HadyoubeenintheearlieryearsofyourlifeacitizenofthevillageofWinesburg，Ohio，therewouldhavebeenforyounomysteryinregardtothebeastinhiscage。"ItislikeWashWilliams，"youwouldhavesaid。"Ashesitsinthecornerthere，thebeastisexactlylikeoldWashsittingonthegrassinthestationyardonasummereveningafterhehasclosedhisofficeforthenight。"
　　WashWilliams，thetelegraphoperatorofWines-
　　burg，wastheugliestthingintown。Hisgirthwasimmense，hisneckthin，hislegsfeeble。Hewasdirty。Everythingabouthimwasunclean。Eventhewhitesofhiseyeslookedsoiled。
　　Igotoofast。NoteverythingaboutWashwasun-
　　clean。Hetookcareofhishands。Hisfingerswerefat，buttherewassomethingsensitiveandshapelyinthehandthatlayonthetablebytheinstrumentinthetelegraphoffice。InhisyouthWashWilliamshadbeencalledthebesttelegraphoperatorinthestate，andinspiteofhisdegradementtotheobscureofficeatWinesburg，hewasstillproudofhisability。
　　WashWilliamsdidnotassociatewiththemenofthetowninwhichhelived。"I'llhavenothingtodowiththem，"hesaid，lookingwithblearyeyesatthemenwhowalkedalongthestationplatformpastthetelegraphoffice。UpalongMainStreethewentintheeveningtoEdGriffith'ssaloon，andafterdrink-
　　ingunbelievablequantitiesofbeerstaggeredofftohisroomintheNewWillardHouseandtohisbedforthenight。
　　WashWilliamswasamanofcourage。Athinghadhappenedtohimthatmadehimhatelife，andhehateditwholeheartedly，withtheabandonofapoet。Firstofall，hehatedwomen。"Bitches，"hecalledthem。Hisfeelingtowardmenwassomewhatdifferent。Hepitiedthem。"Doesnoteverymanlethislifebemanagedforhimbysomebitchoran-
　　other？"heasked。
　　InWinesburgnoattentionwaspaidtoWashWil-
　　liamsandhishatredofhisfellows。OnceMrs。
　　White，thebanker'swife，complainedtothetele-
　　graphcompany，sayingthattheofficeinWinesburgwasdirtyandsmelledabominably，butnothingcameofhercomplaint。Hereandthereamanre-
　　spectedtheoperator。Instinctivelythemanfeltinhimaglowingresentmentofsomethinghehadnotthecouragetoresent。WhenWashwalkedthroughthestreetssuchaonehadaninstincttopayhimhomage，toraisehishatortobowbeforehim。Thesuperintendentwhohadsupervisionoverthetele-
　　graphoperatorsontherailroadthatwentthroughWinesburgfeltthatway。HehadputWashintotheobscureofficeatWinesburgtoavoiddischarginghim，andhemeanttokeephimthere。Whenhereceivedtheletterofcomplaintfromthebanker'swife，hetoreitupandlaughedunpleasantly。Forsomereasonhethoughtofhisownwifeashetoreuptheletter。
　　WashWilliamsoncehadawife。WhenhewasstillayoungmanhemarriedawomanatDayton，Ohio。
　　Thewomanwastallandslenderandhadblueeyesandyellowhair。Washwashimselfacomelyyouth。
　　Helovedthewomanwithaloveasabsorbingasthehatredhelaterfeltforallwomen。
　　InallofWinesburgtherewasbutonepersonwhoknewthestoryofthethingthathadmadeuglythepersonandthecharacterofWashWilliams。HeoncetoldthestorytoGeorgeWillardandthetellingofthetalecameaboutinthisway:
　　GeorgeWillardwentoneeveningtowalkwithBelleCarpenter，atrimmerofwomen'shatswhoworkedinamillineryshopkeptbyMrs。KateMcHugh。Theyoungmanwasnotinlovewiththewoman，who，infact，hadasuitorwhoworkedasbartenderinEdGriffith'ssaloon，butastheywalkedaboutunderthetreestheyoccasionallyembraced。
　　Thenightandtheirownthoughtshadarousedsomethinginthem。AstheywerereturningtoMainStreettheypassedthelittlelawnbesidetherailroadstationandsawWashWilliamsapparentlyasleeponthegrassbeneathatree。OnthenexteveningtheoperatorandGeorgeWillardwalkedouttogether。
　　Downtherailroadtheywentandsatonapileofdecayingrailroadtiesbesidethetracks。Itwasthenthattheoperatortoldtheyoungreporterhisstoryofhate。
　　PerhapsadozentimesGeorgeWillardandthestrange，shapelessmanwholivedathisfather'shotelhadbeenonthepointoftalking。Theyoungmanlookedatthehideous，leeringfacestaringaboutthehoteldiningroomandwasconsumedwithcuriosity。Somethinghesawlurkinginthestar-
　　ingeyestoldhimthatthemanwhohadnothingtosaytoothershadneverthelesssomethingtosaytohim。Onthepileofrailroadtiesonthesummereve-
　　ning，hewaitedexpectantly。Whentheoperatorre-
　　mainedsilentandseemedtohavechangedhismindabouttalking，hetriedtomakeconversation。"Wereyouevermarried，Mr。Williams？"hebegan。"Isup-
　　poseyouwereandyourwifeisdead，isthatit？"
