第8章

Yougetoutofhere!"

Thetravelingmanleft。Rakingthesamplesofcol-

larfastenersoffthecounterintoablackleatherbag，heran。Hewasasmallmanandverybow-leggedandheranawkwardly。Theblackbagcaughtagainstthedoorandhestumbledandfell。"Crazy，that\'swhatheis——crazy!"hesputteredashearosefromthesidewalkandhurriedaway。

InthestoreElmerCowleyandhisfatherstaredateachother。Nowthattheimmediateobjectofhiswrathhadfled，theyoungermanwasembarrassed。

"Well，Imeantit。Ithinkwe\'vebeenqueerlongenough，"hedeclared，goingtotheshowcaseandreplacingtherevolver。Sittingonabarrelhepulledonandfastenedtheshoehehadbeenholdinginhishand。Hewaswaitingforsomewordofunder-

standingfromhisfatherbutwhenEbenezerspokehiswordsonlyservedtoreawakenthewrathinthesonandtheyoungmanranoutofthestorewithoutreplying。Scratchinghisgreybeardwithhislongdirtyfingers，themerchantlookedathissonwiththesamewaveringuncertainstarewithwhichhehadconfrontedthetravelingman。"I\'llbestarched，"

hesaidsoftly。"Well，well，I\'llbewashedandironedandstarched!"

ElmerCowleywentoutofWinesburgandalongacountryroadthatparalleledtherailroadtrack。Hedidnotknowwherehewasgoingorwhathewasgoingtodo。Intheshelterofadeepcutwheretheroad，afterturningsharplytotheright，dippedunderthetrackshestoppedandthepassionthathadbeenthecauseofhisoutburstinthestorebegantoagainfindexpression。"Iwillnotbequeer——onetobelookedatandlistenedto，"hedeclaredaloud。

"I\'llbelikeotherpeople。I\'llshowthatGeorgeWil-

lard。He\'llfindout。I\'llshowhim!"

Thedistraughtyoungmanstoodinthemiddleoftheroadandglaredbackatthetown。HedidnotknowthereporterGeorgeWillardandhadnospe-

cialfeelingconcerningthetallboywhoranabouttowngatheringthetownnews。Thereporterhadmerelycome，byhispresenceintheofficeandintheprintshopoftheWinesburgEagle，tostandforsomethingintheyoungmerchant\'smind。HethoughttheboywhopassedandrepassedCowley&Son\'sstoreandwhostoppedtotalktopeopleinthestreetmustbethinkingofhimandperhapslaughingathim。GeorgeWillard，hefelt，belongedtothetown，typifiedthetown，representedinhispersonthespiritofthetown。ElmerCowleycouldnothavebelievedthatGeorgeWillardhadalsohisdaysofunhappiness，thatvaguehungersandsecretunnam-

abledesiresvisitedalsohismind。Didhenotrepre-

sentpublicopinionandhadnotthepublicopinionofWinesburgcondemnedtheCowleystoqueerness？

DidhenotwalkwhistlingandlaughingthroughMainStreet？Mightnotonebystrikinghispersonstrikealsothegreaterenemy——thethingthatsmiledandwentitsownway——thejudgmentofWinesburg？

ElmerCowleywasextraordinarilytallandhisarmswerelongandpowerful。Hishair，hiseye-

brows，andthedownybeardthathadbeguntogrowuponhischin，werepalealmosttowhiteness。

Histeethprotrudedfrombetweenhislipsandhiseyeswerebluewiththecolorlessbluenessofthemarblescalled"aggies"thattheboysofWinesburgcarriedintheirpockets。ElmerhadlivedinWines-

burgforayearandhadmadenofriends。Hewas，hefelt，onecondemnedtogothroughlifewithoutfriendsandhehatedthethought。

Sullenlythetallyoungmantrampedalongtheroadwithhishandsstuffedintohistrouserpockets。

Thedaywascoldwitharawwind，butpresentlythesunbegantoshineandtheroadbecamesoftandmuddy。ThetopsoftheridgesoffrozenmudthatformedtheroadbegantomeltandthemudclungtoElmer\'sshoes。Hisfeetbecamecold。Whenhehadgoneseveralmilesheturnedofftheroad，crossedafieldandenteredawood。Inthewoodhegatheredstickstobuildafire，bywhichhesattryingtowarmhimself，miserableinbodyandinmind。

Fortwohourshesatonthelogbythefireandthen，arisingandcreepingcautiouslythroughamassofunderbrush，hewenttoafenceandlookedacrossfieldstoasmallfarmhousesurroundedbylowsheds。Asmilecametohislipsandhebeganmakingmotionswithhislongarmstoamanwhowashuskingcorninoneofthefields。

Inhishourofmiserytheyoungmerchanthadreturnedtothefarmwherehehadlivedthroughboyhoodandwheretherewasanotherhumanbeingtowhomhefelthecouldexplainhimself。Themanonthefarmwasahalf-wittedoldfellownamedMook。HehadoncebeenemployedbyEbenezerCowleyandhadstayedonthefarmwhenitwassold。Theoldmanlivedinoneoftheunpaintedshedsbackofthefarmhouseandputteredaboutalldayinthefields。

Mookthehalf-witlivedhappily。Withchildlikefaithhebelievedintheintelligenceoftheanimalsthatlivedintheshedswithhim，andwhenhewaslonelyheldlongconversationswiththecows，thepigs，andevenwiththechickensthatranaboutthebarnyard。Heitwaswhohadputtheexpressionregardingbeing"laundered"intothemouthofhisformeremployer。Whenexcitedorsurprisedbyany-

thinghesmiledvaguelyandmuttered:"I\'llbewashedandironed。Well，well，I\'llbewashedandironedandstarched。"

Whenthehalf-wittedoldmanlefthishuskingofcornandcameintothewoodtomeetElmerCowley，hewasneithersurprisednorespeciallyinterestedinthesuddenappearanceoftheyoungman。Hisfeetalsowerecoldandhesatonthelogbythefire，gratefulforthewarmthandapparentlyindifferenttowhatElmerhadtosay。

Elmertalkedearnestlyandwithgreatfreedom，walkingupanddownandwavinghisarmsabout。

"Youdon\'tunderstandwhat\'sthematterwithmesoofcourseyoudon\'tcare，"hedeclared。"Withmeit\'sdifferent。Lookhowithasalwaysbeenwithme。

