Burgesshasalwaysfoundrestintheseexcursions，andAdamsunrest。TheyaretryingChristianScience，now，withthecustomaryresult，theinevitableresult。NopoliticalorreligiousbeliefcanmakeBurgessunhappyortheothermanhappy。
　　Iassureyouitispurelyamatteroftemperament。BeliefsareACQUIREMENTS，temperamentsareBORN;beliefsaresubjecttochange，nothingwhatevercanchangetemperament。
　　Y。M。Youhaveinstancedextremetemperaments。
　　O。M。Yes，thehalfdozenothersaremodificationsoftheextremes。Butthelawisthesame。Wherethetemperamentistwothirdshappy，ortwothirdsunhappy，nopoliticalorreligiousbeliefscanchangetheproportions。Thevastmajorityoftemperamentsareprettyequallybalanced;theintensitiesareabsent，andthisenablesanationtolearntoaccommodateitselftoitspoliticalandreligiouscircumstancesandlikethem，besatisfiedwiththem，atlastpreferthem。NationsdonotTHINK，theyonlyFEEL。Theygettheirfeelingsatsecondhandthroughtheirtemperaments，nottheirbrains。Anationcanbebrought
　　byforceofcircumstances，notargumenttoreconcileitselftoANYKINDOFGOVERNMENTORRELIGIONTHATCANBEDEVISED;intimeitwillfititselftotherequiredconditions;later，itwillpreferthemandwillfiercelyfightforthem。Asinstances，youhaveallhistory:theGreeks，theRomans，thePersians，theEgyptians，theRussians，theGermans，theFrench，theEnglish，theSpaniards，theAmericans，theSouthAmericans，theJapanese，theChinese，theHindus，theTurksathousandwildandtamereligions，everykindofgovernmentthatcanbethoughtof，fromtigertohousecat，eachnationKNOWINGithastheonlytruereligionandtheonlysanesystemofgovernment，eachdespisingalltheothers，eachanassandnotsuspectingit，eachproudofitsfanciedsupremacy，eachperfectlysureitisthepetofGod，eachwithoutundoubtingconfidencesummoningHimtotakecommandintimeofwar，eachsurprisedwhenHegoesovertotheenemy，butbyhabitabletoexcuseitandresumecomplimentsinaword，thewholehumanracecontent，alwayscontent，persistentlycontent，indestructiblycontent，happy，thankful，proud，NO
　　MATTERWHATITSRELIGIONIS，NORWHETHERITSMASTERBETIGEROR
　　HOUSECAT。AmIstatingfacts？YouknowIam。Isthehumanracecheerful？Youknowitis。Consideringwhatitcanstand，andbehappy，youdometoomuchhonorwhenyouthinkthat_I_
　　canplacebeforeitasystemofplaincoldfactsthatcantakethecheerfulnessoutofit。Nothingcandothat。Everythinghasbeentried。Withoutsuccess。Ibegyounottobetroubled。
　　THEDEATHOFJEAN
　　ThedeathofJeanClemensoccurredearlyinthemorningofDecember24，1909。Mr。ClemenswasingreatstressofmindwhenIfirstsawhim，butafewhourslaterIfoundhimwritingsteadily。
　　"Iamsettingitdown，"hesaid，"everything。Itisarelieftometowriteit。Itfurnishesmeanexcuseforthinking。"AtintervalsduringthatdayandthenextIlookedin，andusuallyfoundhimwriting。Thenontheeveningofthe26th，whenheknewthatJeanhadbeenlaidtorestinElmira，hecametomyroomwiththemanuscriptinhishand。
　　"Ihavefinishedit，"hesaid;"readit。Icanformnoopinionofitmyself。Ifyouthinkitworthy，somedayatthepropertimeitcanendmyautobiography。Itisthefinalchapter。"
　　Fourmonthslateralmosttotheday（April21st）hewaswithJean。
　　AlbertBigelowPaine。
　　Stormfield，ChristmasEve，11A。M。，1909。
　　JEANISDEAD！
　　Hasanyoneevertriedtoputuponpaperallthelittlehappeningsconnectedwithadearonehappeningsofthetwenty
　　fourhoursprecedingthesuddenandunexpecteddeathofthatdearone？Wouldabookcontainthem？Wouldtwobookscontainthem？
　　Ithinknot。Theypourintothemindinaflood。Theyarelittlethingsthathavebeenalwayshappeningeveryday，andwerealwayssounimportantandeasilyforgettablebeforebutnow！
　　Now，howdifferent！howprecioustheyare，nowdear，howunforgettable，howpathetic，howsacred，howclothedwithdignity！