　　WashWilliamsspatforthasuccessionofvileoaths。"Yes，sheisdead，"heagreed。"Sheisdeadasallwomenaredead。Sheisaliving-deadthing，walkinginthesightofmenandmakingtheearthfoulbyherpresence。"Staringintotheboy'seyes，themanbecamepurplewithrage。"Don'thavefoolnotionsinyourhead，"hecommanded。"Mywife，sheisdead；yes，surely。Itellyou，allwomenaredead，mymother，yourmother，thattalldarkwomanwhoworksinthemillinerystoreandwithwhomIsawyouwalkingaboutyesterday——allofthem，theyarealldead。Itellyouthereissomethingrottenaboutthem。Iwasmarried，sure。Mywifewasdeadbeforeshemarriedme，shewasafoulthingcomeoutawomanmorefoul。Shewasathingsenttomakelifeunbearabletome。Iwasafool，doyousee，asyouarenow，andsoImarriedthiswoman。
　　Iwouldliketoseemenalittlebegintounderstandwomen。Theyaresenttopreventmenmakingtheworldworthwhile。ItisatrickinNature。Ugh!Theyarecreeping，crawling，squirmingthings，theywiththeirsofthandsandtheirblueeyes。Thesightofawomansickensme。WhyIdon'tkilleverywomanIseeIdon'tknow。"
　　Halffrightenedandyetfascinatedbythelightburningintheeyesofthehideousoldman，GeorgeWillardlistened，afirewithcuriosity。Darknesscameonandheleanedforwardtryingtoseethefaceofthemanwhotalked。When，inthegatheringdark-
　　ness，hecouldnolongerseethepurple，bloatedfaceandtheburningeyes，acuriousfancycametohim。
　　WashWilliamstalkedinloweventonesthatmadehiswordsseemthemoreterrible。Inthedarknesstheyoungreporterfoundhimselfimaginingthathesatontherailroadtiesbesideacomelyyoungmanwithblackhairandblackshiningeyes。TherewassomethingalmostbeautifulinthevoiceofWashWil-
　　liams，thehideous，tellinghisstoryofhate。
　　ThetelegraphoperatorofWinesburg，sittinginthedarknessontherailroadties，hadbecomeapoet。
　　Hatredhadraisedhimtothatelevation。"ItisbecauseIsawyoukissingthelipsofthatBelleCarpenterthatItellyoumystory，"hesaid。"Whathappenedtomemaynexthappentoyou。Iwanttoputyouonyourguard。Alreadyyoumaybehavingdreamsinyourhead。Iwanttodestroythem。"
　　WashWilliamsbegantellingthestoryofhismar-
　　riedlifewiththetallblondegirlwiththeblueeyeswhomhehadmetwhenhewasayoungoperatoratDayton，Ohio。Hereandtherehisstorywastouchedwithmomentsofbeautyintermingledwithstringsofvilecurses。Theoperatorhadmarriedthedaughterofadentistwhowastheyoungestofthreesisters。Onhismarriageday，becauseofhisability，hewaspromotedtoapositionasdispatcheratanincreasedsalaryandsenttoanofficeatColumbus，Ohio。Therehesettleddownwithhisyoungwifeandbeganbuyingahouseontheinstallmentplan。
　　Theyoungtelegraphoperatorwasmadlyinlove。
　　Withakindofreligiousfervorhehadmanagedtogothroughthepitfallsofhisyouthandtoremainvirginaluntilafterhismarriage。HemadeforGeorgeWillardapictureofhislifeinthehouseatColum-
　　bus，Ohio，withtheyoungwife。"inthegardenbackofourhouseweplantedvegetables，"hesaid，"youknow，peasandcornandsuchthings。WewenttoColumbusinearlyMarchandassoonasthedaysbecamewarmIwenttoworkinthegarden。WithaspadeIturneduptheblackgroundwhilesheranaboutlaughingandpretendingtobeafraidofthewormsIuncovered。LateinAprilcametheplanting。
　　Inthelittlepathsamongtheseedbedsshestoodholdingapaperbaginherhand。Thebagwasfilledwithseeds。AfewatatimeshehandedmetheseedsthatImightthrustthemintothewarm，softground。"
　　Foramomenttherewasacatchinthevoiceofthemantalkinginthedarkness。"Ilovedher，"hesaid。"Idon'tclaimnottobeafool。Iloveheryet。
　　ThereintheduskinthespringeveningIcrawledalongtheblackgroundtoherfeetandgroveledbe-
　　foreher。Ikissedhershoesandtheanklesabovehershoes。WhenthehemofhergarmenttouchedmyfaceItrembled。WhenaftertwoyearsofthatlifeIfoundshehadmanagedtoacquirethreeotherlov-
　　erswhocameregularlytoourhousewhenIwasawayatwork，Ididn'twanttotouchthemorher。
　　Ijustsentherhometohermotherandsaidnothing。
　　Therewasnothingtosay。Ihadfourhundreddol-
　　larsinthebankandIgaveherthat。Ididn'taskherreasons。Ididn'tsayanything。WhenshehadgoneIcriedlikeasillyboy。PrettysoonIhadachancetosellthehouseandIsentthatmoneytoher。"
　　WashWilliamsandGeorgeWillardarosefromthepileofrailroadtiesandwalkedalongthetrackstowardtown。Theoperatorfinishedhistalequickly，breathlessly。
　　"Hermothersentforme，"hesaid。"ShewrotemealetterandaskedmetocometotheirhouseatDayton。WhenIgotthereitwaseveningaboutthistime。"
　　WashWilliams'voicerosetoahalfscream。"Isatintheparlorofthathousetwohours。Hermothertookmeinthereandleftme。Theirhousewasstyl-
　　ish。Theywerewhatiscalledrespectablepeople。
　　Therewereplushchairsandacouchintheroom。I
