OneoftheBentleysisterscookedthelittleanimalandheateitwithgreatgusto。Theskinhetackedonaboardandsuspendedtheboardbyastringfromhisbedroomwindow。
Thatgavehismindanewturn。Afterthatheneverwentintothewoodswithoutcarryingtheslinginhispocketandhespenthoursshootingatimaginaryanimalsconcealedamongthebrownleavesinthetrees。Thoughtsofhiscomingmanhoodpassedandhewascontenttobeaboywithaboy\'simpulses。
OneSaturdaymorningwhenhewasabouttosetoffforthewoodswiththeslinginhispocketandabagfornutsonhisshoulder，hisgrandfatherstoppedhim。IntheeyesoftheoldmanwasthestrainedseriouslookthatalwaysalittlefrightenedDavid。AtsuchtimesJesseBentley\'seyesdidnotlookstraightaheadbutwaveredandseemedtobelookingatnothing。Somethinglikeaninvisiblecurtainap-
pearedtohavecomebetweenthemanandalltherestoftheworld。\"Iwantyoutocomewithme，\"
hesaidbriefly，andhiseyeslookedovertheboy\'sheadintothesky。\"Wehavesomethingimportanttodotoday。Youmaybringthebagfornutsifyouwish。Itdoesnotmatterandanywaywewillbegoingintothewoods。\"
JesseandDavidsetoutfromtheBentleyfarm-
houseintheoldphaetonthatwasdrawnbythewhitehorse。Whentheyhadgonealonginsilenceforalongwaytheystoppedattheedgeofafieldwhereaflockofsheepweregrazing。Amongthesheepwasalambthathadbeenbornoutofseason，andthisDavidandhisgrandfathercaughtandtiedsotightlythatitlookedlikealittlewhiteball。WhentheydroveonagainJesseletDavidholdthelambinhisarms。\"IsawityesterdayanditputmeinmindofwhatIhavelongwantedtodo，\"hesaid，andagainhelookedawayovertheheadoftheboywiththewavering，uncertainstareinhiseyes。
Afterthefeelingofexaltationthathadcometothefarmerasaresultofhissuccessfulyear，anothermoodhadtakenpossessionofhim。Foralongtimehehadbeengoingaboutfeelingveryhumbleandprayerful。AgainhewalkedaloneatnightthinkingofGodandashewalkedheagainconnectedhisownfigurewiththefiguresofolddays。Underthestarshekneltonthewetgrassandraiseduphisvoiceinprayer。NowhehaddecidedthatlikethemenwhosestoriesfilledthepagesoftheBible，hewouldmakeasacrificetoGod。\"IhavebeengiventheseabundantcropsandGodhasalsosentmeaboywhoiscalledDavid，\"hewhisperedtohimself。
\"PerhapsIshouldhavedonethisthinglongago。\"
HewassorrytheideahadnotcomeintohismindinthedaysbeforehisdaughterLouisehadbeenbornandthoughtthatsurelynowwhenhehaderectedapileofburningsticksinsomelonelyplaceinthewoodsandhadofferedthebodyofalambasaburntoffering，Godwouldappeartohimandgivehimamessage。
Moreandmoreashethoughtofthematter，hethoughtalsoofDavidandhispassionateself-lovewaspartiallyforgotten。\"Itistimefortheboytobeginthinkingofgoingoutintotheworldandthemessagewillbeoneconcerninghim，\"hedecided。
\"Godwillmakeapathwayforhim。HewilltellmewhatplaceDavidistotakeinlifeandwhenheshallsetoutonhisjourney。Itisrightthattheboyshouldbethere。IfIamfortunateandanangelofGodshouldappear，DavidwillseethebeautyandgloryofGodmademanifesttoman。ItwillmakeatruemanofGodofhimalso。\"
InsilenceJesseandDaviddrovealongtheroaduntiltheycametothatplacewhereJessehadoncebeforeappealedtoGodandhadfrightenedhisgrandson。Themorninghadbeenbrightandcheer-
ful，butacoldwindnowbegantoblowandcloudshidthesun。WhenDavidsawtheplacetowhichtheyhadcomehebegantotremblewithfright，andwhentheystoppedbythebridgewherethecreekcamedownfromamongthetrees，hewantedtospringoutofthephaetonandrunaway。
AdozenplansforescaperanthroughDavid\'shead，butwhenJessestoppedthehorseandclimbedoverthefenceintothewood，hefollowed。\"Itisfoolishtobeafraid。Nothingwillhappen，\"hetoldhimselfashewentalongwiththelambinhisarms。
