THEGREATSTONEFACE
　　ANDOTHERTALESOFTHEWHITEMOUNTAINS
　　CONTENTS
　　INTRODUCTION
　　THEGREATSTONEFACE
　　TheAMBITIOUSGUEST
　　THEGREATCARBUNCLE
　　SKETCHESFROMMEMORY
　　INTRODUCTION
　　THEfirstthreenumbersinthiscollectionaretalesoftheWhiteHillsinNewHampshire。ThepassagesfromSketchesfromMemoryshowthatHawthornehadvisitedthemountainsinoneofhisoccasionalramblesfromhome，buttherearenoentriesinhisNoteBookswhichgiveaccountsofsuchavisit。Thereis，however，amongthesenotesthefollowinginterestingparagraph，writtenin1840andclearlyforeshadowingTheGreatStoneFace：
　　’Thesemblanceofahumanfacetobeformedonthesideofamountain，orinthefractureofasmallstone，byalususnaturae[freakofnature]。Thefaceisanobjectofcuriosityforyearsorcenturies，andbyandbyaboyisbornwhosefeaturesgraduallyassumetheaspectofthatportrait。Atsomecriticaljuncturetheresemblanceisfoundtobeperfect。Aprophecymaybeconnected。’
　　ItisnotimpossiblethatthisconceitoccurredtoHawthornebeforehehadhimselfseentheOldManoftheMountain，ortheProfile，intheFranconiaNotchwhichisgenerallyassociatedinthemindsofreaderswithTheGreatStoneFace。
　　InTheAmbitiousGuesthehasmadeuseoftheincidentstilltoldtotravellersthroughtheNotch，ofthedestructionoftheWilleyfamilyinAugust，1826。Thehouseoccupiedbythefamilywasontheslopeofamountain，andafteralongdroughttherewasaterribletempestwhichnotonlyraisedtherivertoagreatheightbutloosenedthesurfaceofthemountainsothatagreatlandslidetookplace。Thehousewasinthetrackoftheslide，andthefamilyrushedoutofdoors。
　　Hadtheyremainedwithintheywouldhavebeensafe，foraledgeabovethehousepartedtheavalanchesothatitwasdivertedintotwopathsandsweptpastthehouseoneitherside。Mr。andMrs。Willey，theirfivechildren，andtwohiredmenwerecrushedundertheweightofearth，rocks，andtrees。
　　IntheSketchesfromMemoryHawthornegivesanintimationofthetalewhichhemightwriteanddidafterwardwriteofTheGreatCarbuncle。Thepaperisinterestingasshowingwhatweretheactualexperiencesoutofwhichheformedhisimaginativestories。
　　THEGREATSTONEFACEandOtherTalesOFTHEWHITE
　　MOUNTAINS
　　THEGREATSTONEFACE
　　Oneafternoon，whenthesunwasgoingdown，amotherandherlittleboysatatthedooroftheircottage，talkingabouttheGreatStoneFace。Theyhadbuttolifttheireyes，andthereitwasplainlytobeseen，thoughmilesaway，withthesunshinebrighteningallitsfeatures。AndwhatwastheGreatStoneFace？Embosomedamongstafamilyofloftymountains，therewasavalleysospaciousthatitcon-
　　tainedmanythousandinhabitants。Someofthesegoodpeopledweltinlog-huts，withtheblackforestallaroundthem，onthesteepanddifficulthillsides。Othershadtheirhomesincomfortablefarm-
　　houses，andcultivatedtherichsoilonthegentleslopesorlevelsurfacesofthevalley。Others，again，werecongregatedintopopulousvillages，wheresomewild，highlandrivulet，tumblingdownfromitsbirthplaceintheuppermountainregion，hadbeencaughtandtamedbyhumancunning，andcompelledtoturnthemachineryofcotton-
　　factories。Theinhabitantsofthisvalley，inshort，werenumerous，andofmanymodesoflife。Butallofthem，grownpeopleandchildren，hadakindoffamiliaritywiththeGreatStoneFace，althoughsomepossessedthegiftofdistinguishingthisgrandnaturalphenomenonmoreperfectlythanmanyoftheirneighbors。
　　TheGreatStoneFace，then，wasaworkofNatureinhermoodofmajestieplayfulness，formedontheperpendicularsideofamountainbysomeimmenserocks，whichhadbeenthrowntogetherinsuchapositionas，whenviewedataproperdistance，preciselytoresemblethefeaturesofthehumancountenance。Itseemedasifanenormousgiant，oraTitan，hadsculpturedhisownlikenessontheprecipice。
　　Therewasthebroadarchoftheforehead，ahundredfeetinheight；
　　thenose，withitslongbridge；andthevastlips，which，iftheycouldhavespoken，wouldhaverolledtheirthunderaccentsfromoneendofthevalleytotheother。Trueitis，thatifthespectatorapproachedtoonear，helosttheoutlineofthegiganticvisage，andcoulddiscernonlyaheapofponderousandgiganticrocks，piledinchaoticruinoneuponanother。Retracinghissteps，however，thewondrousfeatureswouldagainbeseen；andthefartherhewithdrewfromthem，themorelikeahumanface，withallitsoriginaldivinityintact，didtheyappear；until，asitgrewdiminthedistance，withthecloudsandglorifiedvaporofthemountainsclusteringaboutit，theGreatStoneFaceseemedpositivelytobealive。
　　ItwasahappylotforchildrentogrowuptomanhoodorwomanhoodwiththeGreatStoneFacebeforetheireyes，forallthefeatureswerenoble，andtheexpressionwasatoncegrandandsweet，asifitweretheglowofavast，warmheart，thatembracedallmankindinitsaffections，andhadroomformore。Itwasaneducationonlytolookatit。Accordingtothebeliefofmanypeople，thevalleyowedmuchofitsfertilitytothisbenignaspectthatwascontinuallybeamingoverit，illuminatingtheclouds，andinfusingitstendernessintothesunshine。
　　Aswebeganwithsaying，amotherandherlittleboysatattheircottage-door，gazingattheGreatStoneFace，andtalkingaboutit。Thechild’snamewasErnest。
　　’Mother，’saidhe，whiletheTitanicvisagemiledonhim，’Iwishthatitcouldspeak，foritlookssoverykindlythatitsvoicemustneedsbepleasant。IfIweretoSeeamanwithsuchaface，Ishouldlovehimdearly。’’Ifanoldprophecyshouldcometopass，’answeredhismother，’wemayseeaman，sometimeforother，withexactlysuchafaceasthat。’’Whatprophecydoyoumean，dearmother？’eagerlyinquiredErnest。’Praytellmeallaboutit！’
　　Sohismothertoldhimastorythatherownmotherhadtoldtoher，whensheherselfwasyoungerthanlittleErnest；astory，notofthingsthatwerepast，butofwhatwasyettocome；astory，nevertheless，soveryold，thateventheIndians，whoformerlyinhabitedthisvalley，hadhearditfromtheirforefathers，towhom，astheyaffirmed，ithadbeenmurmuredbythemountainstreams，andwhisperedbythewindamongthetree-tops。Thepurportwas，that，atsomefutureday，achildshouldbebornhereabouts，whowasdestinedtobecomethegreatestandnoblestpersonageofhistime，andwhosecountenance，inmanhood，shouldbearanexactresemblancetotheGreatStoneFace。Notafewold-fashionedpeople，andyoungoneslikewise，intheardoroftheirhopes，stillcherishedanenduringfaithinthisoldprophecy。Butothers，whohadseenmoreoftheworld，hadwatchedandwaitedtilltheywereweary，andhadbeheldnomanwithsuchaface，noranymanthatprovedtobemuchgreaterornoblerthanhisneighbors，concludedittobenothingbutanidletale。Atallevents，thegreatmanoftheprophecyhadnotyetappeared。"