Fatherisqueerandmotherwasqueer，too。Eventheclothesmotherusedtowearwerenotlikeotherpeople\'sclothes，andlookatthatcoatinwhichfa-

thergoesaboutthereintown，thinkinghe\'sdressedup，too。Whydon\'thegetanewone？Itwouldn\'tcostmuch。I\'lltellyouwhy。Fatherdoesn\'tknowandwhenmotherwasaliveshedidn\'tknoweither。

Mabelisdifferent。Sheknowsbutshewon\'tsayanything。Iwill，though。I\'mnotgoingtobestaredatanylonger。Whylookhere，Mook，fatherdoesn\'tknowthathisstorethereintownisjustaqueerjumble，thathe\'llneversellthestuffhebuys。Heknowsnothingaboutit。Sometimeshe\'salittlewor-

riedthattradedoesn\'tcomeandthenhegoesandbuyssomethingelse。Intheeveningshesitsbythefireupstairsandsaystradewillcomeafterawhile。

Heisn\'tworried。He\'squeer。Hedoesn\'tknowenoughtobeworried。"

Theexcitedyoungmanbecamemoreexcited。"Hedon\'tknowbutIknow，"heshouted，stoppingtogazedownintothedumb，unresponsivefaceofthehalf-wit。"Iknowtoowell。Ican\'tstandit。Whenwelivedouthereitwasdifferent。IworkedandatnightIwenttobedandslept。Iwasn\'talwaysseeingpeopleandthinkingasIamnow。Intheevening，thereintown，Igotothepostofficeortothedepottoseethetraincomein，andnoonesaysanythingtome。Everyonestandsaroundandlaughsandtheytalkbuttheysaynothingtome。ThenIfeelsoqueerthatIcan\'ttalkeither。Igoaway。Idon\'tsayany-

thing。Ican\'t。"

Thefuryoftheyoungmanbecameuncontrollable。

"Iwon\'tstandit，"heyelled，lookingupatthebarebranchesofthetrees。"I\'mnotmadetostandit。"

Maddenedbythedullfaceofthemanonthelogbythefire，ElmerturnedandglaredathimashehadglaredbackalongtheroadatthetownofWinesburg。"Goonbacktowork，"hescreamed。

"Whatgooddoesitdometotalktoyou？"A

thoughtcametohimandhisvoicedropped。"I\'macowardtoo，eh？"hemuttered。"DoyouknowwhyIcameclearouthereafoot？IhadtotellsomeoneandyouweretheonlyoneIcouldtell。Ihuntedoutanotherqueerone，yousee。Iranaway，that\'swhatI

did。Icouldn\'tstanduptosomeonelikethatGeorgeWillard。Ihadtocometoyou。IoughttotellhimandIwill。"

Againhisvoicearosetoashoutandhisarmsflewabout。"Iwilltellhim。Iwon\'tbequeer。Idon\'tcarewhattheythink。Iwon\'tstandit。"

ElmerCowleyranoutofthewoodsleavingthehalf-witsittingonthelogbeforethefire。Presentlytheoldmanaroseandclimbingoverthefencewentbacktohisworkinthecorn。"I\'llbewashedandironedandstarched，"hedeclared。"Well，well，I\'llbewashedandironed。"Mookwasinterested。Hewentalongalanetoafieldwheretwocowsstoodnibblingatastrawstack。"Elmerwashere，"hesaidtothecows。"Elmeriscrazy。Youbettergetbehindthestackwherehedon\'tseeyou。He\'llhurtsome-

oneyet，Elmerwill。"

Ateighto\'clockthateveningElmerCowleyputhisheadinatthefrontdooroftheofficeoftheWinesburgEaglewhereGeorgeWillardsatwriting。

Hiscapwaspulleddownoverhiseyesandasullendeterminedlookwasonhisface。"Youcomeonout-

sidewithme，"hesaid，steppinginandclosingthedoor。Hekepthishandontheknobasthoughpre-

paredtoresistanyoneelsecomingin。"Youjustcomealongoutside。Iwanttoseeyou。"

GeorgeWillardandElmerCowleywalkedthroughthemainstreetofWinesburg。ThenightwascoldandGeorgeWillardhadonanewovercoatandlookedveryspruceanddressedup。Hethrusthishandsintotheovercoatpocketsandlookedinquir-

inglyathiscompanion。Hehadlongbeenwantingtomakefriendswiththeyoungmerchantandfindoutwhatwasinhismind。Nowhethoughthesawachanceandwasdelighted。"Iwonderwhathe\'supto？Perhapshethinkshehasapieceofnewsforthepaper。Itcan\'tbeafirebecauseIhaven\'theardthefirebellandthereisn\'tanyonerunning，"hethought。

InthemainstreetofWinesburg，onthecoldNo-

vemberevening，butfewcitizensappearedandthesehurriedalongbentongettingtothestoveatthebackofsomestore。ThewindowsofthestoreswerefrostedandthewindrattledthetinsignthathungovertheentrancetothestairwayleadingtoDoctorWelling\'soffice。BeforeHern\'sGroceryabas-

ketofapplesandarackfilledwithnewbroomsstoodonthesidewalk。ElmerCowleystoppedandstoodfacingGeorgeWillard。Hetriedtotalkandhisarmsbegantopumpupanddown。Hisfaceworkedspasmodically。Heseemedabouttoshout。"Oh，yougoonback，"hecried。"Don\'tstayoutherewithme。Iain\'tgotanythingtotellyou。Idon\'twanttoseeyouatall。"

ForthreehoursthedistractedyoungmerchantwanderedthroughtheresidentstreetsofWinesburgblindwithanger，broughtonbyhisfailuretodeclarehisdeterminationnottobequeer。Bitterlythesenseofdefeatsettleduponhimandhewantedtoweep。

Afterthehoursoffutilesputteringatnothingnessthathadoccupiedtheafternoonandhisfailureinthepresenceoftheyoungreporter，hethoughthecouldseenohopeofafutureforhimself。

Andthenanewideadawnedforhim。Inthedark-

nessthatsurroundedhimhebegantoseealight。

Goingtothenowdarkenedstore，whereCowley&

Sonhadforoverayearwaitedvainlyfortradetocome，hecreptstealthilyinandfeltaboutinabarrelthatstoodbythestoveattherear。InthebarrelbeneathshavingslayatinboxcontainingCowley&

