4 Human Problem Solving������������������������������������������������� 152
8.5 Human Window Analysis of Solutions���������������������������� 152
8.5.1 The Most Human Window–Compatible
Solution����������������������������������������������������������������� 155
8.5.2 The Least Human Window–Compatible
Solution����������������������������������������������������������������� 156
8.6 Best Machine Solution���������������������������������������������������� 158
8.7 Related Problems������������������������������������������������������������� 160
8.8 Playable Program������������������������������������������������������������� 160
8.9 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 161

Chapter 9: Mastermind������������������������������������������163
9.1 Background���������������������������������������������������������������������� 163
9.2 Problem-Solving Techniques������������������������������������������ 164
9.3 Solution���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 165
9.3.1 Example 1������������������������������������������������������������� 166
9.3.2 Example 2������������������������������������������������������������� 168
9.3.3 Example 3������������������������������������������������������������� 170
9.3.4 Example 4������������������������������������������������������������� 173
9.4 Human Problem Solving������������������������������������������������� 174
9.5 Human Window Analysis of Solutions���������������������������� 175
9.6 Best Machine Solution���������������������������������������������������� 176
9.7 Related Problems������������������������������������������������������������� 177
9.8 Playable Program������������������������������������������������������������� 177
9.9 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 178

Chapter 10: The Monty Hall Problem�������������������179


10.1 Background���������������������������������������������������������������������� 179
10.2 Problem-Solving Techniques������������������������������������������ 180
10.3 Solution���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 182
10.4 Human Problem Solving������������������������������������������������� 182
10.5 Related Problems������������������������������������������������������������� 183
10.6 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 184
Contents • ix

Chapter 11: Rubik’s Cube��������������������������������������185


11.1 Background���������������������������������������������������������������������� 185
11.2 Problem-Solving Techniques������������������������������������������ 186
11.3 Solution���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 187
11.3.1 Cube Components���������������������������������������������� 188
11.3.2 Subgoal 1: The Top Cross����������������������������������� 193
11.3.3 Subgoal 2: The Top Corners������������������������������ 194
11.3.4 Subgoal 4: The New Top Cross�������������������������� 198
11.3.5 Subgoal 5: The New Top’s Corners�������������������� 200
11.3.6 Subgoal 6: Correct Corner Positioning�������������� 201
11.3.7 Subgoal 7: The Top Edges���������������������������������� 203
11.4 Human Problem Solving������������������������������������������������� 205
11.5 Human Window Analysis of Solutions���������������������������� 206
11.5.1 The Most Human Window–Compatible
Solution��������������������������������������������������������������� 208
11.5.2 The Least Human Window–Compatible
Solution��������������������������������������������������������������� 209
11.6 Best Machine Solution���������������������������������������������������� 212
11.7 Playable Program������������������������������������������������������������� 214
11.8 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 215

Chapter 12: The Prisoner’s Dilemma��������������������217


12.1 The Traditional Problem*������������������������������������������������ 217
12.2 The Iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma������������������������������������ 220
12.3 Applications in Diverse Areas����������������������������������������� 220
12.4 Related Problems������������������������������������������������������������� 223
12.5 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 223

Part II: Problems Requiring Computer


Solutions�����������������������������������������������������������������225

Chapter 13: Sudoku������������������������������������������������227


13.1 Background���������������������������������������������������������������������� 228
13.2 Mathematical Analysis����������������������������������������������������� 230
13.3 Problem Solving Techniques and Strategies������������������� 235
13.4 A Real Life Experiment��������������������������������������������������� 240
13.5 Algorithms for Computer Solutions�������������������������������� 244
x • Artificial Intelligence and Problem Solving

13.6 Human Window Analysis of Solutions���������������������������� 245


13.6.1 The Most Human Window-Compatible
Solution��������������������������������������������������������������� 247
13.6.2 The Least Human Window-Compatible
Solution��������������������������������������������������������������� 252
13.7 Playable Online���������������������������������������������������������������� 254
13.8 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 255