　　Omother，dearmother！’criedErnest，clappinghishandsabovehishead，’IdohopethatIshalllivetoseehim！
　　Hismotherwasanaffectionateandthoughtfulwoman，andfeltthatitwaswisestnottodiscouragethegeneroushopesofherlittleboy。Sosheonlysaidtohim，’Perhapsyoumay。’
　　AndErnestneverforgotthestorythathismothertoldhim。Itwasalwaysinhismind，wheneverhelookedupontheGreatStoneFace。
　　Hespenthischildhoodinthelog-cottagewherehewasborn，andwasdutifultohismother，andhelpfultoherinmanythings，assistinghermuchwithhislittlehands，andmorewithhislovingheart。Inthismanner，fromahappyyetoftenpensivechild，hegrewuptobeamild，quiet，unobtrusiveboy，andsun-brownedwithlaborinthefields，butwithmoreintelligencebrighteninghisaspectthanisseeninmanyladswhohavebeentaughtatfamousschools。YetErnesthadhadnoteacher，saveonlythattheGreatStoneFacebecameonetohim。Whenthetoilofthedaywasover，hewouldgazeatitforhours，untilhebegantoimaginethatthosevastfeaturesrecognizedhim，andgavehimasmileofkindnessandencouragement，responsivetohisownlookofveneration。Wemustnottakeuponustoaffirmthatthiswasamistake，althoughtheFacemayhavelookednomorekindlyatErnestthanatalltheworldbesides。Butthesecretwasthattheboy’stenderandconfidingsimplicitydiscernedwhatotherpeoplecouldnotsee；andthusthelove，whichwasmeantforall，becamehispeculiarportion。
　　Aboutthistimetherewentarumorthroughoutthevalley，thatthegreatman，foretoldfromageslongago，whowastobeararesemblancetotheGreatStoneFace，hadappearedatlast。Itseemsthat，manyyearsbefore，ayoungmanhadmigratedfromthevalleyandsettledatadistantseaport，where，aftergettingtogetheralittlemoney，hehadsetupasashopkeeper。HisnamebutIcouldneverlearnwhetheritwashisrealone，oranicknamethathadgrownoutofhishabitsandsuccessinlife——wasGathergold。
　　Beingshrewdandactive，andendowedbyProvidencewiththatinscrutablefacultywhichdevelopsitselfinwhattheworldcallsluck，hebecameanexceedinglyrichmerchant，andownerofawholefleetofbulky-bottomedships。Allthecountriesoftheglobeappearedtojoinhandsforthemerepurposeofaddingheapafterheaptothemountainousaccumulationofthisoneman’swealth。Thecoldregionsofthenorth，almostwithinthegloomandshadowoftheArcticCircle，senthimtheirtributeintheshapeoffurs；hotAfricasiftedforhimthegoldensandsofherrivers，andgathereduptheivorytusksofhergreatelephantsoutoftheforests；theeastcamebringinghimtherichshawls，andspices，andteas，andtheeffulgenceofdiamonds，andthegleamingpurityoflargepearls。Theocean，nottobebehindhandwiththeearth，yieldeduphermightywhales，thatMr。Gathergoldmightselltheiroil，andmakeaprofitonit。Betheoriginalcommoditywhatitmight，itwasgoldwithinhisgrasp。Itmightbesaidofhim，asofMidas，inthefable，thatwhateverhetouchedwithhisfingerimmediatelyglistened，andgrewyellow，andwaschangedatonceintosterlingmetal，or，whichsuitedhimstillbetter，intopilesofcoin。And，whenMr。Gathergoldhadbecomesoveryrichthatitwouldhavetakenhimahundredyearsonlytocounthiswealth，hebethoughthimselfofhisnativevalley，andresolvedtogobackthither，andendhisdayswherehewasborn。Withthispurposeinview，hesentaskilfularchitecttobuildhimsuchapalaceasshouldbefitforamanofhisvastwealthtolivein。
　　AsIhavesaidabove，ithadalreadybeenrumoredinthe’valleythatMr。Gathergoldhadturnedouttobethepropheticpersonagesolongandvainlylookedfor，andthathisvisagewastheperfectandundeniablesimilitudeoftheGreatStoneFace。Peoplewerethemorereadytobelievethatthismustneedsbethefact，whentheybeheldthesplendidedificethatrose，asifbyenchantment，onthesiteofhisfather’soldweather-beatenfarmhouse。Theexteriorwasofmarble，sodazzlinglywhitethatitseemedasthoughthewholestructuremightmeltawayinthesunshine，likethosehumbleroneswhichMr。
　　Gathergold，inhisyoungplay-days，beforehisfingersweregiftedwiththetouchoftransmutation，hadbeenaccustomedtobuildofsnow。Ithadarichlyornamentedporticosupportedbytallpillars，beneathwhichwasaloftydoor，studdedwithsilverknobs，andmadeofakindofvariegatedwoodthathadbeenbroughtfrombeyondthesea。Thewindows，fromthefloortotheceilingofeachstatelyapartment，werecomposed，respectively’ofbutoneenormouspaneofglass，sotransparentlypurethatitwassaidtobeafinermediumthaneventhevacantatmosphere。Hardlyanybodyhadbeenpermittedtoseetheinteriorofthispalace；butitwasreported，andwithgoodsemblanceoftruth，tobefarmoregorgeousthantheoutside，insomuchthatwhateverwasironorbrassinotherhouseswassilverorgoldinthis；andMr。Gathergold’sbedchamber，especially，madesuchaglitteringappearancethatnoordinarymanwouldhavebeenabletoclosehiseyesthere。But，ontheotherhand，Mr。Gathergoldwasnowsoinuredtowealth，thatperhapshecouldnothaveclosedhiseyesunlesswherethegleamofitwascertaintofinditswaybeneathhiseyelids。
　　Induetime，themansionwasfinished；nextcametheupholsterers，withmagnificentfurniture；then，awholetroopofblackandwhiteservants，theharingersofMr。Gathergold，who，inhisownmajesticperson，wasexpectedtoarriveatsunset。OurfriendErnest，meanwhile，hadbeendeeplystirredbytheideathatthegreatman，thenobleman，themanofprophecy，aftersomanyagesofdelay，wasatlengthtobemademanifesttohisnativevalley。Heknew，boyashewas，thattherewereathousandwaysinwhichMr。Gathergold，withhisvastwealth，mighttransformhimselfintoanangelofbeneficence，andassumeacontroloverhumanaffairsaswideandbenignantasthesmileoftheGreatStoneFace。Fulloffaithandhope，Ernestdoubtednotthatwhatthepeoplesaidwastrue，andthatnowhewastobeholdthelivinglikenessofthosewondrousfeaturesonthemountainside。