　　wastremblingallover。IhatedthemenIthoughthadwrongedher。Iwassickoflivingaloneandwantedherback。ThelongerIwaitedthemorerawandtenderIbecame。IthoughtthatifshecameinandjusttouchedmewithherhandIwouldperhapsfaintaway。Iachedtoforgiveandforget。"
　　WashWilliamsstoppedandstoodstaringatGeorgeWillard。Theboy'sbodyshookasfromachill。Againtheman'svoicebecamesoftandlow。"Shecameintotheroomnaked，"hewenton。"Hermotherdidthat。WhileIsatthereshewastakingthegirl'sclothesoff，perhapscoaxinghertodoit。FirstI
　　heardvoicesatthedoorthatledintoalittlehallwayandthenitopenedsoftly。Thegirlwasashamedandstoodperfectlystillstaringatthefloor。Themotherdidn'tcomeintotheroom。Whenshehadpushedthegirlinthroughthedoorshestoodinthehallwaywaiting，hopingwewould——well，yousee——
　　waiting。"
　　GeorgeWillardandthetelegraphoperatorcameintothemainstreetofWinesburg。Thelightsfromthestorewindowslaybrightandshiningonthesidewalks。Peoplemovedaboutlaughingandtalk-
　　ing。Theyoungreporterfeltillandweak。Inimagi-
　　nation，healsobecameoldandshapeless。"Ididn'tgetthemotherkilled，"saidWashWilliams，staringupanddownthestreet。"Istruckheroncewithachairandthentheneighborscameinandtookitaway。Shescreamedsoloudyousee。Iwon'teverhaveachancetokillhernow。Shediedofafeveramonthafterthathappened。"
　　THETHINKER
　　THEHOUSEinwhichSethRichmondofWinesburglivedwithhismotherhadbeenatonetimetheshowplaceofthetown，butwhenyoungSethlivedthereitsgloryhadbecomesomewhatdimmed。ThehugebrickhousewhichBankerWhitehadbuiltonBuck-
　　eyeStreethadovershadowedit。TheRichmondplacewasinalittlevalleyfaroutattheendofMainStreet。Farmerscomingintotownbyadustyroadfromthesouthpassedbyagroveofwalnuttrees，skirtedtheFairGroundwithitshighboardfencecoveredwithadvertisements，andtrottedtheirhorsesdownthroughthevalleypasttheRichmondplaceintotown。AsmuchofthecountrynorthandsouthofWinesburgwasdevotedtofruitandberryraising，Sethsawwagon-loadsofberrypickers——boys，girls，andwomen——goingtothefieldsinthemorningandreturningcoveredwithdustintheevening。Thechatteringcrowd，withtheirrudejokescriedoutfromwagontowagon，sometimesirritatedhimsharply。Heregrettedthathealsocouldnotlaughboisterously，shoutmeaninglessjokesandmakeofhimselfafigureintheendlessstreamofmoving，gigglingactivitythatwentupanddowntheroad。
　　TheRichmondhousewasbuiltoflimestone，and，althoughitwassaidinthevillagetohavebecomerundown，hadinrealitygrownmorebeautifulwitheverypassingyear。Alreadytimehadbegunalittletocolorthestone，lendingagoldenrichnesstoitssurfaceandintheeveningorondarkdaystouchingtheshadedplacesbeneaththeeaveswithwaveringpatchesofbrownsandblacks。
　　ThehousehadbeenbuiltbySeth'sgrandfather，astonequarryman，andit，togetherwiththestonequarriesonLakeErieeighteenmilestothenorth，hadbeenlefttohisson，ClarenceRichmond，Seth'sfather。ClarenceRichmond，aquietpassionatemanextraordinarilyadmiredbyhisneighbors，hadbeenkilledinastreetfightwiththeeditorofanewspaperinToledo，Ohio。ThefightconcernedthepublicationofClarenceRichmond'snamecoupledwiththatofawomanschoolteacher，andasthedeadmanhadbeguntherowbyfiringupontheeditor，theefforttopunishtheslayerwasunsuccessful。Afterthequarryman'sdeathitwasfoundthatmuchofthemoneylefttohimhadbeensquanderedinspecula-
　　tionandininsecureinvestmentsmadethroughtheinfluenceoffriends。
　　Leftwithbutasmallincome，VirginiaRichmondhadsettleddowntoaretiredlifeinthevillageandtotheraisingofherson。Althoughshehadbeendeeplymovedbythedeathofthehusbandandfa-
　　ther，shedidnotatallbelievethestoriesconcerninghimthatranaboutafterhisdeath。Tohermind，thesensitive，boyishmanwhomallhadinstinctivelyloved，wasbutanunfortunate，abeingtoofineforeverydaylife。"You'llbehearingallsortsofstories，butyouarenottobelievewhatyouhear，"shesaidtoherson。"Hewasagoodman，fulloftendernessforeveryone，andshouldnothavetriedtobeamanofaffairs。NomatterhowmuchIweretoplananddreamofyourfuture，Icouldnotimagineanythingbetterforyouthanthatyouturnoutasgoodamanasyourfather。"
　　Severalyearsafterthedeathofherhusband，Vir-
　　giniaRichmondhadbecomealarmedatthegrowingdemandsuponherincomeandhadsetherselftothetaskofincreasingit。Shehadlearnedstenogra-