Chapter 14: Map Coloring and


the Chromatic N
­ umber������������������������������������������257
14.1 Background���������������������������������������������������������������������� 257
14.2 Illustrating the Theorem������������������������������������������������� 259
14.3 Early Attempts at Proof��������������������������������������������������� 261
14.4 Summary of Events that led to the Definition and
Solution to The Four Color Problem������������������������������ 264
14.5 Sample of Code from the Proof�������������������������������������� 266
14.6 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 268

Chapter 15: Cryptography�������������������������������������269


15.1 Background���������������������������������������������������������������������� 270
15.2 Symmetric Key Encryption��������������������������������������������� 271
15.3 Public Key Encryption���������������������������������������������������� 274
15.4 RSA Encryption��������������������������������������������������������������� 276
15.5 Issues Regarding RSA Cryptographic
Systems����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 279
15.5.1 Examples of RSA Implementation�������������������� 280
15.5.2 Security and Attacks on RSA������������������������������ 281
15.6 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 282

Chapter 16: Random Walks on Graphs and


Monte Carlo Methods��������������������������������������������285
16.1 Introduction��������������������������������������������������������������������� 285
16.2 Theoretical Applications�������������������������������������������������� 288
16.3 Random Walks on Graphs����������������������������������������������� 290
16.4 Markov Chains and Monte Carlo Methods�������������������� 293
16.5 References����������������������������������������������������������������������� 294
Contents • xi

Part III: Miscellaneous Smaller Problems and


­Towards a Theory���������������������������������������������������297

Chapter 17: Miscellaneous Problems��������������������299


17.1 Cards/Coins in the Dark�������������������������������������������������� 299
17.1.1 Cards in the Dark����������������������������������������������� 300
17.1.2 Coins Version of the Problem���������������������������� 301
17.1.3 References���������������������������������������������������������� 302
17.2 Ten Pirates and Their Gold��������������������������������������������� 302
17.3 Halmos’s Handshake Problem���������������������������������������� 306
17.4 Random Airline Seats Problem��������������������������������������� 314
17.6 The Birthday Problem����������������������������������������������������� 317
17.7 Newer Artificial Intelligence Problem
Solving Techniques���������������������������������������������������������� 319
17.7.1 Deep Learning���������������������������������������������������� 319
17.7.2 Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN’s)���������� 320
17.7.3 Deep Belief Networks���������������������������������������� 322
17.7.4 References���������������������������������������������������������� 324

Chapter 18: Conclusion: Toward a Theory for


­Problem Solving�����������������������������������������������������327
18.1 Human Window Study���������������������������������������������������� 327
18.2 Lessons Learned�������������������������������������������������������������� 328
18.2.1 The Missionaries and Cannibals Problem��������� 329
18.2.2 The 12 Coins Problem���������������������������������������� 330
18.2.3 Cryptarithms������������������������������������������������������� 331
18.2.4 The Red Donkey Puzzle������������������������������������� 332
18.2.5 The 15 Puzzle����������������������������������������������������� 332
18.2.6 The Knight’s Tour Problem�������������������������������� 333
18.2.7 Mastermind��������������������������������������������������������� 333
18.2.8 The Monty Hall Problem����������������������������������� 334
18.2.9 Rubik’s Cube������������������������������������������������������� 334
18.2.10 The Prisoner’s Dilemma������������������������������������� 334
18.2.11 Miscellaneous Problems������������������������������������� 334
18.3 Retrospective, Conclusions, and Future Work��������������� 335
18.4 Supplemental References������������������������������������������������ 336
18.5 Composite Problem Playability Sites������������������������������ 338
On the Companion Disc�����������������������������������������341
Appendix A—Student Solutions
Appendix B—12 Coins Algorithm
Appendix C—Human Window Study
Appendix D—Program Solutions to Problems

Index�����������������������������������������������������������������������343
Preface