　　Whiletheboywasstillgazingupthevalley，andfancying，ashealwaysdid，thattheGreatStoneFacereturnedhisgazeandlookedkindlyathim，therumblingofwheelswasheard，approachingswiftlyalongthewindingroad。
　　’Herehecomes！’criedagroupofpeoplewhowereassembledtowitnessthearrival。’HerecomesthegreatMr。Gathergold！’
　　Acarriage，drawnbyfourhorses，dashedroundtheturnoftheroad。
　　Withinit，thrustpartlyoutofthewindow，appearedthephysiognomyoftheoldman，withaskinasyellowasifhisownMidas-handhadtransmutedit。Hehadalowforehead，small，sharpeyes，puckeredaboutwithinnumerablewrinkles，andverythinlips，whichhemadestillthinnerbypressingthemforciblytogether。
　　TheveryimageortheGreatStoneFace！’shoutedthepeople。’Sureenough，theoldprophecyistrue；andherewehavethegreatmancome，atlast！’
　　And，whatgreatlyperplexedErnest，theyseemedactuallytobelievethatherewasthelikenesswhichtheyspokeof。Bytheroadsidetherechancedtobeanoldbeggarwomanandtwolittlebeggar-children，stragglersfromsomefar-offregion，who，asthecarriagerolledonward，heldouttheirhandsandlifteduptheirdolefulvoices，mostpiteouslybeseechingcharity。Ayellowclawtheverysamethathaddawedtogethersomuchwealth-pokeditselfoutofthecoach-
　　window，anddroptsomecoppercoinsupontheground；sothat，thoughthegreatman’snameseemstohavebeenGathergold，hemightjustassuitablyhavebeennicknamedScattercopper。Still，nevertheless，withanearnestshout，andevidentlywithasmuchgoodfaithasever，thepeoplebellowed’HeistheveryimageoftheGreatStoneFace！’ButErnestturnedsadlyfromthewrinkledshrewdnessofthatsordidvisage，andgazedupthevalley，where，amidagatheringmist，gildedbythelastsunbeams，hecouldstilldistinguishthosegloriousfeatureswhichhadimpressedthemselvesintohissoul。Theiraspectcheeredhim。Whatdidthebenignlipsseemtosay？
　　’Hewillcome！Fearnot，Ernest；themanwillcome！’
　　Theyearswenton，andErnestceasedtobeaboy。Hehadgrowntobeayoungmannow。Heattractedlittlenoticefromtheotherinhabitantsofthevalley；fortheysawnothingremarkableinhiswayoflife，savethat，whenthelaborofthedaywasover，hestilllovedtogoapartandgazeandmeditateupontheGreatStoneFace。Accordingtotheirideaofthematter，itwasafolly，indeed，butpardonable，inasmuchasErnestwasindustrious，kind，andneighborly，andneglectednodutyforthesakeofindulgingthisidlehabit。TheyknewnotthattheGreatStoneFacehadbecomeateachertohim，andthatthesentimentwhichwasexpressedinitwouldenlargetheyoungman’sheart，andfillitwithwideranddeepersympathiesthanotherhearts。Theyknewnotthatthencewouldcomeabetterwisdomthancouldbelearnedfrombooks，andabetterlifethancouldbemouldedonthedefacedexampleofotherhumanlives。NeitherdidErnestknowthatthethoughtsandaffectionswhichcametohimsonaturally，inthefieldsandatthefireside，andwhereverhecommunedwithhimself，wereofahighertonethanthosewhichallmensharedwithhim。Asimplesoul——simpleaswhenhismotherfirsttaughthimtheoldprophecy——
　　hebeheldthemarvellousfeaturesbeamingadownthevalley，andstillwonderedthattheirhumancounterpartwassolonginmakinghisappearance。
　　BythistimepoorMr。Gathergoldwasdeadandburied；andtheoddestpartofthematterwas，thathiswealth，whichwasthebodyandspiritofhisexistence，haddisappearedbeforehisdeath，leavingnothingofhimbutalivingskeleton，coveredoverwithawrinkled，yellowskin。Sincethemeltingawayofhisgold，ithadbeenverygenerallyconcededthattherewasnosuchstrikingresemblance，afterall，betwixttheignoblefeaturesoftheruinedmerchantandthatmajesticfaceuponthemountainside。Sothepeopleceasedtohonorhimduringhislifetime，andquietlyconsignedhimtoforgetfulnessafterhisdecease。Onceinawhile，itistrue，hismemorywasbroughtupinconnectionwiththemagnificentpalacewhichhehadbuilt，andwhichhadlongagobeenturnedintoahotelfortheaccommodationofstrangers，multitudesofwhomcame，everysummer，tovisitthatfamousnaturalcuriosity，theGreatStoneFace。
　　Thus，Mr。Gathergoldbeingdiscreditedandthrownintotheshade，themanofprophecywasyettocome。
　　Itsohappenedthatanative-bornsonofthevalley，manyyearsbefore，hadenlistedasasoldier，and，afteragreatdealofhardfighting，hadnowbecomeanillustriouscommander。Whateverhemaybecalledinhistory，hewasknownincampsandonthebattlefieldunderthenicknameofOldBlood-and-Thunder。Thiswar-
　　wornveteran，beingnowinfirmwithageandwounds，andwearyoftheturmoilofamilitarylife，andoftherollofthedrumandtheclangorofthetrumpet，thathadsolongbeenringinginhisears，hadlatelysignifiedapurposeofreturningtohisnativevalley，hopingtofindreposewhereherememberedtohaveleftit。Theinhabitants，hisoldneighborsandtheirgrown-upchildren，wereresolvedtowelcometherenownedwarriorwithasaluteofcannonandapublicdinner；andallthemoreenthusiastically，itbeingaffirmedthatnow，atlast，thelikenessoftheGreatStoneFacehadactuallyappeared。Anaid-de-
　　campofOldBlood-and-Thunder，travellingthroughthevalley，wassaidtohavebeenstruckwiththeresemblance。Moreovertheschoolmatesandearlyacquaintancesofthegeneralwerereadytotestify，onoath，that，tothebestoftheirrecollection，theaforesaidgeneralhadbeenexceedinglylikethemajesticimage，evenwhenaboy，onlythattheideahadneveroccurredtothematthatperiod。
　　Great，therefore，wastheexcitementthroughoutthevalley；andmanypeople，whohadneveroncethoughtofglancingattheGreatStoneFaceforyearsbefore，nowspenttheirtimeingazingatit，forthesakeofknowingexactlyhowGeneralBlood-and-Thunderlooked。
　　Onthedayofthegreatfestival，Ernest，withalltheotherpeopleofthevalley，lefttheirwork，andproceededtothespotwherethesylvanbanquetwasprepared。Asheapproached，theloudvoiceoftheRev。
