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。