　　LastnightJean，allflushedwithsplendidhealth，andIthesame，fromthewholesomeeffectsofmyBermudaholiday，strolledhandinhandfromthedinnertableandsatdowninthelibraryandchatted，andplanned，anddiscussed，cheerilyandhappily（andhowunsuspectingly！）untilninewhichislateforusthenwentupstairs，Jean’sfriendlyGermandogfollowing。AtmydoorJeansaid，"Ican’tkissyougoodnight，father:Ihaveacold，andyoucouldcatchit。"Ibentandkissedherhand。ShewasmovedIsawitinhereyesandsheimpulsivelykissedmyhandinreturn。Thenwiththeusualgay"Sleepwell，dear！"fromboth，weparted。
　　AthalfpastseventhismorningIwoke，andheardvoicesoutsidemydoor。Isaidtomyself，"Jeanisstartingonherusualhorsebackflighttothestationforthemail。"ThenKaty[1]entered，stoodquakingandgaspingatmybedsideamoment，thenfoundhertongue:
　　"MISSJEANISDEAD！"
　　PossiblyIknownowwhatthesoldierfeelswhenabulletcrashesthroughhisheart。
　　Inherbathroomthereshelay，thefairyoungcreature，stretcheduponthefloorandcoveredwithasheet。Andlookingsoplacid，sonatural，andasifasleep。Weknewwhathadhappened。Shewasanepileptic:shehadbeenseizedwithaconvulsionandheartfailureinherbath。Thedoctorhadtocomeseveralmiles。Hisefforts，likeourpreviousones，failedtobringherbacktolife。
　　Itisnoon，now。Howlovableshelooks，howsweetandhowtranquil！Itisanobleface，andfullofdignity;andthatwasagoodheartthatliestheresostill。
　　InEngland，thirteenyearsago，mywifeandIwerestabbedtotheheartwithacablegramwhichsaid，"Susywasmercifullyreleasedtoday。"IhadtosendalikeshottoClara，inBerlin，thismorning。Withtheperemptoryaddition，"Youmustnotcomehome。"Claraandherhusbandsailedfromhereonthe11thofthismonth。HowwillClarabearit？Jean，fromherbabyhood，wasaworshiperofClara。
　　FourdaysagoIcamebackfromamonth’sholidayinBermudainperfectedhealth;butbysomeaccidentthereportersfailedtoperceivethis。Daybeforeyesterday，lettersandtelegramsbegantoarrivefromfriendsandstrangerswhichindicatedthatIwassupposedtobedangerouslyill。YesterdayJeanbeggedmetoexplainmycasethroughtheAssociatedPress。Isaiditwasnotimportantenough;butshewasdistressedandsaidImustthinkofClara。ClarawouldseethereportintheGermanpapers，andasshehadbeennursingherhusbanddayandnightforfourmonths[2]andwaswornoutandfeeble，theshockmightbedisastrous。
　　Therewasreasoninthat;soIsentahumorousparagraphbytelephonetotheAssociatedPressdenyingthe"charge"thatIwas"dying，"andsaying"Iwouldnotdosuchathingatmytimeoflife。"
　　Jeanwasalittletroubled，anddidnotliketoseemetreatthemattersolightly;butIsaiditwasbesttotreatitso，fortherewasnothingseriousaboutit。ThismorningIsentthesorrowfulfactsofthisday’sirremediabledisastertotheAssociatedPress。Willbothappearinthisevening’spapers？
　　theonesoblithe，theothersotragic？
　　IlostSusythirteenyearsago;Ilosthermotherherincomparablemother！fiveandahalfyearsago;ClarahasgoneawaytoliveinEurope;andnowIhavelostJean。HowpoorIam，whowasoncesorich！SevenmonthsagoMr。RogerdiedoneofthebestfriendsIeverhad，andthenearestperfect，asmanandgentleman，Ihaveyetmetamongmyrace;withinthelastsixweeksGilderhaspassedaway，andLaffanold，oldfriendsofmine。Jeanliesyonder，Isithere;wearestrangersunderourownroof;wekissedhandsgoodbyatthisdoorlastnightanditwasforever，weneversuspectingit。Sheliesthere，andIsitherewriting，busyingmyself，tokeepmyheartfrombreaking。
　　Howdazzlinglythesunshineisfloodingthehillsaround！Itislikeamockery。
　　Seventyfouryearsagotwentyfourdaysago。Seventyfouryearsoldyesterday。Whocanestimatemyagetoday？
　　Ihavelookeduponheragain。IwonderIcanbearit。ShelooksjustashermotherlookedwhenshelaydeadinthatFlorentinevillasolongago。Thesweetplacidityofdeath！itismorebeautifulthansleep。
　　Isawhermotherburied。IsaidIwouldneverendurethathorroragain;thatIwouldneveragainlookintothegraveofanyonedeartome。Ihavekepttothat。TheywilltakeJeanfromthishousetomorrow，andbearhertoElmira，NewYork，whereliethoseofusthathavebeenreleased，butIshallnotfollow。