　　Dr。Battleblastwasheard，beseechingablessingonthegoodthingssetbeforethem，andonthedistinguishedfriendofpeaceinwhosehonortheywereassembled。Thetableswerearrangedinaclearedspaceofthewoods，shutinbythesurroundingtrees，exceptwhereavistaopenedeastward，andaffordedadistantviewoftheGreatStoneFace。Overthegeneral’schair，whichwasarelicfromthehomeofWashington，therewasanarchofverdantboughs，withthelaurelprofuselyintermixed，andsurmountedbyhiscountry’sbanner，beneathwhichhehadwonhisvictories。OurfriendErnestraisedhimselfonhistiptoes，inhopestogetaglimpseofthecelebratedguest；buttherewasamightycrowdaboutthetablesanxioustohearthetoastsandspeeches，andtocatchanywordthatmightfallfromthegeneralinreply；andavolunteercompany，doingdutyasaguard，prickedruthlesslywiththeirbayonetsatanyparticularlyquietpersonamongthethrong。SoErnest，beingofanunobtrusivecharacter，wasthrustquiteintothebackground，wherehecouldseenomoreofOldBlood-and-Thunder’sphysiognomythanifithadbeenstillblazingonthebattlefield。Toconsolehimself，heturnedtowardstheGreatStoneFace，which，likeafaithfulandlong-rememberedfriend，lookedbackandsmileduponhimthroughthevistaoftheforest。Meantime，however，hecouldoverheartheremarksofvariousindividuals，whowerecomparingthefeaturesoftheherowiththefaceonthedistantmountainside。
　　"Tisthesameface，toahair！’criedoneman，cuttingacaperforjoy。
　　’Wonderfullylike，that’safact！’respondedanother。
　　’Like！why，IcallitOldBlood-and-Thunderhimself，inamonstrouslooking-glass！’criedathird。
　　’Andwhynot？He’sthegreatestmanofthisoranyotherage，beyondadoubt。’
　　Andthenallthreeofthespeakersgaveagreatshout，whichcommunicatedelectricitytothecrowd，andcalledfortharoarfromathousandvoices，thatwentreverberatingformilesamongthemountains，untilyoumighthavesupposedthattheGreatStoneFacehadpoureditsthunder-breathintothecry。Allthesecomments，andthisvastenthusiasm，servedthemoretointerestourfriend；nordidhethinkofquestioningthatnow，atlength，themountain-visagehadfounditshumancounterpart。Itistrue，Ernesthadimaginedthatthislong-looked-forpersonagewouldappearinthecharacterofamanofpeace，utteringwisdom，anddoinggood，andmakingpeoplehappy。
　　But，takinganhabitualbreadthofview，withallhissimplicity，hecontendedthatprovidenceshouldchooseitsownmethodofblessingmankind，andcouldconceivethatthisgreatendmightbeeffectedevenbyawarriorandabloodysword，shouldinscrutablewisdomseefittoordermattersSO。
　　’Thegeneral！thegeneral！’wasnowthecry。’Hush！silence！OldBlood-and-Thunder’sgoingtomakeaspeech。’
　　Evenso；for，theclothbeingremoved，thegeneral’shealthhadbeendrunk，amidshoutsofapplause，andhenowstooduponhisfeettothankthecompany。Ernestsawhim。Therehewas，overtheshouldersofthecrowd，fromthetwoglitteringepauletsandembroideredcollarupward，beneaththearchofgreenboughswithintertwinedlaurel，andthebannerdroopingasiftoshadehisbrow！Andthere，too，visibleinthesameglance，throughthevistaoftheforest，appearedtheGreatStoneFace！Andwasthere，indeed，sucharesemblanceasthecrowdhadtestified？Alas，Ernestcouldnotrecognizeit！Hebeheldawar-
　　wornandweather-beatencountenance，fullofenergy，andexpressiveofanironwill；butthegentlewisdom，thedeep，broad，tendersympathies，werealtogetherwantinginOldBlood-and-Thunder’svisage；andeveniftheGreatStoneFacehadassumedhislookofsterncommand，themildertraitswouldstillhavetemperedit。
　　’Thisisnotthemanofprophecy，’sighedErnesttohimself，ashemadehiswayoutofthethrong。’Andmusttheworldwaitlongeryet？’
　　Themistshadcongregatedaboutthedistantmountainside，andtherewereseenthegrandandawfulfeaturesoftheGreatStoneFace，awfulbutbenignant，asifamightyangelweresittingamongthehills，andenrobinghimselfinacloud-vestureofgoldandpurple。Ashelooked，Ernestcouldhardlybelievebutthatasmilebeamedoverthewholevisage，witharadiancestillbrightening，althoughwithoutmotionofthelips。Itwasprobablytheeffectofthewesternsunshine，meltingthroughthethinlydiffusedvaporsthathadsweptbetweenhimandtheobjectthathegazedat。But-asitalwaysdid-theaspectofhismarvellousfriendmadeErnestashopefulasifhehadneverhopedinvain。
　　’Fearnot，Ernest，’saidhisheart，evenasiftheGreatFacewerewhisperinghim-’fearnot，Ernest；hewillcome。’
　　Moreyearsspedswiftlyandtranquillyaway。Erneststilldweltinhisnativevalley，andwasnowamanofmiddleage。Byimperceptibledegrees，hehadbecomeknownamongthepeople。Now，asheretofore，helaboredforhisbread，andwasthesamesimple-heartedmanthathehadalwaysbeen。Buthehadthoughtandfeltsomuch，hehadgivensomanyofthebesthoursofhislifetounworldlyhopesforsomegreatgoodtomankind，thatitseemedasthoughhehadbeentalkingwiththeangels，andhadimbibedaportionoftheirwisdomunawares。Itwasvisibleinthecalmandwell-consideredbeneficenceofhisdailylife，thequietstreamofwhichhadmadeawidegreenmarginallalongitscourse。Notadaypassedby，thattheworldwasnotthebetterbecausethisman，humbleashewas，hadlived。Heneversteppedasidefromhisownpath，yetwouldalwaysreachablessingtohisneighbor。Almostinvoluntarily，too，hehadbecomeapreacher。Thepureandhighsimplicityofhisthought，which，asoneofitsmanifestations，tookshapeinthegooddeedsthatdroppedsilentlyfromhishand，flowedalsoforthinspeech。Heutteredtruthsthatwroughtuponandmouldedthelivesofthosewhoheardhim。Hisauditors，itmaybe，neversuspectedthatErnest，theirownneighborandfamiliarfriend，wasmorethananordinaryman；leastofalldidErnesthimselfsuspectit；but，inevitablyasthemurmurofarivulet，camethoughtsoutofhismouththatnootherhumanlipshadspoken。