　　phyandthroughtheinfluenceofherhusband'sfriendsgotthepositionofcourtstenographeratthecountyseat。Thereshewentbytraineachmorningduringthesessionsofthecourt，andwhennocourtsat，spentherdaysworkingamongtherosebushesinhergarden。Shewasatall，straightfigureofawomanwithaplainfaceandagreatmassofbrownhair。
　　IntherelationshipbetweenSethRichmondandhismother，therewasaqualitythatevenateighteenhadbeguntocolorallofhistrafficwithmen。Analmostunhealthyrespectfortheyouthkeptthemotherforthemostpartsilentinhispresence。
　　Whenshedidspeaksharplytohimhehadonlytolooksteadilyintohereyestoseedawningtherethepuzzledlookhehadalreadynoticedintheeyesofotherswhenhelookedatthem。
　　Thetruthwasthatthesonthoughtwithremark-
　　ableclearnessandthemotherdidnot。Sheexpectedfromallpeoplecertainconventionalreactionstolife。
　　Aboywasyourson，youscoldedhimandhetrem-
　　bledandlookedatthefloor。Whenyouhadscoldedenoughheweptandallwasforgiven。Aftertheweepingandwhenhehadgonetobed，youcreptintohisroomandkissedhim。
　　VirginiaRichmondcouldnotunderstandwhyhersondidnotdothesethings。Aftertheseverestrepri-
　　mand，hedidnottrembleandlookatthefloorbutinsteadlookedsteadilyather，causinguneasydoubtstoinvadehermind。Asforcreepingintohisroom——
　　afterSethhadpassedhisfifteenthyear，shewouldhavebeenhalfafraidtodoanythingofthekind。
　　Oncewhenhewasaboyofsixteen，Sethincom-
　　panywithtwootherboysranawayfromhome。Thethreeboysclimbedintotheopendoorofanemptyfreightcarandrodesomefortymilestoatownwhereafairwasbeingheld。Oneoftheboyshadabottlefilledwithacombinationofwhiskeyandblackberrywine，andthethreesatwithlegsdan-
　　glingoutofthecardoordrinkingfromthebottle。
　　Seth'stwocompanionssangandwavedtheirhandstoidlersaboutthestationsofthetownsthroughwhichthetrainpassed。Theyplannedraidsuponthebasketsoffarmerswhohadcomewiththeirfam-
　　iliestothefair。"Wewillfivelikekingsandwon'thavetospendapennytoseethefairandhorseraces，"theydeclaredboastfully。
　　AfterthedisappearanceofSeth，VirginiaRich-
　　mondwalkedupanddownthefloorofherhomefilledwithvaguealarms。Althoughonthenextdayshediscovered，throughaninquirymadebythetownmarshal，onwhatadventuretheboyshadgone，shecouldnotquietherself。AllthroughthenightshelayawakehearingtheclocktickandtellingherselfthatSeth，likehisfather，wouldcometoasuddenandviolentend。Sodeterminedwasshethattheboyshouldthistimefeeltheweightofherwraththat，althoughshewouldnotallowthemarshaltointerferewithhisadventure，shegotoutapencilandpaperandwrotedownaseriesofsharp，sting-
　　ingreproofssheintendedtopouroutuponhim。
　　Thereproofsshecommittedtomemory，goingaboutthegardenandsayingthemaloudlikeanactormemorizinghispart。
　　Andwhen，attheendoftheweek，Sethreturned，alittlewearyandwithcoalsootinhisearsandabouthiseyes，sheagainfoundherselfunabletoreprovehim。Walkingintothehousehehunghiscaponanailbythekitchendoorandstoodlookingsteadilyather。"Iwantedtoturnbackwithinanhourafterwehadstarted，"heexplained。"Ididn'tknowwhattodo。Iknewyouwouldbebothered，butIknewalsothatifIdidn'tgoonIwouldbeashamedofmyself。Iwentthroughwiththethingformyowngood。Itwasuncomfortable，sleepingonwetstraw，andtwodrunkenNegroescameandsleptwithus。WhenIstolealunchbasketoutofafarmer'swagonIcouldn'thelpthinkingofhischil-
　　drengoingalldaywithoutfood。Iwassickofthewholeaffair，butIwasdeterminedtostickitoutuntiltheotherboyswerereadytocomeback。"
　　"I'mgladyoudidstickitout，"repliedthemother，halfresentfully，andkissinghimupontheforeheadpretendedtobusyherselfwiththeworkaboutthehouse。
　　OnasummereveningSethRichmondwenttotheNewWillardHousetovisithisfriend，GeorgeWillard。Ithadrainedduringtheafternoon，butashewalkedthroughMainStreet，theskyhadpartiallyclearedandagoldenglowlitupthewest。Goingaroundacorner，heturnedinatthedoorofthehotelandbegantoclimbthestairwayleadinguptohisfriend'sroom。Inthehotelofficetheproprietorandtwotravelingmenwereengagedinadiscussionofpolitics。
　　OnthestairwaySethstoppedandlistenedtothevoicesofthemenbelow。Theywereexcitedandtalkedrapidly。TomWillardwasberatingthetravel-
　　ingmen。"IamaDemocratbutyourtalkmakesmesick，"hesaid。"Youdon'tunderstandMcKinley。
　　McKinleyandMarkHannaarefriends。Itisimpossi-
　　bleperhapsforyourmindtograspthat。Ifanyonetellsyouthatafriendshipcanbedeeperandbiggerandmoreworthwhilethandollarsandcents，orevenmoreworthwhilethanstatepolitics，yousnickerandlaugh。"