Therewassomethinginthehelplessnessofthelittleanimalheldsotightlyinhisarmsthatgavehimcourage。Hecouldfeeltherapidbeatingofthebeast\'sheartandthatmadehisownheartbeatlessrapidly。Ashewalkedswiftlyalongbehindhisgrandfather，heuntiedthestringwithwhichthefourlegsofthelambwerefastenedtogether。\"Ifanythinghappenswewillrunawaytogether，\"hethought。
Inthewoods，aftertheyhadgonealongwayfromtheroad，Jessestoppedinanopeningamongthetreeswhereaclearing，overgrownwithsmallbushes，ranupfromthecreek。Hewasstillsilentbutbeganatoncetoerectaheapofdrystickswhichhepresentlysetafire。Theboysatonthegroundwiththelambinhisarms。Hisimaginationbegantoinvesteverymovementoftheoldmanwithsignifi-
canceandhebecameeverymomentmoreafraid。\"I
mustputthebloodofthelambontheheadoftheboy，\"Jessemutteredwhenthestickshadbeguntoblazegreedily，andtakingalongknifefromhispocketheturnedandwalkedrapidlyacrosstheclearingtowardDavid。
Terrorseizeduponthesouloftheboy。Hewassickwithit。Foramomenthesatperfectlystillandthenhisbodystiffenedandhesprangtohisfeet。
Hisfacebecameaswhiteasthefleeceofthelambthat，nowfindingitselfsuddenlyreleased，randownthehill。Davidranalso。Fearmadehisfeetfly。Overthelowbushesandlogsheleapedfrantically。Asheranheputhishandintohispocketandtookoutthebranchedstickfromwhichtheslingforshootingsquirrelswassuspended。Whenhecametothecreekthatwasshallowandsplasheddownoverthestones，hedashedintothewaterandturnedtolookback，andwhenhesawhisgrandfatherstillrunningtowardhimwiththelongknifeheldtightlyinhishandhedidnothesitate，butreachingdown，se-
lectedastoneandputitinthesling。Withallhisstrengthhedrewbacktheheavyrubberbandsandthestonewhistledthroughtheair。IthitJesse，whohadentirelyforgottentheboyandwaspursuingthelamb，squarelyinthehead。Withagroanhepitchedforwardandfellalmostattheboy\'sfeet。WhenDavidsawthathelaystillandthathewasappar-
entlydead，hisfrightincreasedimmeasurably。Itbe-
cameaninsanepanic。
Withacryheturnedandranoffthroughthewoodsweepingconvulsively。\"Idon\'tcare——Ikilledhim，butIdon\'tcare，\"hesobbed。AsheranonandonhedecidedsuddenlythathewouldnevergobackagaintotheBentleyfarmsortothetownofWinesburg。\"IhavekilledthemanofGodandnowIwillmyselfbeamanandgointotheworld，\"hesaidstoutlyashestoppedrunningandwalkedrap-
idlydownaroadthatfollowedthewindingsofWineCreekasitranthroughfieldsandforestsintothewest。
OnthegroundbythecreekJesseBentleymoveduneasilyabout。Hegroanedandopenedhiseyes。
Foralongtimehelayperfectlystillandlookedatthesky。Whenatlasthegottohisfeet，hismindwasconfusedandhewasnotsurprisedbytheboy\'sdisappearance。BytheroadsidehesatdownonalogandbegantotalkaboutGod。Thatisalltheyevergotoutofhim。WheneverDavid\'snamewasmentionedhelookedvaguelyattheskyandsaidthatamessengerfromGodhadtakentheboy。\"IthappenedbecauseIwastoogreedyforglory，\"hedeclared，andwouldhavenomoretosayinthematter。
AMANOFIDEAS
HELIVEDWITHhismother，agrey，silentwomanwithapeculiarashycomplexion。Thehouseinwhichtheylivedstoodinalittlegroveoftreesbe-
yondwherethemainstreetofWinesburgcrossedWineCreek。HisnamewasJoeWelling，andhisfa-
therhadbeenamanofsomedignityinthecommu-
nity，alawyer，andamemberofthestatelegislatureatColumbus。Joehimselfwassmallofbodyandinhischaracterunlikeanyoneelseintown。Hewaslikeatinylittlevolcanothatliessilentfordaysandthensuddenlyspoutsfire。No，hewasn\'tlikethat——