　　Whenthepeople’smindshadhadalittletimetocool，theywerereadyenoughtoacknowledgetheirmistakeinimaginingasimilaritybetweenGeneralBlood-and-Thunder’struculentphysiognomyandthebenignvisageonthemountain-side。Butnow，again，therewerereportsandmanyparagraphsinthenewspapers，affirmingthatthelikenessoftheGreatStoneFacehadappeareduponthebroadshouldersofacertaineminentstatesman。He，likeMr。GathergoldandoldBlood-and-Thunder，wasanativeofthevalley，buthadleftitinhisearlydays，andtakenupthetradesoflawandpolitics。Insteadoftherichman’swealthandthewarrior’ssword，hehadbutatongue，anditwasmightierthanbothtogether。Sowonderfullyeloquentwashe，thatwhateverhemightchoosetosay，hisauditorshadnochoicebuttobelievehim；wronglookedlikeright，andrightlikewrong；forwhenitpleasedhim，hecouldmakeakindofilluminatedfogwithhismerebreath，andobscurethenaturaldaylightwithit。Histongue，indeed，wasamagicinstrument：sometimesitrumbledlikethethunder；sometimesitwarbledlikethesweetestmusic。Itwastheblastofwar——thesongofpeace；anditseemedtohaveaheartinit，whentherewasnosuchmatter。Ingoodtruth，hewasawondrousman；andwhenhistonguehadacquiredhimallotherimaginablesuccess-whenithadbeenheardinhallsofstate，andinthecourtsofprincesandpotentates——afterithadmadehimknownallovertheworld，evenasavoicecryingfromshoretoshore——itfinallyper-
　　suadedhiscountrymentoselecthimforthePresidency。Beforethistime-indeed，assoonashebegantogrowcelebrated——hisadmirershadfoundouttheresemblancebetweenhimandtheGreatStoneFace；andsomuchweretheystruckbyit，thatthroughoutthecountrythisdistinguishedgentlemanwasknownbythenameofOldStonyPhiz。Thephrasewasconsideredasgivingahighlyfavorableaspecttohispoliticalprospects；for，asislikewisethecasewiththePopedom，nobodyeverbecomesPresidentwithouttakinganameotherthanhisown。
　　WhilehisfriendsweredoingtheirbesttomakehimPresident，OldStonyPhiz，ashewascalled，setoutonavisittothevalleywherehewasborn。Ofcourse，hehadnootherobjectthantoshakehandswithhisfellow-citizens，andneitherthoughtnorcaredaboutanyeffectwhichhisprogressthroughthecountrymighthaveupontheelection。
　　Magnificentpreparationsweremadetoreceivetheillustriousstatesman；acavalcadeofhorsemensetforthtomeethimattheboundarylineoftheState，andallthepeoplelefttheirbusinessandgatheredalongthewaysidetoseehimpass。AmongthesewasErnest。
　　Thoughmorethanoncedisappointed，aswehaveseen，hehadsuchahopefulandconfidingnature，thathewasalwaysreadytobelieveinwhateverseemedbeautifulandgood。
　　Hekepthisheartcontinuallyopen，andthuswassuretocatchtheblessingfromonhighwhenitshouldcome。Sonowagain，asbuoyantlyasever，hewentforthtobeholdthelikenessoftheGreatStoneFace。
　　Thecavalcadecameprancingalongtheroad，withagreatclatteringofhoofsandamightycloudofdust，whichroseupsodenseandhighthatthevisageofthemountainsidewascompletelyhiddenfromErnest’seyes。Allthegreatmenoftheneighborhoodwerethereonhorseback；militiaofficers，inuniform；thememberofCongress；thesheriffofthecounty；theeditorsofnewspapers；andmanyafarmer，too，hadmountedhispatientsteed，withhisSundaycoatuponhisback。Itreallywasaverybrilliantspectacle，especiallyastherewerenumerousbannersflauntingoverthecavalcade，onsomeofwhichweregorgeousportraitsoftheillustriousstatesmanandtheGreatStoneFace，smilingfamiliarlyatoneanother，liketwobrothers。Ifthepicturesweretobetrusted，themutualresemblance，itmustbeconfessed，wasmarvellous。Wemustnotforgettomentionthattherewasabandofmusic，whichmadetheechoesofthemountainsringandreverberatewiththeloudtriumphofitsstrains；sothatairyandsoul-thrillingmelodiesbrokeoutamongalltheheightsandhollows，asifeverynookofhisnativevalleyhadfoundavoice，towelcomethedistinguishedguest。Butthegrandesteffectwaswhenthefar-offmountainprecipiceflungbackthemusic；forthentheGreatStoneFaceitselfseemedtobeswellingthetriumphantchorus，inacknowledgment，that，atlength，themanofprophecywascome。
　　Allthiswhilethepeoplewerethrowinguptheirhatsandshouting，withenthusiasmsocontagiousthattheheartofErnestkindledup，andhelikewisethrewuphishat，andshouted，asloudlyastheloudest，’Huzzaforthegreatman！HuzzaforOldStonyPhiz！’Butasyethehadnotseenhim。
　　’Hereheis，now！’criedthosewhostoodnearErnest。’There！There！
　　LookatOldStonyPhizandthenattheOldManoftheMountain，andseeiftheyarenotaslikeastwotwinbrothers！’
　　Inthemidstofallthisgallantarraycameanopenbarouche，drawnbyfourwhitehorses；andinthebarouche，withhismassiveheaduncovered，sattheillustriousstatesman，OldStonyPhizhimself。
　　’Confessit，’saidoneofErnest’sneighborstohim，’theGreatStoneFacehasmetitsmatchatlast！’
　　Now，itmustbeownedthat，athisfirstglimpseofthecountenancewhichwasbowingandsmilingfromthebarouche，Ernestdidfancythattherewasaresemblancebetweenitandtheoldfamiliarfaceuponthemountainside。Thebrow，withitsmassivedepthandloftiness，andalltheotherfeatures，indeed，wereboldlyandstronglyhewn，asifinemulationofamorethanheroic，ofaTitanicmodel。
　　Butthesublimityandstateliness，thegrandexpressionofadivinesympathy，thatilluminatedthemountainvisageandetherealizeditsponderousgranitesubstanceintospirit，mightherebesoughtinvain。
　　Somethinghadbeenoriginallyleftout，orhaddeparted。Andthereforethemarvellouslygiftedstatesmanhadalwaysawearygloominthedeepcavernsofhiseyes，asofachildthathasoutgrownitsplaythingsoramanofmightyfacultiesandlittleaims，whoselife，withallitshighperformances，wasvagueandempty，becausenohighpurposehadendoweditwithreality。
　　Still，Ernest’sneighborwasthrustinghiselbowintohisside，andpressinghimforananswer。
　　’Confess！confess！IsnothetheverypictureofyourOldManoftheMountain？’
　　’No！’saidErnest，bluntly，’Iseelittleornolikeness。’
　　’ThensomuchtheworsefortheGreatStoneFace！’answeredhisneighbor；andagainhesetupashoutforOldStonyPhiz。
　　ButErnestturnedaway，melancholy，andalmostdespondent：forthiswasthesaddestofhisdisappointments，tobeholdamanwhomighthavefulfilledtheprophecy，andhadnotwilledtodoso。Meantime，thecavalcade，thebanners，themusic，andthebarouchessweptpasthim，withthevociferouscrowdintherear，leavingthedusttosettledown，andtheGreatStoneFacetoberevealedagain，withthegrandeurthatithadwornforuntoldcenturies。