We live in times that are transitional and fast-paced. Just about


everyone seems to own at least one electronic device, such as iPhones,
smart phones, notebooks, and so on, that they consider vital to their
existence. Patience is short, and everyone wants quick results (i.e.,
Google) without having to do a lot of difficult research. Students come
to classes unabashedly deploying these devices, and instructors don’t
know if they’re text messaging/social networking or addressing the
topic at hand. Attention spans seem to be very short. We are consist-
ently distracted by the small things that need to, or can, be done. In
the end, our lives seem to be made up of small, choppy episodes as we
go about conducting our daily tasks. The notion that one sits still at a
desk uninterrupted for many hours seems foreign to our society today.
Persistence, trial and error, search, inquisitiveness, and simply “think-
ing” appear to be activities of the past. And it is clear that there will be
no turning back from this technological age and our dependency on
technology. Yet, over and over again, we hear that our children’s test
scores are declining.
One perspective on intelligence measures the ability to solve prob-
lems. Another considers how an individual or a society is able to survive
under adverse conditions. So the natural question is: what will happen
to our society and our children if someone “turns off the power”?
Therefore, a book about solving problems that uses nontrivial and
sometimes difficult problems is especially timely, since it addresses
the needs of a number of possible constituent audiences. This book
assembles in one place a set of interesting and challenging Artificial
Intelligence (AI)–type problems that students regularly encounter in
computer science, mathematics, and AI courses. These problems are
not new, and students from all backgrounds can benefit from the kind
of deductive thinking that goes into solving them. Another constituent
xiv • Artificial Intelligence and Problem Solving

audience is the computer science, mathematics, or AI instructor who


is looking for answers to these problems. This addresses not only solu-
tions, but explores the kinds of thinking, methods, and applications
used in computer science and AI techniques to solve these problems.
Furthermore, a solid understanding of how amenable a solution is to
humans (hence the notion of the “Human Window”) adds more depth
to how the problems and their solutions can and should be presented.
This book is also helpful to anyone who would like to improve his or
her problem-solving skills. No doubt today’s young people will soon
discover that they are lacking in these basic skills, and this book will
be one resource they can turn to for help practicing and enhancing
their problem-solving skills. Furthermore, there will be benefits from
developing and maintaining life-long learning skills.
Another element of the book which is unique is the discussion of
problems which essentially have proven intractable for humans, and
have demonstrated that they require the use of a computer to solve.
These problems are presented, analyzed along with their solutions in
Chapters 13 through 16 – namely, Chapter 13 Sudoku, Chapter 14
Map Coloring and the Chromatic Number, Chapter 15 Cryptography,
and Chapter 16 Random Walks on Graphs and Monte Carlo Methods.
We are very pleased that Dr. James Cox, my colleague and friend at
Brooklyn College was willing to completely rework a paper which is to
appear in a Special Issue of “Mathematics and Computer Simulation”
(2016) co-authored with our colleague Dr. Paula Whitlock and Wen-ju
Cheng.
The companion files for this title are also available for download-
ing via FTP by writing to the publisher at info@merclearning.com.
This book is available in digital format at authorcloudware.com and
other digital vendors.
It must be emphasized that this book is not about solving problems
quickly. Skillful problem solving—whether learning to play chess,
becoming a competent violinist, or reading this book—requires time.
So get ready to enjoy, learn, benefit, and grow!
Danny Kopec
Merrick, NY
June, 2016
Random documents with unrelated
content Scribd suggests to you:
The Project Gutenberg eBook of Plet:
A Christmas Tale of the Wasatch
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United
States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with
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eBook.

Title: Plet: A Christmas Tale of the Wasatch

Author: Alfred Lambourne

Release date: December 17, 2021 [eBook #66961]

Language: English

Original publication: United States: The Deseret News

Credits: Charlene Taylor, Guus Snijders and the Online


Distributed Proofreading Team at
https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from
images generously made available by The Internet
Archive/American Libraries.)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLET: A


CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH ***
Transcriber's note:

A few errors in punctuation have been silently restored,


otherwise the original spelling was retained.
PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH
PLET:
A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH

BY
ALFRED LAMBOURNE

The Deseret News


1909

Copyright, 1891, 1894, 1906, by


Alfred Lambourne

TO
HOLD FROM OBLIVION AWHILE, AND TO PRESENT
TO MY CHILDREN,
THE MEMORIES OF HOURS
PASSED AT THE PLACE DESCRIBED HEREIN AS
OUR HOME.
PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE
WASATCH.

tale from out my western life you say?