　　Thelandlordwasinterruptedbyoneoftheguests，atall，grey-mustachedmanwhoworkedforawholesalegroceryhouse。"DoyouthinkthatI'velivedinClevelandalltheseyearswithoutknowingMarkHanna？"hedemanded。"Yourtalkispiffle。
　　Hannaisaftermoneyandnothingelse。ThisMcKin-
　　leyishistool。HehasMcKinleybluffedanddon'tyouforgetit。"
　　Theyoungmanonthestairsdidnotlingertoheartherestofthediscussion，butwentonupthestairwayandintothelittledarkhall。Somethinginthevoicesofthementalkinginthehotelofficestartedachainofthoughtsinhismind。Hewaslonelyandhadbeguntothinkthatlonelinesswasapartofhischaracter，somethingthatwouldalwaysstaywithhim。Steppingintoasidehallhestoodbyawindowthatlookedintoanalleyway。AtthebackofhisshopstoodAbnerGroff，thetownbaker。Histinybloodshoteyeslookedupanddownthealley-
　　way。Inhisshopsomeonecalledthebaker，whopretendednottohear。Thebakerhadanemptymilkbottleinhishandandanangrysullenlookinhiseyes。
　　InWinesburg，SethRichmondwascalledthe"deepone。""He'slikehisfather，"mensaidashewentthroughthestreets。"He'llbreakoutsomeofthesedays。Youwaitandsee。"
　　Thetalkofthetownandtherespectwithwhichmenandboysinstinctivelygreetedhim，asallmengreetsilentpeople，hadaffectedSethRichmond'soutlookonlifeandonhimself。He，likemostboys，wasdeeperthanboysaregivencreditforbeing，buthewasnotwhatthemenofthetown，andevenhismother，thoughthimtobe。Nogreatunderlyingpurposelaybackofhishabitualsilence，andhehadnodefiniteplanforhislife。Whentheboyswithwhomheassociatedwerenoisyandquarrelsome，hestoodquietlyatoneside。Withcalmeyeshewatchedthegesticulatinglivelyfiguresofhiscom-
　　panions。Hewasn'tparticularlyinterestedinwhatwasgoingon，andsometimeswonderedifhewouldeverbeparticularlyinterestedinanything。Now，ashestoodinthehalf-darknessbythewindowwatch-
　　ingthebaker，hewishedthathehimselfmightbe-
　　comethoroughlystirredbysomething，evenbythefitsofsullenangerforwhichBakerGroffwasnoted。
　　"ItwouldbebetterformeifIcouldbecomeexcitedandwrangleaboutpoliticslikewindyoldTomWil-
　　lard，"hethought，asheleftthewindowandwentagainalongthehallwaytotheroomoccupiedbyhisfriend，GeorgeWillard。
　　GeorgeWillardwasolderthanSethRichmond，butintheratheroddfriendshipbetweenthetwo，itwashewhowasforevercourtingandtheyoungerboywhowasbeingcourted。ThepaperonwhichGeorgeworkedhadonepolicy。Itstrovetomentionbynameineachissue，asmanyaspossibleoftheinhabitantsofthevillage。Likeanexciteddog，GeorgeWillardranhereandthere，notingonhispadofpaperwhohadgoneonbusinesstothecountyseatorhadreturnedfromavisittoaneigh-
　　boringvillage。Alldayhewrotelittlefactsuponthepad。"A。P。Wringlethadreceivedashipmentofstrawhats。EdByerbaumandTomMarshallwereinClevelandFriday。UncleTomSinningsisbuildinganewbarnonhisplaceontheValleyRoad。"
　　TheideathatGeorgeWillardwouldsomedaybe-
　　comeawriterhadgivenhimaplaceofdistinctioninWinesburg，andtoSethRichmondhetalkedcon-
　　tinuallyofthematter，"It'stheeasiestofalllivestolive，"hedeclared，becomingexcitedandboastful。
　　"Hereandthereyougoandthereisnoonetobossyou。ThoughyouareinIndiaorintheSouthSeasinaboat，youhavebuttowriteandthereyouare。
　　WaittillIgetmynameupandthenseewhatfunI
　　shallhave。"
　　InGeorgeWillard'sroom，whichhadawindowlookingdownintoanalleywayandonethatlookedacrossrailroadtrackstoBiffCarter'sLunchRoomfacingtherailroadstation，SethRichmondsatinachairandlookedatthefloor。GeorgeWillard，whohadbeensittingforanhouridlyplayingwithaleadpencil，greetedhimeffusively。"I'vebeentryingtowritealovestory，"heexplained，laughingner-
　　vously。Lightingapipehebeganwalkingupanddowntheroom。"IknowwhatI'mgoingtodo。I'mgoingtofallinlove。I'vebeensittinghereandthink-
　　ingitoverandI'mgoingtodoit。"
　　Asthoughembarrassedbyhisdeclaration，Georgewenttoawindowandturninghisbacktohisfriendleanedout。"IknowwhoI'mgoingtofallinlovewith，"hesaidsharply。"It'sHelenWhite。Sheistheonlygirlintownwithany'get-up'toher。"
　　Struckwithanewidea，youngWillardturnedandwalkedtowardhisvisitor。"Lookhere，"hesaid。
　　"YouknowHelenWhitebetterthanIdo。IwantyoutotellherwhatIsaid。YoujustgettotalkingtoherandsaythatI'minlovewithher。Seewhatshesaystothat。Seehowshetakesit，andthenyoucomeandtellme。"
　　SethRichmondaroseandwenttowardthedoor。
　　Thewordsofhiscomradeirritatedhimunbearably。
　　"Well，good-bye，"hesaidbriefly。
　　Georgewasamazed。RunningforwardhestoodinthedarknesstryingtolookintoSeth'sface。