Son\'scash。EveryeveningEbenezerCowleyputtheboxinthebarrelwhenheclosedthestoreandwentupstairstobed。"Theywouldn\'tneverthinkofacarelessplacelikethat，"hetoldhimself，thinkingofrobbers。

Elmertooktwentydollars，twoten-dollarbills，fromthelittlerollcontainingperhapsfourhundreddollars，thecashleftfromthesaleofthefarm。Thenreplacingtheboxbeneaththeshavingshewentqui-

etlyoutatthefrontdoorandwalkedagaininthestreets。

Theideathathethoughtmightputanendtoallofhisunhappinesswasverysimple。"Iwillgetoutofhere，runawayfromhome，"hetoldhimself。HeknewthatalocalfreighttrainpassedthroughWinesburgatmidnightandwentontoCleveland，whereitarrivedatdawn。HewouldstealarideonthelocalandwhenhegottoClevelandwouldlosehimselfinthecrowdsthere。Hewouldgetworkinsomeshopandbecomefriendswiththeotherworkmenandwouldbeindistinguishable。Thenhecouldtalkandlaugh。Hewouldnolongerbequeerandwouldmakefriends。Lifewouldbegintohavewarmthandmeaningforhimasithadforothers。

Thetallawkwardyoungman，stridingthroughthestreets，laughedathimselfbecausehehadbeenangryandhadbeenhalfafraidofGeorgeWillard。

Hedecidedhewouldhavehistalkwiththeyoungreporterbeforehelefttown，thathewouldtellhimaboutthings，perhapschallengehim，challengeallofWinesburgthroughhim。

AglowwithnewconfidenceElmerwenttotheofficeoftheNewWillardHouseandpoundedonthedoor。Asleep-eyedboysleptonacotintheoffice。Hereceivednosalarybutwasfedatthehoteltableandborewithpridethetitleof"nightclerk。"

BeforetheboyElmerwasbold，insistent。"You\'wakehimup，"hecommanded。"Youtellhimtocomedownbythedepot。IgottoseehimandI\'mgoingawayonthelocal。Tellhimtodressandcomeondown。Iain\'tgotmuchtime。"

ThemidnightlocalhadfinisheditsworkinWines-

burgandthetrainsmenwerecouplingcars，swing-

inglanternsandpreparingtoresumetheirflighteast。GeorgeWillard，rubbinghiseyesandagainwearingthenewovercoat，randowntothestationplatformafirewithcuriosity。"Well，hereIam。Whatdoyouwant？You\'vegotsomethingtotellme，eh？"

hesaid。

Elmertriedtoexplain。Hewethislipswithhistongueandlookedatthetrainthathadbeguntogroanandgetunderway。"Well，yousee，"hebegan，andthenlostcontrolofhistongue。"I\'llbewashedandironed。I\'llbewashedandironedandstarched，"hemutteredhalfincoherently。

ElmerCowleydancedwithfurybesidethegroan-

ingtraininthedarknessonthestationplatform。

Lightsleapedintotheairandbobbedupanddownbeforehiseyes。Takingthetwoten-dollarbillsfromhispockethethrustthemintoGeorgeWillard\'shand。"Takethem，"hecried。"Idon\'twantthem。

Givethemtofather。Istolethem。"Withasnarlofrageheturnedandhislongarmsbegantoflaytheair。Likeonestrugglingforreleasefromhandsthatheldhimhestruckout，hittingGeorgeWillardblowafterblowonthebreast，theneck，themouth。Theyoungreporterrolledoverontheplatformhalfun-

conscious，stunnedbytheterrificforceoftheblows。

Springingaboardthepassingtrainandrunningoverthetopsofcars，Elmersprangdowntoaflatcarandlyingonhisfacelookedback，tryingtoseethefallenmaninthedarkness。Pridesurgedupinhim。"I

showedhim，"hecried。"IguessIshowedhim。I

ain\'tsoqueer。IguessIshowedhimIain\'tsoqueer。"

THEUNTOLDLIE

RAYPEARSONandHalWinterswerefarmhandsem-

ployedonafarmthreemilesnorthofWinesburg。

OnSaturdayafternoonstheycameintotownandwanderedaboutthroughthestreetswithotherfel-

lowsfromthecountry。

Raywasaquiet，rathernervousmanofperhapsfiftywithabrownbeardandshouldersroundedbytoomuchandtoohardlabor。InhisnaturehewasasunlikeHalWintersastwomencanbeunlike。

Raywasanaltogetherseriousmanandhadalittlesharp-featuredwifewhohadalsoasharpvoice。Thetwo，withhalfadozenthin-leggedchildren，livedinatumble-downframehousebesideacreekatthebackendoftheWillsfarmwhereRaywasemployed。

HalWinters，hisfellowemployee，wasayoungfellow。HewasnotoftheNedWintersfamily，whowereveryrespectablepeopleinWinesburg，butwasoneofthethreesonsoftheoldmancalledWind-

peterWinterswhohadasawmillnearUnionville，sixmilesaway，andwhowaslookeduponbyevery-

oneinWinesburgasaconfirmedoldreprobate。

PeoplefromthepartofNorthernOhioinwhichWinesburglieswillrememberoldWindpeterbyhisunusualandtragicdeath。HegotdrunkoneeveningintownandstartedtodrivehometoUnionvillealongtherailroadtracks。HenryBrattenburg，thebutcher，wholivedoutthatway，stoppedhimattheedgeofthetownandtoldhimhewassuretomeetthedowntrainbutWindpeterslashedathimwithhiswhipanddroveon。Whenthetrainstruckandkilledhimandhistwohorsesafarmerandhiswifewhoweredrivinghomealonganearbyroadsawtheaccident。TheysaidthatoldWindpeterstoodupontheseatofhiswagon，ravingandswearingattheonrushinglocomotive，andthathefairlyscreamedwithdelightwhentheteam，maddenedbyhisinces-

santslashingatthem，rushedstraightaheadtocer-

taindeath。BoyslikeyoungGeorgeWillardandSethRichmondwillremembertheincidentquitevividlybecause，althougheveryoneinourtownsaidthattheoldmanwouldgostraighttohellandthatthecommunitywasbetteroffwithouthim，theyhadasecretconvictionthatheknewwhathewasdoingandadmiredhisfoolishcourage。Mostboyshaveseasonsofwishingtheycoulddiegloriouslyinsteadofjustbeinggroceryclerksandgoingonwiththeirhumdrumlives。