　　’Lo，hereIam，Ernest！’thebenignlipsseemedtosay。’Ihavewaitedlongerthanthou，andamnotyetweary。Fearnot；themanwillcome。’
　　Theyearshurriedonward，treadingintheirhasteononeanother’sheels。Andnowtheybegantobringwhitehairs，andscatterthemovertheheadofErnest；theymadereverendwrinklesacrosshisforehead，andfurrowsinhischeeks。Hewasanagedman。Butnotinvainhadhegrownold：morethanthewhitehairsonhisheadwerethesagethoughtsinhismind；hiswrinklesandfurrowswereinscriptionsthatTimehadgraved，andinwhichhehadwrittenlegendsofwisdomthathadbeentestedbythetenorofalife。AndErnesthadceasedtobeobscure。Unsoughtfor，undesired，hadcomethefamewhichsomanyseek，andmadehimknowninthegreatworld，beyondthelimitsofthevalleyinwhichhehaddweltsoquietly。Collegeprofessors，andeventheactivemenofcities，camefromfartoseeandconversewithErnest；forthereporthadgoneabroadthatthissimplehusbandmanhadideasunlikethoseofothermen，notgainedfrombooks，butofahighertone-atranquilandfamiliarmajesty，asifhehadbeentalkingwiththeangelsashisdailyfriends。Whetheritweresage，statesman，orphilanthropist，Ernestreceivedthesevisitorswiththegentlesinceritythathadcharacterizedhimfromboyhood，andspokefreelywiththemofwhatevercameuppermost，orlaydeepestinhisheartortheirown。Whiletheytalkedtogether，hisfacewouldkindle，unawares，andshineuponthem，aswithamildeveninglight。Pensivewiththefulnessofsuchdiscourse，hisgueststookleaveandwenttheirway；andpassingupthevalley，pausedtolookattheGreatStoneFace，imaginingthattheyhadseenitslikenessinahumancountenance，butcouldnotrememberwhere。
　　WhileErnesthadbeengrowingupandgrowingold，abountifulProvidencehadgrantedanewpoettothisearth。He，likewise，wasanativeofthevalley，buthadspentthegreaterpartofhislifeatadistancefromthatromanticregion，pouringouthissweetmusicamidthebustleanddinofcities。Often，however，didthemountainswhichhadbeenfamiliartohiminhischildhoodlifttheirsnowypeaksintotheclearatmosphereofhispoetry。NeitherwastheGreatStoneFaceforgotten，forthepoethadcelebrateditinanode，whichwasgrandenoughtohavebeenutteredbyitsownmajesticlips。Thismanofgenius，wemaysay，hadcomedownfromheavenwithwonderfulendowments。Ifhesangofamountain，theeyesofallmankindbeheldamightiergrandeurreposingonitsbreast，orsoaringtoitssummit，thanhadbeforebeenseenthere。Ifhisthemewerealovelylake，acelestialsmilehadnowbeenthrownoverit，togleamforeveronitssurface。Ifitwerethevastoldsea，eventhedeepimmensityofitsdreadbosomseemedtoswellthehigher，asifmovedbytheemotionsofthesong。Thustheworldassumedanotherandabetteraspectfromthehourthatthepoetblesseditwithhishappyeyes。TheCreatorhadbestowedhim，asthelastbesttouchtohisownhandiwork。Creationwasnotfinishedtillthepoetcametointerpret，andsocompleteit。
　　Theeffectwasnolesshighandbeautiful，whenhishumanbrethrenwerethesubjectofhisverse。Themanorwoman，sordidwiththecommondustoflife，whocrossedhisdailypath，andthelittlechildwhoplayedinit，wereglorifiediftheybeheldhiminhismoodofpoeticfaith。Heshowedthegoldenlinksofthegreatchainthatintertwinedthemwithanangelickindred；hebroughtoutthehiddentraitsofacelestialbirththatmadethemworthyofsuchkin。Some，indeed，therewere，whothoughttoshowthesoundnessoftheirjudg-
　　mentbyaffirmingthatallthebeautyanddignityofthenaturalworldexistedonlyinthepoet’sfancy。Letsuchmenspeakforthemselves，whoundoubtedlyappeartohavebeenspawnedforthbyNaturewithacontemptuousbitterness；sheplasteredthemupoutofherrefusestuff，afteralltheswineweremade。Asrespectsallthingselse，thepeet’sidealwasthetruesttruth。
　　ThesongsofthispoetfoundtheirwaytoErnest。Hereadthemafterhiscustomarytoil，seatedonthebenchbeforehiscottage-door，whereforsuchalengthoftimehehadfilledhisreposewiththought，bygazingattheGreatStoneFace。Andnowashereadstanzasthatcausedthesoultothrillwithinhim，heliftedhiseyestothevastcountenancebeamingonhimsobenignantly。
　　’Omajesticfriend，’hemurmured，addressingtheGreatStoneFace，’isnotthismanworthytoresemblethee？’
　　Thefaceseemedtosmile，butanswerednotaword。
　　Nowithappenedthatthepoet，thoughhedweltsofaraway，hadnotonlyheardofErnest，buthadmeditatedmuchuponhischaracter，untilhedeemednothingsodesirableastomeetthisman，whoseuntaughtwisdomwalkedhandinhandwiththenoblesimplicityofhislife。
　　Onesummermorning，therefore，hetookpassagebytherailroad，and，inthedeclineoftheafternoon，alightedfromthecarsatnogreatdistancefromErnest’scottage。Thegreathotel，whichhadformerlybeenthepalaceofMr。Gathergold，wascloseathand，butthepoet，withhiscarpetbagonhisarm，inquiredatoncewhereErnestdwelt，andwasresolvedtobeacceptedashisguest。
　　Approachingthedoor，hetherefoundthegoodoldman，holdingavolumeinhishand，whichalternatelyheread，andthen，withafingerbetweentheleaves，lookedlovinglyattheGreatStoneFace。
　　’Goodevening，’saidthepoet。’Canyougiveatravelleranight’slodging？’
　　’Willingly，’answeredErnest；andthenheadded，smiling，’MethinksI
　　neversawtheGreatStoneFacelooksohospitablyatastranger。’
　　Thepoetsatdownon"thebenchbesidehim，andheandErnesttalkedtogether。Oftenhadthepoetheldintercoursewiththewittiestandthewisest，butneverbeforewithamanlikeErnest，whosethoughtsandfeelingsgushedupwithsuchanaturalfeeling，andwhomadegreattruthssofamiliarbyhissimpleutteranceofthem。Angels，ashadbeensooftensaid，seemedtohavewroughtwithhimathislaborinthefields；angelsseemedtohavesatwithhimbythefireside；and，dwellingwithangelsasfriendwithfriends，hehadimbibedthesublimityoftheirideas，andimbueditwiththesweetandlowlycharmofhouseholdwords。Sothoughtthepoet。AndErnest，ontheotherhand，wasmovedandagitatedbythelivingimageswhichthepoetflungoutofhismind，andwhichpeopledalltheairaboutthecottage-doorwithshapesofbeauty，bothgayandpensive。Thesympathiesofthesetwomeninstructedthemwithaprofoundersensethaneithercouldhaveattainedalone。Theirmindsaccordedintoonestrain，andmadedelightfulmusicwhichneitherofthemcouldhaveclaimedasallhisown，nordistinguishedhisownsharefromtheother’s。Theyledoneanother，asitwere，intoahighpavilionoftheirthoughts，soremote，andhithertosodim，thattheyhadneverentereditbefore，andsobeautifulthattheydesiredtobetherealways。