　　"What'sthematter？Whatareyougoingtodo？Youstayhereandlet'stalk，"heurged。
　　Awaveofresentmentdirectedagainsthisfriend，themenofthetownwhowere，hethought，perpet-
　　uallytalkingofnothing，andmostofall，againsthisownhabitofsilence，madeSethhalfdesperate。
　　"Aw，speaktoheryourself，"heburstforthandthen，goingquicklythroughthedoor，slammeditsharplyinhisfriend'sface。"I'mgoingtofindHelenWhiteandtalktoher，butnotabouthim，"hemuttered。
　　Sethwentdownthestairwayandoutatthefrontdoorofthehotelmutteringwithwrath。Crossingalittledustystreetandclimbingalowironrailing，hewenttosituponthegrassinthestationyard。
　　GeorgeWillardhethoughtaprofoundfool，andhewishedthathehadsaidsomorevigorously。Al-
　　thoughhisacquaintanceshipwithHelenWhite，thebanker'sdaughter，wasoutwardlybutcasual，shewasoftenthesubjectofhisthoughtsandhefeltthatshewassomethingprivateandpersonaltohimself。
　　"Thebusyfoolwithhislovestories，"hemuttered，staringbackoverhisshoulderatGeorgeWillard'sroom，"whydoeshenevertireofhiseternaltalking。"
　　ItwasberryharvesttimeinWinesburganduponthestationplatformmenandboysloadedtheboxesofred，fragrantberriesintotwoexpresscarsthatstooduponthesiding。AJunemoonwasinthesky，althoughinthewestastormthreatened，andnostreetlampswerelighted。Inthedimlightthefig-
　　uresofthemenstandingupontheexpresstruckandpitchingtheboxesinatthedoorsofthecarswerebutdimlydiscernible。Upontheironrailingthatprotectedthestationlawnsatothermen。Pipeswerelighted。Villagejokeswentbackandforth。
　　Awayinthedistanceatrainwhistledandthemenloadingtheboxesintothecarsworkedwithre-
　　newedactivity。
　　SetharosefromhisplaceonthegrassandwentsilentlypastthemenperchedupontherailingandintoMainStreet。Hehadcometoaresolution。"I'llgetoutofhere，"hetoldhimself。"WhatgoodamI
　　here？I'mgoingtosomecityandgotowork。I'lltellmotheraboutittomorrow。"
　　SethRichmondwentslowlyalongMainStreet，pastWacker'sCigarStoreandtheTownHall，andintoBuckeyeStreet。Hewasdepressedbythethoughtthathewasnotapartofthelifeinhisowntown，butthedepressiondidnotcutdeeplyashedidnotthinkofhimselfasatfault。IntheheavyshadowsofabigtreebeforeDoctorWelling'shouse，hestoppedandstoodwatchinghalf-wittedTurkSmollet，whowaspushingawheelbarrowintheroad。Theoldmanwithhisabsurdlyboyishmindhadadozenlongboardsonthewheelbarrow，and，ashehurriedalongtheroad，balancedtheloadwithextremenicety。"Easythere，Turk!Steadynow，oldboy!"theoldmanshoutedtohimself，andlaughedsothattheloadofboardsrockeddangerously。
　　SethknewTurkSmollet，thehalfdangerousoldwoodchopperwhosepeculiaritiesaddedsomuchofcolortothelifeofthevillage。HeknewthatwhenTurkgotintoMainStreethewouldbecomethecen-
　　terofawhirlwindofcriesandcomments，thatintruththeoldmanwasgoingfaroutofhiswayinordertopassthroughMainStreetandexhibithisskillinwheelingtheboards。"IfGeorgeWillardwerehere，he'dhavesomethingtosay，"thoughtSeth。
　　"Georgebelongstothistown。He'dshoutatTurkandTurkwouldshoutathim。They'dbothbese-
　　cretlypleasedbywhattheyhadsaid。It'sdifferentwithme。Idon'tbelong。I'llnotmakeafussaboutit，butI'mgoingtogetoutofhere。"
　　Sethstumbledforwardthroughthehalf-darkness，feelinghimselfanoutcastinhisowntown。Hebegantopityhimself，butasenseoftheabsurdityofhisthoughtsmadehimsmile。Intheendhede-
　　cidedthathewassimplyoldbeyondhisyearsandnotatallasubjectforself-pity。"I'mmadetogotowork。Imaybeabletomakeaplaceformyselfbysteadyworking，andImightaswellbeatit，"hedecided。
　　SethwenttothehouseofBankerWhiteandstoodinthedarknessbythefrontdoor。Onthedoorhungaheavybrassknocker，aninnovationintroducedintothevillagebyHelenWhite'smother，whohadalsoorganizedawomen'sclubforthestudyofpo-
　　etry。Sethraisedtheknockerandletitfall。Itsheavyclattersoundedlikeareportfromdistantguns。
　　"HowawkwardandfoolishIam，"hethought。"IfMrs。Whitecomestothedoor，Iwon'tknowwhattosay。"
　　ItwasHelenWhitewhocametothedoorandfoundSethstandingattheedgeoftheporch。Blush-
　　ingwithpleasure，shesteppedforward，closingthedoorsoftly。"I'mgoingtogetoutoftown。Idon'tknowwhatI'lldo，butI'mgoingtogetoutofhereandgotowork。IthinkI'llgotoColumbus，"hesaid。"PerhapsI'llgetintotheStateUniversitydownthere。Anyway，I'mgoing。I'lltellmothertonight。"
　　Hehesitatedandlookeddoubtfullyabout。"Perhapsyouwouldn'tmindcomingtowalkwithme？"