ButthisisnotthestoryofWindpeterWintersnoryetofhissonHalwhoworkedontheWillsfarmwithRayPearson。ItisRay\'sstory。Itwill，however，benecessarytotalkalittleofyoungHalsothatyouwillgetintothespiritofit。

Halwasabadone。Everyonesaidthat。TherewerethreeoftheWintersboysinthatfamily，John，Hal，andEdward，allbroad-shoulderedbigfellowslikeoldWindpeterhimselfandallfightersandwoman-chasersandgenerallyall-aroundbadones。

Halwastheworstofthelotandalwaysuptosomedevilment。Heoncestolealoadofboardsfromhisfather\'smillandsoldtheminWinesburg。Withthemoneyheboughthimselfasuitofcheap，flashyclothes。Thenhegotdrunkandwhenhisfathercameravingintotowntofindhim，theymetandfoughtwiththeirfistsonMainStreetandwerear-

restedandputintojailtogether。

HalwenttoworkontheWillsfarmbecausetherewasacountryschoolteacheroutthatwaywhohadtakenhisfancy。Hewasonlytwenty-twothenbuthadalreadybeenintwoorthreeofwhatwerespo-

kenofinWinesburgas"womenscrapes。"Everyonewhoheardofhisinfatuationfortheschoolteacherwassureitwouldturnoutbadly。"He\'llonlygetherintotrouble，you\'llsee，"wasthewordthatwentaround。

Andsothesetwomen，RayandHal，wereatworkinafieldonadayinthelateOctober。Theywerehuskingcornandoccasionallysomethingwassaidandtheylaughed。Thencamesilence。Ray，whowasthemoresensitiveandalwaysmindedthingsmore，hadchappedhandsandtheyhurt。Heputthemintohiscoatpocketsandlookedawayacrossthefields。

Hewasinasad，distractedmoodandwasaffectedbythebeautyofthecountry。IfyouknewtheWinesburgcountryinthefallandhowthelowhillsareallsplashedwithyellowsandredsyouwouldunderstandhisfeeling。Hebegantothinkofthetime，longagowhenhewasayoungfellowlivingwithhisfather，thenabakerinWinesburg，andhowonsuchdayshehadwanderedawayintothewoodstogathernuts，huntrabbits，orjusttoloafaboutandsmokehispipe。Hismarriagehadcomeaboutthroughoneofhisdaysofwandering。Hehadin-

ducedagirlwhowaitedontradeinhisfather\'sshoptogowithhimandsomethinghadhappened。Hewasthinkingofthatafternoonandhowithadaf-

fectedhiswholelifewhenaspiritofprotestawokeinhim。HehadforgottenaboutHalandmutteredwords。"TrickedbyGad，that\'swhatIwas，trickedbylifeandmadeafoolof，"hesaidinalowvoice。

Asthoughunderstandinghisthoughts，HalWin-

tersspokeup。"Well，hasitbeenworthwhile？Whataboutit，eh？Whataboutmarriageandallthat？"heaskedandthenlaughed。Haltriedtokeeponlaugh-

ingbuthetoowasinanearnestmood。Hebegantotalkearnestly。"Hasafellowgottodoit？"heasked。"Hashegottobeharnessedupanddriventhroughlifelikeahorse？"

Haldidn\'twaitforananswerbutsprangtohisfeetandbegantowalkbackandforthbetweenthecornshocks。Hewasgettingmoreandmoreexcited。

Bendingdownsuddenlyhepickedupanearoftheyellowcornandthrewitatthefence。"I\'vegotNellGuntherintrouble，"hesaid。"I\'mtellingyou，butyoukeepyourmouthshut。"

RayPearsonaroseandstoodstaring。Hewasal-

mostafootshorterthanHal，andwhentheyoungermancameandputhistwohandsontheolderman\'sshoulderstheymadeapicture。Theretheystoodinthebigemptyfieldwiththequietcornshocksstand-

inginrowsbehindthemandtheredandyellowhillsinthedistance，andfrombeingjusttwoindif-

ferentworkmentheyhadbecomeallalivetoeachother。Halsenseditandbecausethatwashiswayhelaughed。"Well，olddaddy，"hesaidawkwardly，"comeon，adviseme。I\'vegotNellintrouble。Per-

hapsyou\'vebeeninthesamefixyourself。Iknowwhateveryonewouldsayistherightthingtodo，butwhatdoyousay？ShallImarryandsettledown？

ShallIputmyselfintotheharnesstobewornoutlikeanoldhorse？Youknowme，Ray。Therecan\'tanyonebreakmebutIcanbreakmyself。ShallIdoitorshallItellNelltogotothedevil？Comeon，youtellme。Whateveryousay，Ray，I\'lldo。"

Raycouldn\'tanswer。HeshookHal\'shandslooseandturningwalkedstraightawaytowardthebarn。

Hewasasensitivemanandthereweretearsinhiseyes。HeknewtherewasonlyonethingtosaytoHalWinters，sonofoldWindpeterWinters，onlyonethingthatallhisowntrainingandallthebeliefsofthepeopleheknewwouldapprove，butforhislifehecouldn\'tsaywhatheknewheshouldsay。

Athalf-pastfourthatafternoonRaywasputteringaboutthebarnyardwhenhiswifecameupthelanealongthecreekandcalledhim。AfterthetalkwithHalhehadn\'treturnedtothecornfieldbutworkedaboutthebarn。HehadalreadydonetheeveningchoresandhadseenHal，dressedandreadyforaroisteringnightintown，comeoutofthefarmhouseandgointotheroad。Alongthepathtohisownhousehetrudgedbehindhiswife，lookingatthegroundandthinking。Hecouldn\'tmakeoutwhatwaswrong。Everytimeheraisedhiseyesandsawthebeautyofthecountryinthefailinglighthewantedtodosomethinghehadneverdonebefore，shoutorscreamorhithiswifewithhisfistsorsomethingequallyunexpectedandterrifying。Alongthepathhewentscratchinghisheadandtryingtomakeitout。Helookedhardathiswife\'sbackbutsheseemedallright。

