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。