　　SethandHelenwalkedthroughthestreetsbe-
　　neaththetrees。Heavycloudshaddriftedacrossthefaceofthemoon，andbeforetheminthedeeptwi-
　　lightwentamanwithashortladderuponhisshoul-
　　der。Hurryingforward，themanstoppedatthestreetcrossingand，puttingtheladderagainstthewoodenlamp-post，lightedthevillagelightssothattheirwaywashalflighted，halfdarkened，bythelampsandbythedeepeningshadowscastbythelow-branchedtrees。Inthetopsofthetreesthewindbegantoplay，disturbingthesleepingbirdssothattheyflewaboutcallingplaintively。Inthelightedspacebeforeoneofthelamps，twobatswheeledandcircled，pursuingthegatheringswarmofnightflies。
　　SinceSethhadbeenaboyinkneetrouserstherehadbeenahalfexpressedintimacybetweenhimandthemaidenwhonowforthefirsttimewalkedbesidehim。ForatimeshehadbeenbesetwithamadnessforwritingnoteswhichsheaddressedtoSeth。Hehadfoundthemconcealedinhisbooksatschoolandonehadbeengivenhimbyachildmetinthestreet，whileseveralhadbeendeliveredthroughthevillagepostoffice。
　　Thenoteshadbeenwritteninaround，boyishhandandhadreflectedamindinflamedbynovelreading。Sethhadnotansweredthem，althoughhehadbeenmovedandflatteredbysomeofthesen-
　　tencesscrawledinpenciluponthestationeryofthebanker'swife。Puttingthemintothepocketofhiscoat，hewentthroughthestreetorstoodbythefenceintheschoolyardwithsomethingburningathisside。Hethoughtitfinethatheshouldbethusselectedasthefavoriteoftherichestandmostat-
　　tractivegirlintown。
　　HelenandSethstoppedbyafencenearwherealowdarkbuildingfacedthestreet。Thebuildinghadoncebeenafactoryforthemakingofbarrelstavesbutwasnowvacant。Acrossthestreetupontheporchofahouseamanandwomantalkedoftheirchildhood，theirvoicescomingdearlyacrosstothehalf-embarrassedyouthandmaiden。Therewasthesoundofscrapingchairsandthemanandwomancamedownthegravelpathtoawoodengate。Stand-
　　ingoutsidethegate，themanleanedoverandkissedthewoman。"Foroldtimes'sake，"hesaidand，turning，walkedrapidlyawayalongthesidewalk。
　　"That'sBelleTurner，"whisperedHelen，andputherhandboldlyintoSeth'shand。"Ididn'tknowshehadafellow。Ithoughtshewastoooldforthat。"Sethlaugheduneasily。Thehandofthegirlwaswarmandastrange，dizzyfeelingcreptoverhim。Intohismindcameadesiretotellhersome-
　　thinghehadbeendeterminednottotell。"GeorgeWillard'sinlovewithyou，"hesaid，andinspiteofhisagitationhisvoicewaslowandquiet。"He'swrit-
　　ingastory，andhewantstobeinlove。Hewantstoknowhowitfeels。Hewantedmetotellyouandseewhatyousaid。"
　　AgainHelenandSethwalkedinsilence。TheycametothegardensurroundingtheoldRichmondplaceandgoingthroughagapinthehedgesatonawoodenbenchbeneathabush。
　　OnthestreetashewalkedbesidethegirlnewanddaringthoughtshadcomeintoSethRichmond'smind。Hebegantoregrethisdecisiontogetoutoftown。"ItwouldbesomethingnewandaltogetherdelightfultoremainandwalkoftenthroughthestreetswithHelenWhite，"hethought。Inimagina-
　　tionhesawhimselfputtinghisarmaboutherwaistandfeelingherarmsclaspedtightlyabouthisneck。
　　Oneofthoseoddcombinationsofeventsandplacesmadehimconnecttheideaoflove-makingwiththisgirlandaspothehadvisitedsomedaysbefore。HehadgoneonanerrandtothehouseofafarmerwholivedonahillsidebeyondtheFairGroundandhadreturnedbyapaththroughafield。Atthefootofthehillbelowthefarmer'shouseSethhadstoppedbeneathasycamoretreeandlookedabouthim。A
　　softhummingnoisehadgreetedhisears。Foramo-
　　menthehadthoughtthetreemustbethehomeofaswarmofbees。
　　Andthen，lookingdown，Sethhadseenthebeeseverywhereallabouthiminthelonggrass。Hestoodinamassofweedsthatgrewwaist-highinthefieldthatranawayfromthehillside。Theweedswereabloomwithtinypurpleblossomsandgaveforthanoverpoweringfragrance。Upontheweedsthebeesweregatheredinarmies，singingastheyworked。
　　Sethimaginedhimselflyingonasummereve-
　　ning，burieddeepamongtheweedsbeneaththetree。Besidehim，inthescenebuiltinhisfancy，layHelenWhite，herhandlyinginhishand。Apeculiarreluctancekepthimfromkissingherlips，buthefelthemighthavedonethatifhewished。Instead，helayperfectlystill，lookingatherandlisteningtothearmyofbeesthatsangthesustainedmasterfulsongoflaborabovehishead。
　　OnthebenchinthegardenSethstirreduneasily。
　　Releasingthehandofthegirl，hethrusthishandsintohistrouserpockets。Adesiretoimpressthemindofhiscompanionwiththeimportanceoftheresolutionhehadmadecameoverhimandhenod-