　　Jeanwasonthedockwhentheshipcamein，onlyfourdaysago。Shewasatthedoor，beamingawelcome，whenIreachedthishousethenextevening。Weplayedcards，andshetriedtoteachmeanewgamecalled"MarkTwain。"Wesatchattingcheerilyinthelibrarylastnight，andshewouldn’tletmelookintotheloggia，whereshewasmakingChristmaspreparations。Shesaidshewouldfinishtheminthemorning，andthenherlittleFrenchfriendwouldarrivefromNewYorkthesurprisewouldfollow;thesurpriseshehadbeenworkingoverfordays。WhileshewasoutforamomentIdisloyallystolealook。Theloggiafloorwasclothedwithrugsandfurnishedwithchairsandsofas;andtheuncompletedsurprisewasthere:intheformofaChristmastreethatwasdrenchedwithsilverfilminamostwonderfulway;andonatablewasprodigalprofusionofbrightthingswhichshewasgoingtohanguponittoday。Whatdesecratinghandwilleverbanishthateloquentunfinishedsurprisefromthatplace？Notmine，surely。Alltheselittlemattershavehappenedinthelastfourdays。"Little。"YesTHEN。Butnotnow。Nothingshesaidorthoughtordidislittlenow。Andallthelavishhumor！whatisbecomeofit？Itispathos，now。Pathos，andthethoughtofitbringstears。
　　Alltheselittlethingshappenedsuchafewhoursagoandnowsheliesyonder。Liesyonder，andcaresfornothinganymore。Strangemarvelousincredible！Ihavehadthisexperiencebefore;butitwouldstillbeincredibleifIhadhaditathousandtimes。
　　"MISSJEANISDEAD！"
　　ThatiswhatKatysaid。WhenIheardthedooropenbehindthebed’sheadwithoutapreliminaryknock，IsupposeditwasJeancomingtokissmegoodmorning，shebeingtheonlypersonwhowasusedtoenteringwithoutformalities。
　　Andso
　　IhavebeentoJean’sparlor。SuchaturmoilofChristmaspresentsforservantsandfriends！Theyareeverywhere;tables，chairs，sofas，theflooreverythingisoccupied，andover
　　occupied。ItismanyandmanyayearsinceIhaveseenthelike。
　　InthatancientdayMrs。ClemensandIusedtoslipsoftlyintothenurseryatmidnightonChristmasEveandlookthearrayofpresentsover。Thechildrenwerelittlethen。AndnowhereisJean’sparlorlookingjustasthatnurseryusedtolook。Thepresentsarenotlabeledthehandsareforeveridlethatwouldhavelabeledthemtoday。Jean’smotheralwaysworkedherselfdownwithherChristmaspreparations。Jeandidthesameyesterdayandtheprecedingdays，andthefatiguehascostherherlife。Thefatiguecausedtheconvulsionthatattackedherthismorning。Shehadhadnoattackformonths。
　　Jeanwassofulloflifeandenergythatshewasconstantlyisdangerofovertaxingherstrength。Everymorningshewasinthesaddlebyhalfpastseven，andofftothestationforhermail。SheexaminedthelettersandIdistributedthem:sometoher，sometoMr。Paine，theotherstothestenographerandmyself。Shedispatchedhershareandthenmountedherhorseagainandwentaroundsuperintendingherfarmandherpoultrytherestoftheday。Sometimessheplayedbilliardswithmeafterdinner，butshewasusuallytootiredtoplay，andwentearlytobed。
　　YesterdayafternoonItoldheraboutsomeplansIhadbeendevisingwhileabsentinBermuda，tolightenherburdens。Wewouldgetahousekeeper;alsowewouldputhershareofthesecretaryworkintoMr。Paine’shands。
　　Noshewasn’twilling。Shehadbeenmakingplansherself。
　　Thematterendedinacompromise，Isubmitted。Ialwaysdid。
　　Shewouldn’tauditthebillsandletPainefilloutthechecks
　　shewouldcontinuetoattendtothatherself。Also，shewouldcontinuetobehousekeeper，andletKatyassist。Also，shewouldcontinuetoanswerthelettersofpersonalfriendsforme。Suchwasthecompromise。Bothofuscalleditbythatname，thoughI
　　wasnotabletoseewheremyformidablechangehadbeenmade。
　　However，Jeanwaspleased，andthatwassufficientforme。
　　Shewasproudofbeingmysecretary，andIwasneverabletopersuadehertogiveupanypartofhershareinthatunlovelywork。
　　InthetalklastnightIsaidIfoundeverythinggoingsosmoothlythatifshewerewillingIwouldgobacktoBermudainFebruaryandgetblessedlyoutoftheclashandturmoilagainforanothermonth。ShewasurgentthatIshoulddoit，andsaidthatifIwouldputoffthetripuntilMarchshewouldtakeKatyandgowithme。Westruckhandsuponthat，andsaiditwassettled。