hewaslikeamanwhoissubjecttofits，onewhowalksamonghisfellowmeninspiringfearbecauseafitmaycomeuponhimsuddenlyandblowhimawayintoastrangeuncannyphysicalstateinwhichhiseyesrollandhislegsandarmsjerk。Hewaslikethat，onlythatthevisitationthatdescendeduponJoeWellingwasamentalandnotaphysicalthing。
Hewasbesetbyideasandinthethroesofoneofhisideaswasuncontrollable。Wordsrolledandtumbledfromhismouth。Apeculiarsmilecameuponhislips。Theedgesofhisteeththatweretippedwithgoldglistenedinthelight。Pouncinguponaby-
standerhebegantotalk。Forthebystandertherewasnoescape。Theexcitedmanbreathedintohisface，peeredintohiseyes，poundeduponhischestwithashakingforefinger，demanded，compelledattention。
InthosedaystheStandardOilCompanydidnotdeliveroiltotheconsumerinbigwagonsandmotortrucksasitdoesnow，butdeliveredinsteadtoretailgrocers，hardwarestores，andthelike。JoewastheStandardOilagentinWinesburgandinseveraltownsupanddowntherailroadthatwentthroughWinesburg。Hecollectedbills，bookedorders，anddidotherthings。Hisfather，thelegislator，hadse-
curedthejobforhim。
InandoutofthestoresofWinesburgwentJoeWelling——silent，excessivelypolite，intentuponhisbusiness。Menwatchedhimwitheyesinwhichlurkedamusementtemperedbyalarm。Theywerewaitingforhimtobreakforth，preparingtoflee。
Althoughtheseizuresthatcameuponhimwereharmlessenough，theycouldnotbelaughedaway。
Theywereoverwhelming。Astrideanidea，Joewasovermastering。Hispersonalitybecamegigantic。Itoverrodethemantowhomhetalked，swepthimaway，sweptallaway，allwhostoodwithinsoundofhisvoice。
InSylvesterWest\'sDrugStorestoodfourmenwhoweretalkingofhorseracing。WesleyMoyer\'sstallion，TonyTip，wastoraceattheJunemeetingatTiffin，Ohio，andtherewasarumorthathewouldmeetthestiffestcompetitionofhiscareer。ItwassaidthatPopGeers，thegreatracingdriver，wouldhimselfbethere。AdoubtofthesuccessofTonyTiphungheavyintheairofWinesburg。
IntothedrugstorecameJoeWelling，brushingthescreendoorviolentlyaside。Withastrangeab-
sorbedlightinhiseyeshepounceduponEdThomas，hewhoknewPopGeersandwhoseopin-
ionofTonyTip\'schanceswasworthconsidering。
\"ThewaterisupinWineCreek，\"criedJoeWel-
lingwiththeairofPheidippidesbringingnewsofthevictoryoftheGreeksinthestruggleatMara-
thon。HisfingerbeatatattoouponEdThomas\'sbroadchest。\"ByTrunionbridgeitiswithinelevenandahalfinchesoftheflooring，\"hewenton，thewordscomingquicklyandwithalittlewhistlingnoisefrombetweenhisteeth。Anexpressionofhelp-
lessannoyancecreptoverthefacesofthefour。
\"Ihavemyfactscorrect。Dependuponthat。I
wenttoSinnings\'HardwareStoreandgotarule。
ThenIwentbackandmeasured。Icouldhardlybe-
lievemyowneyes。Ithasn\'trainedyouseefortendays。AtfirstIdidn\'tknowwhattothink。Thoughtsrushedthroughmyhead。Ithoughtofsubterraneanpassagesandsprings。Downunderthegroundwentmymind，delvingabout。Isatonthefloorofthebridgeandrubbedmyhead。Therewasn\'tacloudinthesky，notone。Comeoutintothestreetandyou\'llsee。Therewasn\'tacloud。Thereisn\'tacloudnow。Yes，therewasacloud。Idon\'twanttokeepbackanyfacts。Therewasacloudinthewestdownnearthehorizon，acloudnobiggerthanaman\'shand。
\"NotthatIthinkthathasanythingtodowithit。
Thereitis，yousee。YouunderstandhowpuzzledI
was。
\"Thenanideacametome。Ilaughed。You\'lllaugh，too。OfcourseitrainedoverinMedinaCounty。That\'sinteresting，eh？Ifwehadnotrains，nomails，notelegraph，wewouldknowthatitrainedoverinMedinaCounty。That\'swhereWineCreekcomesfrom。Everyoneknowsthat。LittleoldWineCreekbroughtusthenews。That\'sinteresting。
Ilaughed。IthoughtI\'dtellyou——it\'sinteresting，eh？\"
JoeWellingturnedandwentoutatthedoor。Tak-