　　dedhisheadtowardthehouse。"Mother'llmakeafuss，Isuppose，"hewhispered。"Shehasn'tthoughtatallaboutwhatI'mgoingtodoinlife。ShethinksI'mgoingtostayonhereforeverjustbeingaboy。"
　　Seth'svoicebecamechargedwithboyishearnest-
　　ness。"Yousee，I'vegottostrikeout。I'vegottogettowork。It'swhatI'mgoodfor。"
　　HelenWhitewasimpressed。Shenoddedherheadandafeelingofadmirationsweptoverher。
　　"Thisisasitshouldbe，"shethought。"Thisboyisnotaboyatall，butastrong，purposefulman。"Cer-
　　tainvaguedesiresthathadbeeninvadingherbodyweresweptawayandshesatupverystraightonthebench。Thethundercontinuedtorumbleandflashesofheatlightninglituptheeasternsky。Thegardenthathadbeensomysteriousandvast，aplacethatwithSethbesidehermighthavebecomethebackgroundforstrangeandwonderfuladven-
　　tures，nowseemednomorethananordinaryWines-
　　burgbackyard，quitedefiniteandlimitedinitsoutlines。
　　"Whatwillyoudoupthere？"shewhispered。
　　Sethturnedhalfaroundonthebench，strivingtoseeherfaceinthedarkness。Hethoughtherinfi-
　　nitelymoresensibleandstraightforwardthanGeorgeWillard，andwasgladhehadcomeawayfromhisfriend。Afeelingofimpatiencewiththetownthathadbeeninhismindreturned，andhetriedtotellherofit。"Everyonetalksandtalks，"hebegan。"I'msickofit。I'lldosomething，getintosomekindofworkwheretalkdon'tcount。MaybeI'lljustbeamechanicinashop。Idon'tknow。IguessIdon'tcaremuch。Ijustwanttoworkandkeepquiet。
　　That'sallI'vegotinmymind。"
　　Setharosefromthebenchandputouthishand。
　　Hedidnotwanttobringthemeetingtoanendbutcouldnotthinkofanythingmoretosay。"It'sthelasttimewe'llseeeachother，"hewhispered。
　　AwaveofsentimentsweptoverHelen。PuttingherhanduponSeth'sshoulder，shestartedtodrawhisfacedowntowardherownupturnedface。Theactwasoneofpureaffectionandcuttingregretthatsomevagueadventurethathadbeenpresentinthespiritofthenightwouldnowneverberealized。"I
　　thinkI'dbetterbegoingalong，"shesaid，lettingherhandfallheavilytoherside。Athoughtcametoher。
　　"Don'tyougowithme；Iwanttobealone，"shesaid。"Yougoandtalkwithyourmother。You'dbetterdothatnow。"
　　Sethhesitatedand，ashestoodwaiting，thegirlturnedandranawaythroughthehedge。Adesiretorunafterhercametohim，butheonlystoodstaring，perplexedandpuzzledbyheractionashehadbeenperplexedandpuzzledbyallofthelifeofthetownoutofwhichshehadcome。Walkingslowlytowardthehouse，hestoppedintheshadowofalargetreeandlookedathismothersittingbyalightedwindowbusilysewing。Thefeelingofloneli-
　　nessthathadvisitedhimearlierintheeveningre-
　　turnedandcoloredhisthoughtsoftheadventurethroughwhichhehadjustpassed。"Huh!"heex-
　　claimed，turningandstaringinthedirectiontakenbyHelenWhite。"That'showthings'llturnout。
　　She'llbeliketherest。Isupposeshe'llbeginnowtolookatmeinafunnyway。"Helookedatthegroundandponderedthisthought。"She'llbeem-
　　barrassedandfeelstrangewhenI'maround，"hewhisperedtohimself。"That'showit'llbe。That'showeverything'llturnout。Whenitcomestolovingsomeone，itwon'tneverbeme。It'llbesomeoneelse——somefool——someonewhotalksalot——some-
　　onelikethatGeorgeWillard。"
　　TANDY
　　UNTILSHEWASsevenyearsoldshelivedinanoldunpaintedhouseonanunusedroadthatledoffTrunionPike。Herfathergaveherbutlittleattentionandhermotherwasdead。Thefatherspenthistimetalkingandthinkingofreligion。Heproclaimedhim-
　　selfanagnosticandwassoabsorbedindestroyingtheideasofGodthathadcreptintothemindsofhisneighborsthatheneversawGodmanifestinghimselfinthelittlechildthat，halfforgotten，livedhereandthereonthebountyofherdeadmother'srelatives。
　　AstrangercametoWinesburgandsawinthechildwhatthefatherdidnotsee。Hewasatall，red-
　　hairedyoungmanwhowasalmostalwaysdrunk。
　　SometimeshesatinachairbeforetheNewWillardHousewithTomHard，thefather。AsTomtalked，declaringtherecouldbenoGod，thestrangersmiledandwinkedatthebystanders。HeandTombecamefriendsandweremuchtogether。
　　ThestrangerwasthesonofarichmerchantofClevelandandhadcometoWinesburgonamission。
　　Hewantedtocurehimselfofthehabitofdrink，andthoughtthatbyescapingfromhiscityassociatesandlivinginaruralcommunityhewouldhaveabetterchanceinthestrugglewiththeappetitethatwasdestroyinghim。
　　HissojourninWinesburgwasnotasuccess。Thedullnessofthepassinghoursledtohisdrinkingharderthanever。Buthedidsucceedindoingsome-
　　thing。HegaveanamerichwithmeaningtoTomHard'sdaughter。