　　AsErnestlistenedtothepoet，heimaginedthattheGreatStoneFacewasbendingforwardtolistentoo。Hegazedearnestlyintothepoet’sglowingeyes。
　　’Whoareyou，mystrangelygiftedguest？’hesaid。
　　ThepoetlaidhisfingeronthevolumethatErnesthadbeenreading。
　　’Youhavereadthesepoems，’saidhe。’Youknowme，then-forI
　　wrotethem。’
　　Again，andstillmoreearnestlythanbefore，Ernestexaminedthepoet’sfeatures；thenturnedtowardstheGreatStoneFace；thenback，withanuncertainaspect，tohisguest。Buthiscountenancefell；heshookhishead，andsighed。
　　’Whereforeareyousad？’inquiredthepoet。’Because，’repliedErnest，’allthroughlifeIhaveawaitedthefulfilmentofaprophecy；and，whenIreadthesepoems，Ihopedthatitmightbefulfilledinyou。’
　　’Youhoped，’answeredthepoet，faintlysmiling，’tofindinmethelikenessoftheGreatStoneFace。Andyouaredisappointed，asformerlywithMr。Gathergold，andoldBlood-and-Thunder，andOldStonyPhiz。Yes，Ernest，itismydoom。
　　Youmustaddmynametotheillustriousthree，andrecordanotherfailureofyourhopes。For-inshameandsadnessdoIspeakit，Ernest——
　　Iamnotworthytobetypifiedbyyonderbenignandmajesticimage。’
　　’Andwhy？’askedErnest。Hepointedtothevolume。’Arenotthosethoughtsdivine？’
　　’TheyhaveastrainoftheDivinity，’repliedthepoet。’Youcanhearinthemthefar-offechoofaheavenlysong。Butmylife，dearErnest，hasnotcorrespondedwithmythought。Ihavehadgranddreams，buttheyhavebeenonlydreams，becauseIhavelived——andthat，too，bymyownchoiceamongpoorandmeanrealities。Sometimes，even——
　　shallIdaretosayit？——Ilackfaithinthegrandeur，thebeauty，andthegoodness，whichmyownworksaresaidtohavemademoreevidentinnatureandinhumanlife。Why，then，pureseekerofthegoodandtrue，shouldstthouhopetofindme，inyonderimageofthedivine？’
　　Thepoetspokesadly，andhiseyesweredimwithtears。So，likewise，werethoseofErnest。
　　Atthehourofsunset，ashadlongbeenhisfrequentcustom，Ernestwastodiscoursetoanassemblageoftheneighboringinhabitantsintheopenair。Heandthepoet，arminarm，stilltalkingtogetherastheywentalong，proceededtothespot。Itwasasmallnookamongthehills，withagrayprecipicebehind，thesternfrontofwhichwasrelievedbythepleasantfoliageofmanycreepingplantsthatmadeatapestryforthenakedrock，byhangingtheirfestoonsfromallitsruggedangles。Atasmallelevationabovetheground，setinarichframeworkofverdure，thereappearedaniche，spaciousenoughtoadmitahumanfigure，withfreedomforsuchgesturesasspontaneouslyaccompanyearnestthoughtandgenuineemotion。IntothisnaturalpulpitErnestascended，andthrewalookoffamiliarkindnessarounduponhisaudience。Theystood，orsat，orreclineduponthegrass，asseemedgoodtoeach，withthedepartingsunshinefallingobliquelyoverthem，andminglingitssubduedcheerfulnesswiththesolemnityofagroveofancienttrees，beneathandamidtheboughsofwhichthegoldenrayswereconstrainedtopass。InanotherdirectionwasseentheGreatStoneFace，withthesamecheer，combinedwiththesamesolemnity，initsbenignantaspect。
　　"Ernestbegantospeak，givingtothepeopleofwhatwasinhisheartandmind。Hiswordshadpower，becausetheyaccordedwithhisthoughts；andhisthoughtshadrealityanddepth，becausetheyharmonizedwiththelifewhichhehadalwayslived。Itwasnotmerebreaththatthispreacheruttered；theywerethewordsoflife，becausealifeofgooddeedsandholylovewasmeltedintothem。Pearls，pureandrich，hadbeendissolvedintothispreciousdraught。Thepoet，ashelistened，feltthatthebeingandcharacterofErnestwereanoblerstrainofpoetrythanhehadeverwritten。
　　Hiseyesglisteningwithtears，hegazedreverentiallyatthevenerableman，andsaidwithinhimselfthatneverwasthereanaspectsoworthyofaprophetandasageasthatmild，sweet，thoughtfulcountenance，withthegloryofwhitehairdiffusedaboutit。Atadistance，butdistinctlytobeseen，highupinthegoldenlightofthesettingsun，appearedtheGreatStoneFace，withhoarymistsaroundit，likethewhitehairsaround。thebrow’ofErnest。Itslookofgrandbeneficenceseemedtoembracetheworld。
　　Atthatmoment，insympathywithathoughtwhichhewasabouttoutter，thefaceofErnestassumedagrandeurofexpression，soimbuedwithbenevolence，thatthepoet，byanirresistibleimpulse，threwhisarmsaloftandshouted-
　　’Behold！Behold！ErnestishimselfthelikenessoftheGreatStoneFace！’
　　Thenallthepeoplelookedandsawthatwhatthedeep-sightedpoetsaidwastrue。Theprophecywasfulfilled。ButErnest，havingfinishedwhathehadtosay，tookthepoet’sarm，andwalkedslowlyhomeward，stillhopingthatsomewiserandbettermanthanhimselfwouldbyandbyappear，bearingaresemblancetotheGREAT
　　STONEFACE。
　　THEAMBITIOUSGUEST
　　OneSeptembernightafamilyhadgatheredroundtheirhearth，andpiledithighwiththedriftwoodofmountainstreams，thedryconesofthepine，andthesplinteredruinsofgreattreesthathadcomecrashingdowntheprecipice。Upthechimneyroaredthefire，andbrightenedtheroomwithitsbroadblaze。Thefacesofthefatherandmotherhadasobergladness；thechildrenlaughed；theeldestdaughterwastheimageofHappinessatseventeen；andtheagedgrandmotherwhosatknittinginthewarmestplace，wastheimageofHappinessgrownold。
　　Theyhadfoundthe’herb，heart’s-ease，’inthebleakestspotofallNewEngland。（ThisfamilyweresituatedintheNotchoftheWhiteHills，wherethewindwassharpthroughouttheyear，andpitilesslycoldinthewinter-givingtheircottageallitsfreshinclemencybeforeitdescendedonthevalleyoftheSaco）Theydweltinacoldspotandadangerousone；foramountaintoweredabovetheirheads，sosteep，thatthestoneswouldoftenrumbledownitssidesandstartlethematmidnight。