Something to while the Christmas Eve away;
And something, too, to suit this festal time,
With two old bachelors, long past their prime,
Who as they sip in solitude their wine,
Are filled with memories of Auld Lang Syne?
Well,—I grant it. Yet why did you add,
Something to suit the time? I shall be glad—
But was the last a tongue slip? Let it go.
Still, why I asked, the tale will clearly show.
As I proceed and still you care to hear,
You'll find it suits this night of all the year.
Oh, yes! to fill your wish I'm full inclined,
I need but voice the thoughts within my mind,
And then the task's completed. All comes back
On every Christmas Eve, I never lack
Of food for thought. That time I'll ne'er forget
In future years, though distant may be set
My time for going. When my younger mate—
But why as writers say—anticipate?
You'll find the tale, perhaps, a trifle sad,
When every dictum says it should be glad.
And—hope the last will not astonish you—
Once in a while a little preachy, too.
And mixed with love, a subject—well, heigh, ho!
Something that we are not supposed to know.
PART FIRST.
I.

rash! crash!! crash!!! A heavy, thunderous sound,


Re-echoed from the snow-clad mountains round.
Then shrieks and voices hoarse came through the night
And far below we saw the lantern's light,—
It was the slides again! Through misty damp,
We hastened downward to the stricken camp.

The Christmas Eve! Ill time had chosen Fate


To work her will and joy annihilate!
Women and children lay beneath that snow,
And many a bronzed cheek was touched with woe.
Think not those men who toil amid the hills
Lack generous fire that noble bosom fills.
Their hearts are tender and their hearts are true,
Their sympathies come quick as mountain dew.
I've been at many rescues; seen the tears
Fill manly eyes, when hope came after fears.
Seen cheeks turn pale, as from their prisons deep,
Crushed, lifeless forms were lifted in last sleep:
As some dear comrade, thought past hope, beneath
The hard-pack'd snow, was found to live—to breathe.
Oh, true those brawny delvers of the mines,
Though in their fashion they are rough at times!
Have you ever seen a snow-slide?—No?
Ah! oft I've wished their pictures to outgrow!
I've drunk a drop or two the thoughts to drown,
'Tis hard, sometimes, to keep emotion down.
Soon we had rescued four; and found three—dead;
A father, mother, child. The cradle-head
Stood by the shattered wall, and close there hung—
Not one but felt his heart with pity wrung—
The child's blue, tiny stocking. On the man
Lay the roof-tree; we hardly dared to scan
With sidelong glance the sight. But wife nor child
The snow had marr'd, for still the mother smiled;
The little hands were clasped as if in prayer—
As lisped words but echoed mother's there,
Or as the thoughts were filled with visions bright,
Of what the eyes should see at dawn of light.
Alas! those eyes would open never more;
How quick their time for smiles and tears was o'er!
The clasped hands that toy should never lift
Saint Nicholas had brought for Christmas gift.
And so we worked, and ere the darkness fled
Six others we had placed among the dead,
But none we found were living. Nine there lay
All stark upon the snow, that black night's prey.
Where it would end, there was no time to ask,
As steadily we held the grewsome task.
We did our best—I'm over sixty now,
And strife with Fortune early lined my brow—
So I, when overcome with labor sheer,
A lantern held or uttered words of cheer.
At last we reached them—all too late it seemed,
So pale their faces as the cold morn gleamed.
Around the father's neck her arms were flung,
As if in terror from her couch she sprung,
When first upon her ears came, faint and low,
The distant rumble of the loosened snow.
Lovely she lay in her long, broidered robe,
Her brown hair rippling o'er each argent globe
Of her ripe bosom's wealth. A long lash press'd
Silken on either cheek. Even when oppressed
By death's close presence—she was lovely then,
But still more lovely as those days came when
Her cheeks with health were red, and in her eye
The light of friendship shone, and, by and by,
The tender look of love. No wonder Jo
Lost then and there his heart. The girl to know
Was prelude sure to loving. Wonderful
Indeed, had he not loved her. And a full
And generous destiny appeared to say,
You'll stand together on your Wedding Day.
Whene'er I saw them happy side by side,
My foolish heart said, "Jo has found his bride."
Perhaps when heart's for heart, there is a link
We do not understand. I sometimes think
Love called to love from Death's dark portico—
Or else what urged the lad to labor so?
'Twas he who, reverent, raised her in his arms,
All mute at her sweet face and maiden charms.
My full belief it was that from the grave
The girl had come to wed my boy so brave.
But not so fast, old Time has chastened me,
For who can tell what Fate will say, shall be!
Yes, once again the story all revives—
Strange part the Christmas Eve played in their lives!
II.