Sheonlywantedhimtogointotownforgroceriesandassoonasshehadtoldhimwhatshewantedbegantoscold。"You\'realwaysputtering，"shesaid。

"NowIwantyoutohustle。Thereisn\'tanythinginthehouseforsupperandyou\'vegottogettotownandbackinahurry。"

Raywentintohisownhouseandtookanovercoatfromahookbackofthedoor。Itwastornaboutthepocketsandthecollarwasshiny。Hiswifewentintothebedroomandpresentlycameoutwithasoiledclothinonehandandthreesilverdollarsintheother。Somewhereinthehouseachildweptbitterlyandadogthathadbeensleepingbythestovearoseandyawned。Againthewifescolded。"Thechildrenwillcryandcry。Whyareyoualwaysputtering？"

sheasked。

Raywentoutofthehouseandclimbedthefenceintoafield。Itwasjustgrowingdarkandthescenethatlaybeforehimwaslovely。Allthelowhillswerewashedwithcolorandeventhelittleclustersofbushesinthecornersofthefenceswerealivewithbeauty。ThewholeworldseemedtoRayPearsontohavebecomealivewithsomethingjustasheandHalhadsuddenlybecomealivewhentheystoodinthecornfieldstatingintoeachother\'seyes。

ThebeautyofthecountryaboutWinesburgwastoomuchforRayonthatfallevening。Thatisalltherewastoit。Hecouldnotstandit。Ofasuddenheforgotallaboutbeingaquietoldfarmhandandthrowingoffthetornovercoatbegantorunacrossthefield。Asheranheshoutedaprotestagainsthislife，againstalllife，againsteverythingthatmakeslifeugly。"Therewasnopromisemade，"hecriedintotheemptyspacesthatlayabouthim。"Ididn\'tpromisemyMinnieanythingandHalhasn\'tmadeanypromisetoNell。Iknowhehasn\'t。Shewentintothewoodswithhimbecauseshewantedtogo。

Whathewantedshewanted。WhyshouldIpay？

WhyshouldHalpay？Whyshouldanyonepay？I

don\'twantHaltobecomeoldandwornout。I\'lltellhim。Iwon\'tletitgoon。I\'llcatchHalbeforehegetstotownandI\'lltellhim。"

Rayranclumsilyandoncehestumbledandfelldown。"ImustcatchHalandtellhim，"hekeptthinking，andalthoughhisbreathcameingaspshekeptrunningharderandharder。Asheranhethoughtofthingsthathadn\'tcomeintohismindforyears——howatthetimehemarriedhehadplannedtogowesttohisuncleinPortland，Oregon——howhehadn\'twantedtobeafarmhand，buthadthoughtwhenhegotoutWesthewouldgotoseaandbeasailororgetajobonaranchandrideahorseintoWesterntowns，shoutingandlaughingandwakingthepeopleinthehouseswithhiswildcries。Thenasheranherememberedhischildrenandinfancyfelttheirhandsclutchingathim。AllofhisthoughtsofhimselfwereinvolvedwiththethoughtsofHalandhethoughtthechildrenwereclutchingattheyoungermanalso。"Theyaretheaccidentsoflife，Hal，"hecried。"Theyarenotmineoryours。Ihadnothingtodowiththem。"

DarknessbegantospreadoverthefieldsasRayPearsonranonandon。Hisbreathcameinlittlesobs。WhenhecametothefenceattheedgeoftheroadandconfrontedHalWinters，alldressedupandsmokingapipeashewalkedjauntilyalong，hecouldnothavetoldwhathethoughtorwhathewanted。

RayPearsonlosthisnerveandthisisreallytheendofthestoryofwhathappenedtohim。Itwasalmostdarkwhenhegottothefenceandheputhishandsonthetopbarandstoodstaring。HalWintersjumpedaditchandcomingupclosetoRayputhishandsintohispocketsandlaughed。HeseemedtohavelosthisownsenseofwhathadhappenedinthecornfieldandwhenheputupastronghandandtookholdofthelapelofRay\'scoatheshooktheoldmanashemighthaveshakenadogthathadmisbehaved。

"Youcametotellme，eh？"hesaid。"Well，nevermindtellingmeanything。I\'mnotacowardandI\'vealreadymadeupmymind。"Helaughedagainandjumpedbackacrosstheditch。"Nellain\'tnofool，"

hesaid。"Shedidn\'taskmetomarryher。Iwanttomarryher。Iwanttosettledownandhavekids。"

RayPearsonalsolaughed。Hefeltlikelaughingathimselfandalltheworld。

AstheformofHalWintersdisappearedintheduskthatlayovertheroadthatledtoWinesburg，heturnedandwalkedslowlybackacrossthefieldstowherehehadlefthistornovercoat。Ashewentsomememoryofpleasanteveningsspentwiththethin-leggedchildreninthetumble-downhousebythecreekmusthavecomeintohismind，forhemut-

teredwords。"It\'sjustaswell。WhateverItoldhimwouldhavebeenalie，"hesaidsoftly，andthenhisformalsodisappearedintothedarknessofthefields。

DRINK

TOMFOSTERcametoWinesburgfromCincinnatiwhenhewasstillyoungandcouldgetmanynewimpressions。HisgrandmotherhadbeenraisedonafarmnearthetownandasayounggirlhadgonetoschooltherewhenWinesburgwasavillageoftwelveorfifteenhousesclusteredaboutageneralstoreontheTrunionPike。

Whatalifetheoldwomanhadledsinceshewentawayfromthefrontiersettlementandwhatastrong，capablelittleoldthingshewas!ShehadbeeninKansas，inCanada，andinNewYorkCity，travelingaboutwithherhusband，amechanic，be-

forehedied。Latershewenttostaywithherdaughter，whohadalsomarriedamechanicandlivedinCovington，Kentucky，acrosstheriverfromCincinnati。