　　IhadamindtowritetoBermudabytomorrow’sshipandsecureafurnishedhouseandservants。Imeanttowritetheletterthismorning。Butitwillneverbewritten，now。
　　Forsheliesyonder，andbeforeherisanotherjourneythanthat。
　　Nightisclosingdown;therimofthesunbarelyshowsabovetheskylineofthehills。
　　Ihavebeenlookingatthatfaceagainthatwasgrowingdeareranddearertomeeveryday。IwasgettingacquaintedwithJeanintheselastninemonths。Shehadbeenlonganexilefromhomewhenshecametousthreequartersofayearago。Shehadbeenshutupinsanitariums，manymilesfromus。Howeloquentgladandgratefulshewastocrossherfather’sthresholdagain！
　　WouldIbringherbacktolifeifIcoulddoit？Iwouldnot。
　　Ifawordwoulddoit，Iwouldbegforstrengthtowithholdtheword。AndIwouldhavethestrength;Iamsureofit。InherlossIamalmostbankrupt，andmylifeisabitterness，butI
　　amcontent:forshehasbeenenrichedwiththemostpreciousofallgiftsthatgiftwhichmakesallothergiftsmeanandpoor
　　death。IhaveneverwantedanyreleasedfriendofminerestoredtolifesinceIreachedmanhood。IfeltinthiswaywhenSusypassedaway;andlatermywife，andlaterMr。Rogers。WhenClarametmeatthestationinNewYorkandtoldmeMr。Rogershaddiedsuddenlythatmorning，mythoughtwas，Oh，favoriteoffortune
　　fortunateallhislongandlovelylifefortunatetohislatestmoment！Thereporterssaidthereweretearsofsorrowinmyeyes。TruebuttheywereforME，notforhim。Hehadsufferednoloss。Allthefortuneshehadevermadebeforewerepovertycomparedwiththisone。
　　WhydidIbuildthishouse，twoyearsago？Toshelterthisvastemptiness？HowfoolishIwas！ButIshallstayinit。Thespiritsofthedeadhallowahouse，forme。Itwasnotsowithothermembersofthefamily。SusydiedinthehousewebuiltinHartford。Mrs。Clemenswouldneverenteritagain。Butitmadethehousedearertome。Ihaveentereditoncesince，whenitwastenantlessandsilentandforlorn，buttomeitwasaholyplaceandbeautiful。Itseemedtomethatthespiritsofthedeadwereallaboutme，andwouldspeaktomeandwelcomemeiftheycould:Livy，andSusy，andGeorge，andHenryRobinson，andCharlesDudleyWarner。Howgoodandkindtheywere，andhowlovabletheirlives！InfancyIcouldseethemallagain，I
　　couldcallthechildrenbackandhearthemrompagainwithGeorgethatpeerlessblackexslaveandchildren’sidolwhocameonedayaflittingstrangertowashwindows，andstayedeighteenyears。Untilhedied。ClaraandJeanwouldneverenteragaintheNewYorkhotelwhichtheirmotherhadfrequentedinearlierdays。Theycouldnotbearit。ButIshallstayinthishouse。Itisdearertometonightthaneveritwasbefore。
　　Jean’sspiritwillmakeitbeautifulformealways。HerlonelyandtragicdeathbutIwillnotthinkofthatnow。
　　Jean’smotheralwaysdevotedtwoorthreeweekstoChristmasshopping，andwasalwaysphysicallyexhaustedwhenChristmasEvecame。Jeanwasherveryownchildsheworeherselfoutpresent
　　huntinginNewYorktheselatterdays。Painehasjustfoundonherdeskalonglistofnamesfifty，hethinkspeopletowhomshesentpresentslastnight。Apparentlysheforgotnoone。AndKatyfoundtherearollofbanknotes，fortheservants。
　　Herdoghasbeenwanderingaboutthegroundstoday，comradelessandforlorn。Ihaveseenhimfromthewindows。ShegothimfromGermany。Hehastallearsandlooksexactlylikeawolf。HewaseducatedinGermany，andknowsnolanguagebuttheGerman。Jeangavehimnoorderssaveinthattongue。Andsowhentheburglaralarmmadeafierceclamoratmidnightafortnightago，thebutler，whoisFrenchandknowsnoGerman，triedinvaintointerestthedoginthesupposedburglar。Jeanwroteme，toBermuda，abouttheincident。ItwasthelastletterIwasevertoreceivefromherbrightheadandhercompetenthand。
　　Thedogwillnotbeneglected。
　　TherewasneverakinderheartthanJean’s。Fromherchildhoodupshealwaysspentthemostofherallowanceoncharitiesofonekindoranother。Aftershebecamesecretaryandhadherincomedoubledshespenthermoneyuponthesethingswithafreehand。Minetoo，Iamgladandgratefultosay。