ur Home—that is our cabin, Jo's and mine,


A single room to dwell in, sleep or dine,
Stood in a hollow near the mountain top,
Where massive walls the blue sky seemed to prop.
A stern, bleak, strange, a lonely rugged place
From whence down-looking one could distant trace
The far-sunk canon and the ledges damp
That sloped toward the little mining camp.
A Babylonish pile at one end rose
On which lay through the year the spiral snows;
And at the other, lichened, richly mossed,
Inlaid by nature's hand, all wild up-tossed,
A mass of terraces did steeply lean,
While tumbled debris lay these heights between.
And higher still the hoary mountain passed
Into a peak, all naked, pale, and vast;
Bleached into gray, but marked with mineral stain—
The source of which it was our hope to gain.
So thus we tunneled and did slow proceed,
Striving from day to day to reach "the lead."
Across the debris lay a zig-zag track
Our feet had made in climbing up and back.
And 'tween our claim and cabin, lost in sleep,
A mountain lake lay cold, and dark, and deep.
Three years we lived there—in that hollow stern,
The mountain's sights and voices well did learn.
Peered down the ledges sunk in watery gloom,
Beheld the flowers that exhaled rich perfume.
By the lake margin they in myriads grew—
Unfolded there the starry asters blue;
Around each boulder, ere the snow was old,
Came gleaming buttercups in rings of gold;
Where swift the gathered waters fell away,
Forget-me-nots were drenched in crystal spray.
The mimulus, the brush, geraniums bright,
Lit up the shadows with a sunny light.
These sounds we heard—the new-born torrent's plaint,
The bird-like chirp of hidden squirrel faint;
And others, too, uncanny, savage, wild—
The wind that fiend-like shrieked 'mong rocks all aisled,
Anon, oh, dreadful sound! the thunder-peal,
When e'en the giant mountain seemed to reel.
Sometimes the echo of a distant blast—
Which sound of promise made our hearts beat fast—
Full many a sound that made our bosoms swell;
Oh, yes, we learned to know the mountains well!
But who was Jo? We met upon the slope
When I, at least, was well-nigh without hope.
I'd struggled long—it was my fate, you see—
Had been held down by dark adversity.
But from the moment I met Jo—'twas change,
Then for my life began an upward range.
Upon the cliffs of purple, iron-gray,
Heavy and wan, the clouds held fast that day.
The Tower of Babel, in the thick murk gloom'd,
Like to a mighty, spectral shadow loom'd
Dim, black, gigantic, save for lines of snow
Reflected vaguely in the lake below.
And clouds as heavy on the peak did rest,
While vapors white lay wild along each crest.
'Twas ominous truly, but sudden—lo, behold!
The sunbeams darted through the thick enfold.
And then was transformation! 'Twas a sign—
An omen surely good, I did divine.
We stood and gazed in silence. All the moss
Seemed turned to emerald fire by the cross
Of slanting sunbeams. Silver flash they gave
To edge of every shoreward lapping wave.
And then the flowers! As by magic turned,
Each rain-wet leaf as topaz, ruby, burned!
Oh, 'twas inspiring! But why more recite?
Our friendship dated from that glorious sight.
I thought that Fortune dealt anew the cards,
When Jo consented to try luck as "pards."
Nor did I rue it. 'Twas a well-fought game.
Ere that day ended we had staked a claim.
Led by a hope not easy to dispel,
We built our hut by that deep mountain well.
And there we lived. All gloomy thoughts we quelled,
Believed success was in the future held.
Oft we would sit beside our cabin door,
Each chance of winning look at o'er and o'er;
And as we lit and smoked a friendly pipe,
We'd boast how Fortune's hair we'd tightly gripe.
We saw the yellow twilight in the west
Grow dim and fade upon the mountain's breast.
Oft when the lake and crags had turned to jet,
The moon came up and found us watchers yet.
Dear lad, I loved him truly as my life,—
In those three years we passed no word of strife;
I played the father, he was like a son.
Alas! the end to that so well begun!
A curious fact—and why not tell it here?
Though you may think it just a little queer—
I wished when my time came, and I lay dead,
Within that hollow, Jo should make my bed.
In some strange way—I scarce can make it clear,
Nor in my hopefulness should it appear—
That one of us would live to see his mate,
The labors of his life there terminate.
And so, in shelter that a dwarfed pine gave
With mental sight I saw my cone-strewn grave.
Yet nothing said to give to Jo distress,
And—let an ending come to this digress—
I wish to make this truth appear quite plain,
'Twas Jo I thought of more than hope of gain.
Brave lad! There shone within his honest eye
A daring will to conquer or to die.
Perhaps 'twas that endeared him to me so,
His fiery youth—and I so tame and slow.
Besides my past had all been a mistake,
While golden promise said to him, Awake!
We started different, I had lost my chance,
The future bade him boldly to advance.
It seemed to me to take but little guess
To know that Jo would make of life success.
III.