ThenbeganthehardyearsforTomFoster\'sgrandmother。Firstherson-in-lawwaskilledbyapolicemanduringastrikeandthenTom\'smotherbecameaninvalidanddiedalso。Thegrandmotherhadsavedalittlemoney，butitwassweptawaybytheillnessofthedaughterandbythecostofthetwofunerals。Shebecameahalfworn-outoldwomanworkerandlivedwiththegrandsonaboveajunkshoponasidestreetinCincinnati。Forfiveyearsshescrubbedthefloorsinanofficebuildingandthengotaplaceasdishwasherinarestaurant。

Herhandswerealltwistedoutofshape。Whenshetookholdofamoporabroomhandlethehandslookedlikethedriedstemsofanoldcreepingvineclingingtoatree。

TheoldwomancamebacktoWinesburgassoonasshegotthechance。Oneeveningasshewascom-

inghomefromworkshefoundapocket-bookcon-

tainingthirty-sevendollars，andthatopenedtheway。Thetripwasagreatadventurefortheboy。Itwaspastseveno\'clockatnightwhenthegrand-

mothercamehomewiththepocket-bookheldtightlyinheroldhandsandshewassoexcitedshecouldscarcelyspeak。SheinsistedonleavingCincinnatithatnight，sayingthatiftheystayeduntilmorningtheownerofthemoneywouldbesuretofindthemoutandmaketrouble。Tom，whowasthensixteenyearsold，hadtogotrudgingofftothestationwiththeoldwoman，bearingalloftheirearthlybelong-

ingsdoneupinaworn-outblanketandslungacrosshisback。Byhissidewalkedthegrandmotherurginghimforward。Hertoothlessoldmouthtwitchedner-

vously，andwhenTomgrewwearyandwantedtoputthepackdownatastreetcrossing，shesnatcheditupandifhehadnotpreventedwouldhaveslungitacrossherownback。Whentheygotintothetrainandithadrunoutofthecityshewasasdelightedasagirlandtalkedastheboyhadneverheardhertalkbefore。

Allthroughthenightasthetrainrattledalong，thegrandmothertoldTomtalesofWinesburgandofhowhewouldenjoyhislifeworkinginthefieldsandshootingwildthingsinthewoodsthere。Shecouldnotbelievethatthetinyvillageoffiftyyearsbeforehadgrownintoathrivingtowninherab-

sence，andinthemorningwhenthetraincametoWinesburgdidnotwanttogetoff。"Itisn\'twhatI

thought。Itmaybehardforyouhere，"shesaid，andthenthetrainwentonitswayandthetwostoodconfused，notknowingwheretoturn，inthepres-

enceofAlbertLongworth，theWinesburgbaggagemaster。

ButTomFosterdidgetalongallright。Hewasonetogetalonganywhere。Mrs。White，thebanker\'swife，employedhisgrandmothertoworkinthekitchenandhegotaplaceasstableboyinthebank-

er\'snewbrickbarn。

InWinesburgservantswerehardtoget。Thewomanwhowantedhelpinherhouseworkem-

ployeda"hiredgirl"whoinsistedonsittingatthetablewiththefamily。Mrs。Whitewassickofhiredgirlsandsnatchedatthechancetogetholdoftheoldcitywoman。ShefurnishedaroomfortheboyTomupstairsinthebarn。"Hecanmowthelawnandrunerrandswhenthehorsesdonotneedatten-

tion，"sheexplainedtoherhusband。

TomFosterwasrathersmallforhisageandhadalargeheadcoveredwithstiffblackhairthatstoodstraightup。Thehairemphasizedthebignessofhishead。Hisvoicewasthesoftestthingimaginable，andhewashimselfsogentleandquietthatheslippedintothelifeofthetownwithoutattractingtheleastbitofattention。

OnecouldnothelpwonderingwhereTomFostergothisgentleness。InCincinnatihehadlivedinaneighborhoodwheregangsoftoughboysprowledthroughthestreets，andallthroughhisearlyforma-

tiveyearsheranaboutwithtoughboys。Forawhilehewasamessengerforatelegraphcompanyanddeliveredmessagesinaneighborhoodsprinkledwithhousesofprostitution。ThewomeninthehousesknewandlovedTomFosterandthetoughboysinthegangslovedhimalso。

Heneverassertedhimself。Thatwasonethingthathelpedhimescape。Inanoddwayhestoodintheshadowofthewalloflife，wasmeanttostandintheshadow。Hesawthemenandwomeninthehousesoflust，sensedtheircasualandhorribleloveaffairs，sawboysfightingandlistenedtotheirtalesofthievinganddrunkenness，unmovedandstrangelyunaffected。

OnceTomdidsteal。Thatwaswhilehestilllivedinthecity。Thegrandmotherwasillatthetimeandhehimselfwasoutofwork。Therewasnothingtoeatinthehouse，andsohewentintoaharnessshoponasidestreetandstoleadollarandseventy-fivecentsoutofthecashdrawer。

Theharnessshopwasrunbyanoldmanwithalongmustache。Hesawtheboylurkingaboutandthoughtnothingofit。WhenhewentoutintothestreettotalktoateamsterTomopenedthecashdrawerandtakingthemoneywalkedaway。Laterhewascaughtandhisgrandmothersettledthemat-

terbyofferingtocometwiceaweekforamonthandscrubtheshop。Theboywasashamed，buthewasratherglad，too。"Itisallrighttobeashamedandmakesmeunderstandnewthings，"hesaidtothegrandmother，whodidn\'tknowwhattheboywastalkingaboutbutlovedhimsomuchthatitdidn\'tmatterwhethersheunderstoodornot。

ForayearTomFosterlivedinthebanker\'sstableandthenlosthisplacethere。Hedidn\'ttakeverygoodcareofthehorsesandhewasaconstantsourceofirritationtothebanker\'swife。Shetoldhimtomowthelawnandheforgot。Thenshesenthimtothestoreortothepostofficeandhedidnotcomebackbutjoinedagroupofmenandboysandspentthewholeafternoonwiththem，standingabout，lis-

teningandoccasionally，whenaddressed，sayingafewwords。Asinthecityinthehousesofprostitu-

tionandwiththerowdyboysrunningthroughthestreetsatnight，soinWinesburgamongitscitizenshehadalwaysthepowertobeapartofandyetdistinctlyapartfromthelifeabouthim。