　　Shewasaloyalfriendtoallanimals，andshelovedthemall，birds，beasts，andeverythingevensnakesaninheritancefromme。Sheknewallthebirds;shewashighupinthatlore。
　　Shebecameamemberofvarioushumanesocietieswhenshewasstillalittlegirlbothhereandabroadandsheremainedanactivemembertothelast。Shefoundedtwoorthreesocietiesfortheprotectionofanimals，hereandinEurope。
　　Shewasanembarrassingsecretary，forshefishedmycorrespondenceoutofthewastebasketandansweredtheletters。
　　Shethoughtalllettersdeservedthecourtesyofananswer。
　　Hermotherbroughtherupinthatkindlyerror。
　　Shecouldwriteagoodletter，andwasswiftwithherpen。
　　Shehadbutanindifferentearmusic，buthertonguetooktolanguageswithaneasyfacility。SheneverallowedherItalian，French，andGermantogetrustythroughneglect。
　　Thetelegramsofsympathyareflowingin，fromfarandwide，now，justastheydidinItalyfiveyearsandahalfago，whenthischild’smotherlaiddownherblamelesslife。Theycannothealthehurt，buttheytakeawaysomeofthepain。WhenJeanandIkissedhandsandpartedatmydoorlast，howlittledidweimaginethatintwentytwohoursthetelegraphwouldbebringingwordslikethese:
　　"Fromthebottomofourheartswesendoutsympathy，dearestoffriends。"
　　Formanyandmanyadaytocome，whereverIgointhishouse，remembrancersofJeanwillmutelyspeaktomeofher。Whocancountthenumberofthem？
　　Shewasinexiletwoyearswiththehopeofhealinghermaladyepilepsy。TherearenowordstoexpresshowgratefulI
　　amthatshedidnotmeetherfateinthehandsofstrangers，butinthelovingshelterofherownhome。
　　"MISSJEANISDEAD！"
　　Itistrue。Jeanisdead。
　　AmonthagoIwaswritingbubblingandhilariousarticlesformagazinesyettoappear，andnowIamwritingthis。
　　CHRISTMASDAY。NOON。LastnightIwenttoJean’sroomatintervals，andturnedbackthesheetandlookedatthepeacefulface，andkissedthecoldbrow，andrememberedthatheartbreakingnightinFlorencesolongago，inthatcavernousandsilentvastvilla，whenIcreptdownstairssomanytimes，andturnedbackasheetandlookedatafacejustlikethisoneJean’smother’sfaceandkissedabrowthatwasjustlikethisone。AndlastnightIsawagainwhatIhadseenthenthatstrangeandlovelymiraclethesweet，softcontoursofearlymaidenhoodrestoredbythegracioushandofdeath！WhenJean’smotherlaydead，alltraceofcare，andtrouble，andsuffering，andthecorrodingyearshadvanishedoutoftheface，andIwaslookingagainuponitasIhadknownandworshippeditinitsyoungbloomandbeautyawholegenerationbefore。
　　Aboutthreeinthemorning，whilewanderingaboutthehouseinthedeepsilences，asonediesintimeslikethese，whenthereisadumbsensethatsomethinghasbeenlostthatwillneverbefoundagain，yetmustbesought，ifonlyfortheemploymenttheuselessseekinggives，IcameuponJean’sdoginthehalldownstairs，andnotedthathedidnotspringtogreetme，accordingtohishospitablehabit，butcameslowandsorrowfully;
　　alsoIrememberedthathehadnotvisitedJean’sapartmentsincethetragedy。Poorfellow，didheknow？Ithinkso。AlwayswhenJeanwasabroadintheopenhewaswithher;alwayswhenshewasinthehousehewaswithher，inthenightaswellasintheday。
　　Herparlorwashisbedroom。WheneverIhappeneduponhimonthegroundfloorhealwaysfollowedmeabout，andwhenIwentupstairshewenttooinatumultuousgallop。Butnowitwasdifferent:afterpattinghimalittleIwenttothelibraryheremainedbehind;whenIwentupstairshedidnotfollowme，savewithhiswistfuleyes。Hehaswonderfuleyesbig，andkind，andeloquent。Hecantalkwiththem。Heisabeautifulcreature，andisofthebreedoftheNewYorkpolicedogs。Idonotlikedogs，becausetheybarkwhenthereisnooccasionforit;butI
　　havelikedthisonefromthebeginning，becausehebelongedtoJean，andbecauseheneverbarksexceptwhenthereisoccasion
　　whichisnotoftenerthantwiceaweek。
　　InmywanderingsIvisitedJean’sparlor。OnashelfI
