14 
THE BED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
They are, in fact, members of the Button household, two 
of them actually signing that name as their own, and the 
third plainly desirous of doing so, were he able. All 
three are in the dining-room at the present moment, and 
the fact of their familiarity with the family is evident from 
the interest with which they listen, with open eyes and 
mouths, to the letter which their master is reading aloud. 
Without further ceremony, allow me to present : Chloe 
(Button), decided brunette, nurse of all the childen suc- 
cessively, maid-of-all-work, and devoted slave to Miss 
Flossie's slightest whim ; Teddy (Button), remotely de- 
scended from County Kildare, red-haired, freckled, four- 
teen years old, errand-boy, helper, and mischief-maker in 
general, particularly attached to the oldest son ; Carlo 
(Button), at the side of pale, sweet-faced little Nat, — a 
shaggy, coal-black, silken-haired fellow, from the south 
coast of Newfoundland, as faithful a servant and friend 
as any in the country. 
And now for the letter. Mr. Button has evidently just 
reached home from the mills, for his hat, coat, and cane 
are lying on the sofa where he has dropped them, and he 
is still out of breath from the quick half-mile walk. All 
eight of the Buttons listen eagerly while he reads : — 
" Fort Wrangel, Alaska Ter., Sept. 5, 1868. 
" My dear Brother, — It is a long time since I have 
written to you. The uncertainty of the mails in this new 
adopted country of ours, the constant disputes with Rus- 