AfterTomlosthisplaceatBankerWhite\'shedidnotlivewithhisgrandmother，althoughoftenintheeveningshecametovisithim。HerentedaroomattherearofalittleframebuildingbelongingtooldRufusWhiting。ThebuildingwasonDuaneStreet，justoffMainStreet，andhadbeenusedforyearsasalawofficebytheoldman，whohadbecometoofeebleandforgetfulforthepracticeofhisprofessionbutdidnotrealizehisinefficiency。HelikedTomandlethimhavetheroomforadollaramonth。Inthelateafternoonwhenthelawyerhadgonehometheboyhadtheplacetohimselfandspenthourslyingonthefloorbythestoveandthinkingofthings。Intheeveningthegrandmothercameandsatinthelawyer\'schairtosmokeapipewhileTomremainedsilent，ashealways，didinthepresenceofeveryone。

Oftentheoldwomantalkedwithgreatvigor。

Sometimesshewasangryaboutsomehappeningatthebanker\'shouseandscoldedawayforhours。Outofherownearningssheboughtamopandregularlyscrubbedthelawyer\'soffice。ThenwhentheplacewasspotlesslycleanandsmelledcleanshelightedherclaypipeandsheandTomhadasmoketo-

gether。"WhenyougetreadytodiethenIwilldiealso，"shesaidtotheboylyingonthefloorbesideherchair。

TomFosterenjoyedlifeinWinesburg。Hedidoddjobs，suchascuttingwoodforkitchenstovesandmowingthegrassbeforehouses。InlateMayandearlyJunehepickedstrawberriesinthefields。Hehadtimetoloafandheenjoyedloafing。BankerWhitehadgivenhimacast-offcoatwhichwastoolargeforhim，buthisgrandmothercutitdown，andhehadalsoanovercoat，gotatthesameplace，thatwaslinedwithfur。Thefurwaswornawayinspots，butthecoatwaswarmandinthewinterTomsleptinit。HethoughthismethodofgettingalonggoodenoughandwashappyandsatisfiedwiththewayfifeinWinesburghadturnedoutforhim。

ThemostabsurdlittlethingsmadeTomFosterhappy。That，Isuppose，waswhypeoplelovedhim。

InHern\'sGrocerytheywouldberoastingcoffeeonFridayafternoon，preparatorytotheSaturdayrushoftrade，andtherichodorinvadedlowerMainStreet。TomFosterappearedandsatonaboxattherearofthestore。Foranhourhedidnotmovebutsatperfectlystill，fillinghisbeingwiththespicyodorthatmadehimhalfdrunkwithhappiness。"I

likeit，"hesaidgently。"Itmakesmethinkofthingsfaraway，placesandthingslikethat。"

OnenightTomFostergotdrunk。Thatcameaboutinacuriousway。Heneverhadbeendrunkbefore，andindeedinallhisfifehadnevertakenadrinkofanythingintoxicating，buthefeltheneededtobedrunkthatonetimeandsowentanddidit。

InCincinnati，whenhelivedthere，Tomhadfoundoutmanythings，thingsaboutuglinessandcrimeandlust。Indeed，heknewmoreofthesethingsthananyoneelseinWinesburg。Thematterofsexinparticularhadpresenteditselftohiminaquitehorriblewayandhadmadeadeepimpressiononhismind。Hethought，afterwhathehadseenofthewomenstandingbeforethesqualidhousesoncoldnightsandthelookhehadseenintheeyesofthemenwhostoppedtotalktothem，thathewouldputsexaltogetheroutofhisownlife。Oneofthewomenoftheneighborhoodtemptedhimonceandhewentintoaroomwithher。Heneverforgotthesmelloftheroomnorthegreedylookthatcameintotheeyesofthewoman。Itsickenedhimandinaveryterriblewayleftascaronhissoul。Hehadalwaysbeforethoughtofwomenasquiteinnocentthings，muchlikehisgrandmother，butafterthatoneexperienceintheroomhedismissedwomenfromhismind。Sogentlewashisnaturethathecouldnothateanythingandnotbeingabletounder-

standhedecidedtoforget。

AndTomdidforgetuntilhecametoWinesburg。

Afterhehadlivedtherefortwoyearssomethingbegantostirinhim。Onallsideshesawyouthmak-

ingloveandhewashimselfayouth。Beforeheknewwhathadhappenedhewasinlovealso。HefellinlovewithHelenWhite，daughterofthemanforwhomhehadworked，andfoundhimselfthink-

ingofheratnight。

ThatwasaproblemforTomandhesettleditinhisownway。HelethimselfthinkofHelenWhitewheneverherfigurecameintohismindandonlyconcernedhimselfwiththemannerofhisthoughts。

Hehadafight，aquietdeterminedlittlefightofhisown，tokeephisdesiresinthechannelwherehethoughttheybelonged，butonthewholehewasvictorious。

Andthencamethespringnightwhenhegotdrunk。Tomwaswildonthatnight。Hewaslikeaninnocentyoungbuckoftheforestthathaseatenofsomemaddeningweed。Thethingbegan，ranitscourse，andwasendedinonenight，andyoumaybesurethatnooneinWinesburgwasanytheworseforTom\'soutbreak。

Inthefirstplace，thenightwasonetomakeasensitivenaturedrunk。Thetreesalongtheresi-

dencestreetsofthetownwereallnewlyclothedinsoftgreenleaves，inthegardensbehindthehousesmenwereputteringaboutinvegetablegardens，andintheairtherewasahush，awaitingkindofsilenceverystirringtotheblood。

TomlefthisroomonDuaneStreetjustastheyoungnightbegantomakeitselffelt。Firsthewalkedthroughthestreets，goingsoftlyandquietlyalong，thinkingthoughtsthathetriedtoputintowords。HesaidthatHelenWhitewasaflamedanc-

ingintheairandthathewasalittletreewithoutleavesstandingoutsharplyagainstthesky。Thenhesaidthatshewasawind，astrongterriblewind，comingoutofthedarknessofastormyseaandthathewasaboatleftontheshoreoftheseabyafisherman。

Thatideapleasedtheboyandhesaunteredalongplayingwithit。HewentintoMainStreetandsatonthecurbingbeforeWacker\'stobaccostore。Foranhourhelingeredaboutlisteningtothetalkofmen，butitdidnotinteresthimmuchandheslippedaway。ThenhedecidedtogetdrunkandwentintoWilly\'ssaloonandboughtabottleofwhiskey。Put-

tingthebottleintohispocket，hewalkedoutoftown，wantingtobealonetothinkmorethoughtsandtodrinkthewhiskey。