nd Plet—for later so we found her name—


The very idol of the camp became;
A roguish, wilful, tomboy, sparkling girl,
As ever set a lover's brain awhirl.
Full of all tricks, yet gold without alloy,
The pride of all, and all her father's joy.
And modest, too. Her cheek with blushes burned,
That day we heard how she her pet name earned.
"You see," her father said, in merry mood,
While Plet sought quick our glances to elude,
"'Twas this way," here her face he downward drew,
"We found it well to cut your name in two.
Yes, darling, in those days that now are fled
We Pretty called you, 'Pletty' your lips said.
As Pretty were you, 'Pletty' you became,
And soon would answer to no other name.
But in good time the 'Pletty' came to 'Plet,'
The name we christened you I half forget.
This hair of brown was then all golden curls,
Ere you had grown most naughty of all girls.
Before this time, when you all care repay,
With wicked guiles that turn my old head gray."
Then Plet indulged in charming smile and pout—
That she was "papa's darling" none could doubt.
She was his all upon life's pilgrimage,
A golden letter saved from vanished page,
The promised solace of his closing years,
A hope that came from out a time of tears:
Of children born to him the first and last,
The image of her well-loved mother passed.
Such Plet—whose noble, sympathetic heart
Had others caused to live a better part;
A petticoated, pranksome, daring scamp,
The dainty hoyden of a mining camp.
PART SECOND.
IV.