　　foundapileofmybooks，andIknewwhatitmeant。ShewaswaitingformetocomehomefromBermudaandautographthem，thenshewouldsendthemaway。IfIonlyknewwhomsheintendedthemfor！ButIshallneverknow。Iwillkeepthem。Herhandhastouchedthemitisanaccoladetheyarenoble，now。
　　AndinaclosetshehadhiddenasurpriseformeathingI
　　haveoftenwishedIowned:anoblebigglobe。Icouldn’tseeitforthetears。ShewillneverknowtheprideItakeinit，andthepleasure。Todaythemailsarefulloflovingremembrancesforher:fullofthoseold，oldkindwordsshelovedsowell，"MerryChristmastoJean！"Ifshecouldonlyhavelivedonedaylonger！
　　Atlastsheranoutofmoney，andwouldnotusemine。SoshesenttooneofthoseNewYorkhomesforpoorgirlsalltheclothesshecouldspareandmore，mostlikely。
　　CHRISTMASNIGHT。Thisafternoontheytookherawayfromherroom。AssoonasImight，Iwentdowntothelibrary，andthereshelay，inhercoffin，dressedinexactlythesameclothessheworewhenshestoodattheotherendofthesameroomonthe6thofOctoberlast，asClara’schiefbridesmaid。Herfacewasradiantwithhappyexcitementthen;itwasthesamefacenow，withthedignityofdeathandthepeaceofGoduponit。
　　Theytoldmethefirstmournertocomewasthedog。Hecameuninvited，andstooduponhishindlegsandrestedhisforepawsuponthetrestle，andtookalastlonglookatthefacethatwassodeartohim，thenwenthiswayassilentlyashehadcome。
　　HEKNOWS。
　　Atmidafternoonitbegantosnow。ThepityofitthatJeancouldnotseeit！Shesolovedthesnow。
　　Thesnowcontinuedtofall。Atsixo’clockthehearsedrewuptothedoortobearawayitspatheticburden。Astheyliftedthecasket，PainebeganplayingontheorchestrelleSchubert’s"Impromptu，"whichwasJean’sfavorite。ThenheplayedtheIntermezzo;thatwasforSusy;thenheplayedtheLargo;thatwasfortheirmother。Hedidthisatmyrequest。ElsewhereinmyAutobiographyIhavetoldhowtheIntermezzoandtheLargocametobeassociatedinmyheartwithSusyandLivyintheirlasthoursinthislife。
　　FrommywindowsIsawthehearseandthecarriageswindalongtheroadandgraduallygrowvagueandspectralinthefallingsnow，andpresentlydisappear。Jeanwasgoneoutofmylife，andwouldnotcomebackanymore。Jervis，thecousinshehadplayedwithwhentheywerebabiestogetherheandherbelovedoldKatywereconductinghertoherdistantchildhoodhome，whereshewillliebyhermother’ssideoncemore，inthecompanyofSusyandLangdon。
　　DECEMBER26TH。Thedogcametoseemeateighto’clockthismorning。Hewasveryaffectionate，poororphan！Myroomwillbehisquartershereafter。
　　Thestormragedallnight。Ithasragedallthemorning。
　　Thesnowdrivesacrossthelandscapeinvastclouds，superb，sublimeandJeannotheretosee。
　　2:30P。M。Itisthetimeappointed。Thefuneralhasbegun。
　　Fourhundredmilesaway，butIcanseeitall，justasifIwerethere。ThesceneisthelibraryintheLangdonhomestead。
　　Jean’scoffinstandswherehermotherandIstood，fortyyearsago，andweremarried;andwhereSusy’scoffinstoodthirteenyearsago;wherehermother’sstoodfiveyearsandahalfago;
　　andwhereminewillstandafteralittletime。
　　FIVEO’CLOCK。Itisallover。
　　WhenClarawentawaytwoweeksagotoliveinEurope，itwashard，butIcouldbearit，forIhadJeanleft。IsaidWEwouldbeafamily。Wesaidwewouldbeclosecomradesandhappyjustwetwo。ThatfairdreamwasinmymindwhenJeanmetmeatthesteamerlastMonday;itwasinmymindwhenshereceivedmeatthedoorlastTuesdayevening。Weweretogether;WEWEREA
　　FAMILY！thedreamhadcometrueoh，preciselytrue，contentedly，true，satisfyinglytrue！andremainedtruetwowholedays。
　　Andnow？NowJeanisinhergrave！
　　InthegraveifIcanbelieveit。Godresthersweetspirit！
　　1。KatyLeary，whohadbeenintheserviceoftheClemensfamilyfortwentynineyears。
　　2。Mr。Gabrilowitschhadbeenoperatedonforappendicitis。
　　THETURNINGPOINTOFMYLIFE
　　I