Tomgotdrunksittingonabankofnewgrassbesidetheroadaboutamilenorthoftown。Beforehimwasawhiteroadandathisbackanappleor-

chardinfullbloom。Hetookadrinkoutofthebottleandthenlaydownonthegrass。HethoughtofmorningsinWinesburgandofhowthestonesinthegraveleddrivewaybyBankerWhite\'shousewerewetwithdewandglistenedinthemorninglight。Hethoughtofthenightsinthebarnwhenitrainedandhelayawakehearingthedrummingoftheraindropsandsmellingthewarmsmellofhorsesandofhay。ThenhethoughtofastormthathadgoneroaringthroughWinesburgseveraldaysbeforeand，hismindgoingback，herelivedthenighthehadspentonthetrainwithhisgrandmotherwhenthetwowerecomingfromCincinnati。Sharplyherememberedhowstrangeithadseemedtositqui-

etlyinthecoachandtofeelthepoweroftheenginehurlingthetrainalongthroughthenight。

Tomgotdrunkinaveryshorttime。Hekepttak-

ingdrinksfromthebottleasthethoughtsvisitedhimandwhenhisheadbegantoreelgotupandwalkedalongtheroadgoingawayfromWinesburg。

TherewasabridgeontheroadthatranoutofWinesburgnorthtoLakeErieandthedrunkenboymadehiswayalongtheroadtothebridge。Therehesatdown。Hetriedtodrinkagain，butwhenhehadtakenthecorkoutofthebottlehebecameillandputitquicklyback。Hisheadwasrockingbackandforthandsohesatonthestoneapproachtothebridgeandsighed。Hisheadseemedtobeflyingaboutlikeapinwheelandthenprojectingitselfoffintospaceandhisarmsandlegsfloppedhelplesslyabout。

Ateleveno\'clockTomgotbackintotown。GeorgeWillardfoundhimwanderingaboutandtookhimintotheEagleprintshop。Thenhebecameafraidthatthedrunkenboywouldmakeamessonthefloorandhelpedhimintothealleyway。

ThereporterwasconfusedbyTomFoster。ThedrunkenboytalkedofHelenWhiteandsaidhehadbeenwithherontheshoreofaseaandhadmadelovetoher。GeorgehadseenHelenWhitewalkinginthestreetwithherfatherduringtheeveninganddecidedthatTomwasoutofhishead。AsentimentconcerningHelenWhitethatlurkedinhisownheartflamedupandhebecameangry。"Nowyouquitthat，"hesaid。"Iwon\'tletHelenWhite\'snamebedraggedintothis。Iwon\'tletthathappen。"HebeganshakingTom\'sshoulder，tryingtomakehimunderstand。"Youquitit，"hesaidagain。

Forthreehoursthetwoyoungmen，thusstrangelythrowntogether，stayedintheprintshop。WhenhehadalittlerecoveredGeorgetookTomforawalk。

Theywentintothecountryandsatonalogneartheedgeofawood。Somethinginthestillnightdrewthemtogetherandwhenthedrunkenboy\'sheadbegantocleartheytalked。

"Itwasgoodtobedrunk，"TomFostersaid。"Ittaughtmesomething。Iwon\'thavetodoitagain。I

willthinkmoredearlyafterthis。Youseehowitis。"

GeorgeWillarddidnotsee，buthisangerconcern-

ingHelenWhitepassedandhefeltdrawntowardthepale，shakenboyashehadneverbeforebeendrawntowardanyone。Withmotherlysolicitude，heinsistedthatTomgettohisfeetandwalkabout。

Againtheywentbacktotheprintshopandsatinsilenceinthedarkness。

ThereportercouldnotgetthepurposeofTomFoster\'sactionstraightenedoutinhismind。WhenTomspokeagainofHelenWhiteheagaingrewangryandbegantoscold。"Youquitthat，"hesaidsharply。"Youhaven\'tbeenwithher。Whatmakesyousayyouhave？Whatmakesyoukeepsayingsuchthings？Nowyouquitit，doyouhear？"

Tomwashurt。Hecouldn\'tquarrelwithGeorgeWillardbecausehewasincapableofquarreling，sohegotuptogoaway。WhenGeorgeWillardwasinsistentheputouthishand，layingitontheolderboy\'sarm，andtriedtoexplain。

"Well，"hesaidsoftly，"Idon\'tknowhowitwas。

Iwashappy。Youseehowthatwas。HelenWhitemademehappyandthenightdidtoo。Iwantedtosuffer，tobehurtsomehow。IthoughtthatwaswhatIshoulddo。Iwantedtosuffer，yousee，becauseeveryonesuffersanddoeswrong。Ithoughtofalotofthingstodo，buttheywouldn\'twork。Theyallhurtsomeoneelse。"

TomFoster\'svoicearose，andforonceinhislifehebecamealmostexcited。"Itwaslikemakinglove，that\'swhatImean，"heexplained。"Don\'tyouseehowitis？IthurtmetodowhatIdidandmadeeverythingstrange。That\'swhyIdidit。I\'mglad，too。Ittaughtmesomething，that\'sit，that\'swhatI

wanted。Don\'tyouunderstand？Iwantedtolearnthings，yousee。That\'swhyIdidit。"

DEATH

THESTAIRWAYLEADINGuptoDoctorReefy\'soffice，intheHeffnerBlockabovetheParisDryGoodsstore，wasbutdimlylighted。Attheheadofthestairwayhungalampwithadirtychimneythatwasfastenedbyabrackettothewall。Thelamphadatinreflector，brownwithrustandcoveredwithdust。

Thepeoplewhowentupthestairwayfollowedwiththeirfeetthefeetofmanywhohadgonebefore。

Thesoftboardsofthestairshadyieldedunderthepressureoffeetanddeephollowsmarkedtheway。

Atthetopofthestairwayaturntotherightbroughtyoutothedoctor\'sdoor。Totheleftwasadarkhallwayfilledwithrubbish。Oldchairs，carpen-

ter\'shorses，stepladdersandemptyboxeslayinthedarknesswaitingforshinstobebarked。ThepileofrubbishbelongedtotheParisDryGoodsCompany。