o was pure-minded. He possessed a force


That kept him always from the low and coarse;
If ugly vice and sin upon him frowned,
With head erect he firmly held his ground.
When siren Pleasure spread her silken net
He was not caught, nor made a conscience debt.
They found he was not of their kind—those men,
Who sought the brothel, drink-shop, gambling-den.
No goody-goody—it was known at length
His action came from courage and from strength,
And those who make a test were sure to find
His virtues were not of the meaner kind,
They came from purity and clean desires.
Not lack of passions strong, nor manly fires.
'Twas on a bright and noble summer day,
When fast the winter snow-drifts ebbed away;
The cloudless sky was like a crystal dome,
When Plet and father stood within "Our Home."
All nature blended in one vast, grand hymn
What time their nags came o'er the hollow's rim.
We saw them coming from our perch on high—
How quick the love-light sprang in poor Jo's eye!—
We hastened downward, Jo well on before,
And met them ere they reached the cabin door.
Their nags were hitched beneath a mighty spruce—
One grizzled, storm-worn arm stretched out for use—
And then—Oh! great, indeed, was Plet's delight,
When first she gazed upon the Babel height!
No less the gloom, the aged savageness,
Impressed her fancy than the gorgeous dress,
Brief summer lends to that high altitude
Between the fierce assaults of winter rude.
The solitude upon her senses wrought,
Each novel sight some exclamation brought!
We showed her "Dead Man's Corner," where was found
A hapless miner dead and wrapped around
With the same chilly shroud as on the day,
The ridge he tried—by snow was swept away.
Yet this—although it brought a pretty sigh—
But for a moment put her gay mood by.
The wonders of "Our Home" the girl beguiled
And made her buoyant as a happy child.
Then came a banquet. After that steep ride—
Plet's skill equestrienne none in camp denied—
What better than a tempting dish of fruit,—
So true the wild our mood did try and suit.
The visit to "Our Home" was timely sure,
Those strawberries were fit for epicure.
Among the creviced rocks the plants were spread,
The just ripe berries hanging rich and red;
And these were gathered. At their friendly board,
In every cheer and rich abundance stored,
We often sat. So now we gave our mite,
Their many pleasant favors to requite.
And yet to our desires how poor and mean,
How all inadequate the gift did seem.
And then came out—they seemed to think it sport—
Our two tin plates, it was our only sort.
But Plet's deft fingers quick transition made,
With fresh green leaves in starry pattern laid—
And while she praised the wild fruit's luscious taste
We thought how she our rustic dwelling graced.
The life of the prospector—lonely 'tis!
No venture free from daily hazard his,
But one of steady, hard, and daring toil
He must meet danger, nor from care recoil;
To unforeseen and sudden risks exposed,
No cease from vigil keen his labors knows.
And sudden wealth of all his thoughts the theme,
He works, too, in a sort of waking dream.
Thus the impressions he from nature drew
Results in good and manly impulse true.
Ah! one thing seemed to me exceeding plain—
The sequel showed my fear was not in vain—
That Fate had set for this young pair a trap!
Why, any townish, high-bred, polished chap
Had thought himself in fortune all the while
Could he have shared that day and Plet's sweet smile;
And weighing this—depend upon't 'twas so,—
Think what it was for lonely, honest Jo!
His blue eyes sparkled, one could easy trace
The happy thoughts upon his sunburnt face.
Did it mean joy, or would it bring regret—
Might Jo rue sometimes that he e'er saw Plet?
That he had nobly served them, that is true,
They kept the thought nor gratitude outgrew;
He'd striven hard their lives to save, and still—
No matter how full strong his hope or will,
How rich his manly love might prove or pure—
This fact remained, my Jo was very poor.
What right had he to think of such a mate,
One far above him in this world's estate?
But he was worthy of her, free from blame,
Though Fortune played the lad a niggard game!
In spite of every drawback, this I knew,
And hoped the jade would sometime play him true;
For poor or no poor, I could only feel
The chance was good if she but turned her wheel.
Now there's a picture I can ne'er forget;
After these years I seem to see it yet:
The figures you can guess were Plet and Jo,
With background made of rocks, and lake, and snow;
The girl half leaned upon a granite block,
Her roguish smile my poor Jo seemed to mock,
Part pity, part enjoyment, I believe—
What silly stuff I did in my head weave—
And Jo, in timid and in bashful way—
'Twas like a scene I once saw in a play,
Offered a bunch of flowers. And his face,
As he bent forward, not without grace,
Glowed with confusion and with passion new
As his strong heart and his strong brain were true.
I'd better stop; I grow nonsensical.—
A monster ledge served both for pedestal,
Jo in his earth-stained garments, heavy boot,
Plet in her jaunty hat and riding suit.
Did I admire them so? Why so it seems,
And even an old man has his need of dreams.
A charming picture—so I think, at least,
That couple standing where the wave released
Fell down the mossy rocks in sparkling foam,
The wild flowers growing from the moist, rich loam,
And from the sun and pines mosaic shed
O'er Plet's fair form and Jo's uncovered head.
A landscape setting, beautiful and grand!
The purple epilobiums in Jo's hand—
Frail, tender blossoms, delicate and sweet,
How strange to see them in that wild retreat!—
Were fitting emblems, in their sudden birth,
To soft enwrap and gladden the cold earth,
Of that sweet office a true love fulfils,
Whose wondrous budding all the being thrills—
Of that enchantment grown between those two,
The fond desire their hearts together drew!
V.