　　IfIunderstandtheidea，theBAZARinvitesseveralofustowriteupontheabovetext。Itmeansthechangeinmylife’scoursewhichintroducedwhatmustberegardedbymeasthemostIMPORTANTconditionofmycareer。Butitalsoimplieswithoutintention，perhapsthatthatturningpointITSELFwasthecreatorofthenewcondition。Thisgivesittoomuchdistinction，toomuchprominence，toomuchcredit。ItisonlytheLASTlinkinaverylongchainofturningpointscommissionedtoproducethecardinalresult;itisnotanymoreimportantthanthehumblestofitstenthousandpredecessors。Eachofthetenthousanddiditsappointedshare，onitsappointeddate，inforwardingthescheme，andtheywereallnecessary;tohaveleftoutanyoneofthemwouldhavedefeatedtheschemeandbroughtaboutSOMEOTHERresult。Itknowwehaveafashionofsaying"suchandsuchaneventwastheturningpointinmylife，"butweshouldn’tsayit。WeshouldmerelygrantthatitsplaceasLAST
　　linkinthechainmakesitthemostCONSPICUOUSlink;inrealimportanceithasnoadvantageoveranyoneofitspredecessors。
　　PerhapsthemostcelebratedturningpointrecordedinhistorywasthecrossingoftheRubicon。Suetoniussays:
　　ComingupwithhistroopsonthebanksoftheRubicon，hehaltedforawhile，and，revolvinginhismindtheimportanceofthestephewasonthepointoftaking，heturnedtothoseabouthimandsaid，"Wemaystillretreat;butifwepassthislittlebridge，nothingisleftforusbuttofightitoutinarms。"
　　Thiswasastupendouslyimportantmoment。Andalltheincidents，bigandlittle，ofCaesar’spreviouslifehadbeenleadinguptoit，stagebystage，linkbylink。ThiswastheLASTlinkmerelythelastone，andnobiggerthantheothers;
　　butaswegazebackatitthroughtheinflatingmistsofourimagination，itlooksasbigastheorbitofNeptune。
　　You，thereader，haveaPERSONALinterestinthatlink，andsohaveI;sohastherestofthehumanrace。Itwasoneofthelinksinyourlifechain，anditwasoneofthelinksinmine。
　　Wemaywait，now，withbaitedbreath，whileCaesarreflects。
　　Yourfateandmineareinvolvedinhisdecision。
　　Whilehewasthushesitating，thefollowingincidentoccurred。Apersonremarkedforhisnoblemienandgracefulaspectappearedcloseathand，sittingandplayinguponapipe。
　　Whennotonlytheshepherds，butanumberofsoldiersalso，flockedtolistentohim，andsometrumpetersamongthem，hesnatchedatrumpetfromoneofthem，rantotheriverwithit，and，soundingtheadvancewithapiercingblast，crossedtotheotherside。Uponthis，Caesarexclaimed:"Letusgowhithertheomensofthegodsandtheiniquityofourenemiescallup。
　　THEDIEISCAST。"
　　Sohecrossedandchangedthefutureofthewholehumanrace，foralltime。ButthatstrangerwasalinkinCaesar’slifechain，too;andanecessaryone。Wedon’tknowhisname，weneverhearofhimagain;hewasverycasual;heactslikeanaccident;buthewasnoaccident，hewastherebycompulsionofHISlifechain，toblowtheelectrifyingblastthatwastomakeupCaesar’smindforhim，andthencegopipingdowntheaislesofhistoryforever。
　　Ifthestrangerhadn’tbeenthere！ButheWAS。AndCaesarcrossed。Withsuchresults！SuchvasteventseachalinkintheHUMANRACE’Slifechain;eacheventproducingthenextone，andthatonethenextone，andsoon:thedestructionoftherepublic;thefoundingoftheempire;thebreakingupoftheempire;theriseofChristianityuponitsruins;thespreadofthereligiontootherlandsandsoon;linkbylinktookitsappointedplaceatitsappointedtime，thediscoveryofAmericabeingoneofthem;ourRevolutionanother;theinflowofEnglishandotherimmigrantsanother;theirdriftwestward（myancestorsamongthem）another;thesettlementofcertainoftheminMissouri，whichresultedinME。ForIwasoneoftheunavoidableresultsofthecrossingoftheRubicon。Ifthestranger，withhistrumpetblast，hadstayedaway（whichheCOULDN’T，forhewastheappointedlink）Caesarwouldnothavecrossed。Whatwouldhavehappened，inthatcase，wecanneverguess。Weonlyknowthatthethingsthatdidhappenwouldnothavehappened。Theymighthavebeenreplacedbyequallyprodigiousthings，ofcourse，buttheirnatureandresultsarebeyondourguessing。ButthematterthatinterestsmepersonallyisthatIwouldnotbeHERE
　　now，butsomewhereelse;andprobablyblackthereisnotelling。
　　Verywell，Iamgladhecrossed。Andveryreallyandthankfullyglad，too，thoughInevercaredanythingaboutitbefore。