　　Thedaughterhadjustutteredsomesimplejestthatfilledthemallwithmirth，whenthewindcamethroughtheNotchandseemedtopausebeforetheircottage-rattlingthedoor，withasoundofwailingandlamentation，beforeitpassedintothevalley。Foramomentitsaddenedthem，thoughtherewasnothingunusualinthetones。Butthefamilyweregladagainwhentheyperceivedthatthelatchwasliftedbysometraveller，whosefootstepshadbeenunheardamidthedrearyblastwhichheraldedhisapproach，andwailedashewasentering，andwentmoaningawayfromthedoor。
　　Thoughtheydwelt{nsuchasolitude，thesepeoplehelddailyconversewiththeworld。TheromanticpassoftheNotchisagreatartery，throughwhichthelife-bloodofinternalcommerceiscontinuallythrobbingbetweenMaine，ononeside，andtheGreenMountainsandtheshoresoftheSt。Lawrence，ontheother。Thestage-coachalwaysdrewupbeforethedoorofthecottage。Thewayfarer，withnocompanionbuthisstaff，pausedheretoexchangeaword，thatthesenseoflonelinessmightnotutterlyovercomehimerehecouldpassthroughthecleftofthemountain，orreachthefirsthouseinthevalley。Andheretheteamster，onhiswaytoPortlandmarket，wouldputupforthenight；and，ifabachelor，mightsitanhourbeyondtheusualbedtime，andstealakissfromthemountainmaidatparting。Itwasoneofthoseprimitivetavernswherethetravellerpaysonlyforfoodandlodging，butmeetswithahomelykindnessbeyondallprice。Whenthefootstepswereheard，therefore，betweentheouterdoorandtheinnerone，thewholefamilyroseup，grandmother，children，andall，asifabouttowelcomesomeonewhobelongedtothem，andwhosefatewaslinkedwiththeirs。
　　Thedoorwasopenedbyayoungman。Hisfaceatfirstworethemelancholyexpression，almostdespondency，ofonewhotravelsawildandbleakroad，atnightfallandalone，butsoonbrightenedupwhenhesawthekindlywarmthofhisreception。Hefelthisheartspringforwardtomeetthemall，fromtheoldwoman，whowipedachairwithherapron，tothelittlechildthatheldoutitsarmstohim。
　　Oneglanceandsmileplacedthestrangeronafootingofinnocentfamiliaritywiththeeldestdaughter。
　　’Ah，thisfireistherightthing！’criedhe；’especiallywhenthereissuchapleasantcircleroundit。Iamquitebenumbed；fortheNotchisjustlikethepipeofagreatpairofbellows；ithasblownaterribleblastinmyfaceallthewayfromBartlett。’
　　’ThenyouaregoingtowardsVermont？’saidthemasterofthehouse，ashehelpedtotakealightknapsackofftheyoungman’sshoulders。
　　’Yes；toBurlington，andfarenoughbeyond，’repliedhe。’ImeanttohavebeenatEthanCrawford’stonight；butapedestrianlingersalongsucharoadasthis。Itisnomatter；for，whenIsawthisgoodfire，andallyourcheerfulfaces，Ifeltasifyouhadkindleditonpurposeforme，andwerewaitingmyarrival。SoIshallsitdownamongyou，andmakemyselfathome。’
　　Thefrank-heartedstrangerhadjustdrawnhischairtothefirewhensomethinglikeaheavyfootstepwasheardwithout，rushingdownthesteepsideofthemountain，aswithlongandrapidstrides，andtakingsuchaleapinpassingthecottageastostriketheoppositeprecipice。
　　Thefamilyheldtheirbreath，becausetheyknewthesound，andtheirguestheldhisbyinstinct。
　　’Theoldmountainhasthrownastoneatus，forfearweshouldforgethim，’saidthelandlord，recoveringhimself。’Hesometimesnodshisheadandthreatenstocomedown；butweareoldneighbors，andagreetogetherprettywelluponthewhole。Besideswehaveasureplaceofrefugehardbyifheshouldbecomingingoodearnest。’
　　Letusnowsupposethestrangertohavefinishedhissupperofbear’smeat；and，byhisnaturalfelicityofmanner，tohaveplacedhimselfonafootingofkindnesswiththewholefamily，sothattheytalkedasfreelytogetherasifhebelongedtotheirmountainbrood。Hewasofaproud，yetgentlespirit——haughtyandreservedamongtherichandgreat；buteverreadytostoophisheadtothelowlycottagedoor，andbelikeabrotherorasonatthepoorman’sfireside。InthehouseholdoftheNotchhefoundwarmthandsimplicityoffeeling，thepervadingintelligenceofNewEngland，andapoetryofnativegrowth，whichtheyhadgatheredwhentheylittlethoughtofitfromthemountainpeaksandchasms，andattheverythresholdoftheirromanticanddangerousabode。Hehadtravelledfarandalone；hiswholelife，indeed，hadbeenasolitarypath；for，withtheloftycautionofhisnature，hehadkepthimselfapartfromthosewhomightotherwisehavebeenhiscompanions。Thefamily，too，thoughsokindandhospitable，hadthatconsciousnessofunityamongthemselves，andseparationfromtheworldatlarge，which，ineverydomesticcircle，shouldstillkeepaholyplacewherenostrangermayintrude。Butthiseveningapropheticsympathyimpelledtherefinedandeducatedyouthtopourouthisheartbeforethesimplemountaineers，andconstrainedthemtoanswerhimwiththesamefreeconfidence。Andthusitshouldhavebeen。Isnotthekindredofacommonfateaclosertiethanthatofbirth？
　　Thesecretoftheyoungman’scharacterwasahighandabstractedambition。Hecouldhavebornetoliveanundistinguishedlife，butnottobeforgotteninthegrave。Yearningdesirehadbeentransformedtohope；andhope，longcherished，hadbecomelikecertainty，that，obscurelyashejourneyednow，aglorywastobeamonallhispathway-thoughnot，perhaps，whilehewastreadingit。Butwhenposterityshouldgazebackintothegloomofwhatwasnowthepresent，theywouldtracethebrightnessofhisfootsteps，brighteningasmeanergloriesfaded，andconfessthatagiftedonehadpassedfromhiscradletohistombwithnonetorecognizehim。
　　’Asyet，’criedthestranger——hischeekglowingandhiseyeflashingwithenthusiasm-’asyet，Ihavedonenothing。WereItovanishfromtheearthtomorrow，nonewouldknowsomuchofmeasyou：thatanamelessyouthcameupatnightfallfromthevalleyoftheSaco，andopenedhishearttoyouintheevening，andpassedthroughtheNotchbysunrise，andwasseennomore。Notasoulwouldask，’Whowashe？Whitherdidthewanderergo？’ButIcannotdietillIhaveachievedmydestiny。Then，letDeathcome！Ishallhavebuiltmymonument！’
　　Therewasacontinualflowofnaturalemotion，gushingforthamidabstractedreverie，whichenabledthefamilytounderstandthisyoungman’ssentiments，thoughsoforeignfromtheirown。Withquicksensibilityoftheludicrous，heblushedattheardorintowhichhehadbeenbetrayed。