fter that day to Jo there came a change,—


Not that I thought the fact so very strange—
For love had come, oh! that was plain to see,
And from the first I felt 'twas a decree.
I knew Jo found a heart that Plet had lost,
And only feared their love might be ill-crossed.
Perhaps the boy was not without his hopes
The eve that Plet returned adown the slopes.
Now he abstracted grew and walked alone,
To fits of silent reverie was prone.
That he had been a talker don't constrain,
Jo never was a glib-tongued rattle-brain.
For hours in silence to his work he'd stick,
Wielding the heavy hammer or the pick;
And I'll confess that I myself kept still.
No time to talk much, holding to the drill.
But at those times that we'd a moment quit,
And pass a word to cheer us up a bit,
I noticed that his speech was but to ask
Concerning work—some detail of our task.
And evenings, too, as moody as a churl
He'd sit and watch his pipe-smoke upward curl.
Sometimes his gaze on vacancy he'd fix,—
And well I knew the young god played his tricks,—
And if I spoke, some thought wished to impart,
'Twas all unheard, or answered with a start.
What all this meant—who could mistake the sign?
'Twas plain to see as three times three are nine.
So at our claim we kept; he worked as though
A wealth must come, whether it would or no.
A new life dwelt within my partner's breast—
If my prayers answered, then 'twas surely blessed—
But in that present 'twas a torture, too.
His question was—what course can I pursue?
Were not his hopes but built upon the sand—
Could one so poor expect to gain Plet's hand?
And constantly this thought his brain did seize—
Had not sweet Plet been used to every ease?
This truth stared out—a common miner he,—
Alas! for him, a rich man's daughter she!
So his dark moods I clearly understood,
Persistent thought that all would end in good.
Pretending not to see, I smoked my pipe,
And thought, I'll live to see the time grow ripe.
In proper time I knew that Jo would speak,
As in the twilight I would watch him seek—
To him I guess 'twas fairest of all bowers—
The spot where he had offered Plet the flowers.
Oft when eve's shadows deepened into nights,
He'll look adown the slopes and watch the lights
That we could see within the distant camp,
Hoping, I knew, to see one special lamp—
Which hope was more than frequent not in vain—
The one that burned behind Plet's window pane.
Yes, he had grown as fond as any dove;
Beyond a doubt, poor Jo was deep in love!
VI.

urrah! hurrah! And true beyond a doubt!


Hurrah! hurrah! Had we not cause to shout?
She turned her wheel, the changeful, fickle witch;
Yes, beyond doubt, we too had "struck it rich!"
The blind lead we had followed many a day,
Suddenly widened to the best of "pay."
'Twas purest carbonates. We had enough,
Thousands were ours in the black, gritty "stuff!"
How did it serve us? You are bound to ask,
How did we take that climax to our task?
'Twas hard to answer. As I said before,
Jo looked at wealth as though he'd force the door.
But when he saw the end so near him lie,
He dazed appeared and heaved a heavy sigh.
Jo seemed as one just woke from sleep, and—well
As though a burden from his shoulders fell.
And unto me it came as a surprise;
We stood and stared with dry and eager eyes.
A pan of dirt we picked and carried where
Our brows could feel a touch of cool, fresh air.
I felt my temples throb, my eyeballs burn,
My blood alternate ice or fire turn;
I well remember how we held our breath,
Talked hushed and low as in a house of death.
And then we shouted—shouted long and loud,
Shouted as though with brazen lungs endowed;
Shouted until each voice was weak and hoarse,
Until the wild bird fluttered in his course;
Shouted until our friends in gray and tan—
Across the rocks the fat ground squirrels ran;
Until, as though he'd like to join the game,
An answering echo from "Old Babel" came.
Nor was that all, I'm half ashamed to tell
The things we did beneath that sudden spell—
For then we danced; yes, danced and danced again,
'Till I from weariness to rest was fain!
Had any seen us they had thought us mad,
And frenzy sure possessed myself and lad,
For I worn out, then Joe he danced alone,
His yellow ringlets to the free winds thrown.
With eyes aglow, all filled with sparkling fire,
He danced as though his limbs would never tire;
In weird fantastic measure and wild tread
He waved the precious dirt around my head;
It seemed one could in his wild antics trace
A likeness to some genie of the place.
A wild delirium o'er our senses came
In which the sunshine looked like silver flame;
The rocks, the flashing wavelets, silver seemed;
Each far-off cloud a silver palace gleamed.
Transmuted all to our excited ken—
Yes, silver, silver; all things silver then!
How suddenly for us the world was changed;
For us who every field of want had ranged,
Who through long months had fought the stubborn rock,
Met summer tempests, borne the winter's shock.
Now the long struggle, the grim fight was o'er,
Privations hard would be our lot no more.
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