　　II
　　Tome，themostimportantfeatureofmylifeisitsliteraryfeature。Ihavebeenprofessionallyliterarysomethingmorethanfortyyears。Therehavebeenmanyturningpointsinmylife，buttheonethatwasthelinkinthechainappointedtoconductmetotheliteraryguildisthemostCONSPICUOUSlinkinthatchain。
　　BECAUSEitwasthelastone。Itwasnotanymoreimportantthanitspredecessors。Alltheotherlinkshaveaninconspicuouslook，exceptthecrossingoftheRubicon;butasfactorsinmakingmeliterarytheyarealloftheonesize，thecrossingoftheRubiconincluded。
　　IknowhowIcametobeliterary，andIwilltellthestepsthatleaduptoitandbroughtitabout。
　　ThecrossingoftheRubiconwasnotthefirstone，itwashardlyevenarecentone;IshouldhavetogobackagesbeforeCaesar’sdaytofindthefirstone。TosavespaceIwillgobackonlyacoupleofgenerationsandstartwithanincidentofmyboyhood。WhenIwastwelveandahalfyearsold，myfatherdied。
　　Itwasinthespring。Thesummercame，andbroughtwithitanepidemicofmeasles。Foratimeachilddiedalmosteveryday。
　　Thevillagewasparalyzedwithfright，distress，despair。
　　Childrenthatwerenotsmittenwiththediseasewereimprisonedintheirhomestosavethemfromtheinfection。Inthehomestherewerenocheerfulfaces，therewasnomusic，therewasnosingingbutofsolemnhymns，novoicebutofprayer，norompingwasallowed，nonoise，nolaughter，thefamilymovedspectrallyaboutontiptoe，inaghostlyhush。Iwasaprisoner。Mysoulwassteepedinthisawfuldrearinessandinfear。Atsometimeorothereverydayandeverynightasuddenshivershookmetothemarrow，andIsaidtomyself，"There，I’vegotit！andI
　　shalldie。"Lifeonthesemiserabletermswasnotworthliving，andatlastImadeupmymindtogetthediseaseandhaveitover，onewayortheother。Iescapedfromthehouseandwenttothehouseofaneighborwhereaplaymateofminewasveryillwiththemalady。WhenthechanceofferedIcreptintohisroomandgotintobedwithhim。Iwasdiscoveredbyhismotherandsentbackintocaptivity。ButIhadthedisease;theycouldnottakethatfromme。Icameneartodying。Thewholevillagewasinterested，andanxious，andsentfornewsofmeeveryday;andnotonlyonceaday，butseveraltimes。EverybodybelievedI
　　woulddie;butonthefourteenthdayachangecamefortheworseandtheyweredisappointed。
　　Thiswasaturningpointofmylife。（Linknumberone。）
　　ForwhenIgotwellmymotherclosedmyschoolcareerandapprenticedmetoaprinter。Shewastiredoftryingtokeepmeoutofmischief，andtheadventureofthemeaslesdecidedhertoputmeintomoremasterfulhandsthanhers。
　　Ibecameaprinter，andbegantoaddonelinkafteranothertothechainwhichwastoleadmeintotheliteraryprofession。
　　Alongroad，butIcouldnotknowthat;andasIdidnotknowwhatitsgoalwas，oreventhatithadone，Iwasindifferent。
　　Alsocontented。
　　Ayoungprinterwandersaroundagooddeal，seekingandfindingwork;andseekingagain，whennecessitycommands。N。B。
　　NecessityisaCIRCUMSTANCE;Circumstanceisman’smasterandwhenCircumstancecommands，hemustobey;hemayarguethematterthatishisprivilege，justasitisthehonorableprivilegeofafallingbodytoarguewiththeattractionofgravitationbutitwon’tdoanygood，hemustOBEY。Iwanderedfortenyears，undertheguidanceanddictatorshipofCircumstance，andfinallyarrivedinacityofIowa，whereI
　　workedseveralmonths。AmongthebooksthatinterestedmeinthosedayswasoneabouttheAmazon。ThetravelertoldanalluringtaleofhislongvoyageupthegreatriverfromParatothesourcesoftheMadeira，throughtheheartofanenchantedland，alandwastefullyrichintropicalwonders，aromanticlandwhereallthebirdsandflowersandanimalswereofthemuseumvarieties，andwherethealligatorandthecrocodileandthemonkeyseemedasmuchathomeasiftheywereintheZoo。Also，hetoldanastonishingtaleaboutCOCA，avegetableproductofmiraculouspowers，assertingthatitwassonourishingandsostrengthgivingthatthenativeofthemountainsoftheMadeiraregionwouldtrampuphillanddownalldayonapinchofpowderedcocaandrequirenoothersustenance。