ingabookfromhispocket，hestoppedandranafingerdownoneofthepages。Againhewasab-
sorbedinhisdutiesasagentoftheStandardOilCompany。\"Hern\'sGrocerywillbegettinglowoncoaloil。I\'llseethem，\"hemuttered，hurryingalongthestreet，andbowingpolitelytotherightandleftatthepeoplewalkingpast。
WhenGeorgeWillardwenttoworkfortheWines-
burgEaglehewasbesiegedbyJoeWelling。Joeen-
viedtheboy。ItseemedtohimthathewasmeantbyNaturetobeareporteronanewspaper。\"ItiswhatIshouldbedoing，thereisnodoubtofthat，\"
hedeclared，stoppingGeorgeWillardontheside-
walkbeforeDaugherty\'sFeedStore。Hiseyesbegantoglistenandhisforefingertotremble。\"OfcourseImakemoremoneywiththeStandardOilCompanyandI\'monlytellingyou，\"headded。\"I\'vegotnoth-
ingagainstyoubutIshouldhaveyourplace。Icoulddotheworkatoddmoments。HereandthereI
wouldrunfindingoutthingsyou\'llneversee。\"
BecomingmoreexcitedJoeWellingcrowdedtheyoungreporteragainstthefrontofthefeedstore。
Heappearedtobelostinthought，rollinghiseyesaboutandrunningathinnervoushandthroughhishair。Asmilespreadoverhisfaceandhisgoldteethglittered。\"Yougetoutyournotebook，\"hecom-
manded。\"Youcarryalittlepadofpaperinyourpocket，don\'tyou？Iknewyoudid。Well，yousetthisdown。Ithoughtofittheotherday。Let\'stakedecay。Nowwhatisdecay？It\'sfire。Itburnsupwoodandotherthings。Youneverthoughtofthat？
Ofcoursenot。Thissidewalkhereandthisfeedstore，thetreesdownthestreetthere——they\'reallonfire。They\'reburningup。Decayyouseeisalwaysgoingon。Itdoesn\'tstop。Waterandpaintcan\'tstopit。Ifathingisiron，thenwhat？Itrusts，yousee。
That\'sfire，too。Theworldisonfire。Startyourpiecesinthepaperthatway。Justsayinbigletters\'TheWorldIsOnFire。\'Thatwillmake\'emlookup。
They\'llsayyou\'reasmartone。Idon\'tcare。Idon\'tenvyyou。Ijustsnatchedthatideaoutoftheair。I
wouldmakeanewspaperhum。Yougottoadmitthat。\"\'
Turningquickly，JoeWellingwalkedrapidlyaway。
Whenhehadtakenseveralstepshestoppedandlookedback。\"I\'mgoingtosticktoyou，\"hesaid。
\"I\'mgoingtomakeyouaregularhummer。Ishouldstartanewspapermyself，that\'swhatIshoulddo。
I\'dbeamarvel。Everybodyknowsthat。\"
WhenGeorgeWillardhadbeenforayearontheWinesburgEagle，fourthingshappenedtoJoeWel-
ling。Hismotherdied，hecametoliveattheNewWillardHouse，hebecameinvolvedinaloveaffair，andheorganizedtheWinesburgBaseballClub。
Joeorganizedthebaseballclubbecausehewantedtobeacoachandinthatpositionhebegantowintherespectofhistownsmen。\"Heisawonder，\"theydeclaredafterJoe\'steamhadwhippedtheteamfromMedinaCounty。\"Hegetseverybodyworkingtogether。Youjustwatchhim。\"
UponthebaseballfieldJoeWellingstoodbyfirstbase，hiswholebodyquiveringwithexcitement。Inspiteofthemselvesalltheplayerswatchedhimclosely。Theopposingpitcherbecameconfused。
\"Now!Now!Now!Now!\"shoutedtheexcitedman。\"Watchme!Watchme!Watchmyfingers!
Watchmyhands!Watchmyfeet!Watchmyeyes!
Let\'sworktogetherhere!Watchme!Inmeyouseeallthemovementsofthegame!Workwithme!
Workwithme!Watchme!Watchme!Watchme!\"
WithrunnersoftheWinesburgteamonbases，JoeWellingbecameasoneinspired。Beforetheyknewwhathadcomeoverthem，thebaserunnerswerewatchingtheman，edgingoffthebases，advancing，retreating，heldasbyaninvisiblecord。TheplayersoftheopposingteamalsowatchedJoe。Theywerefascinated。Foramomenttheywatchedandthen，asthoughtobreakaspellthathungoverthem，theybeganhurlingtheballwildlyabout，andamidase-
riesoffierceanimal-likecriesfromthecoach，therunnersoftheWinesburgteamscamperedhome。
JoeWelling\'sloveaffairsetthetownofWinesburgonedge。Whenitbeganeveryonewhisperedandshookhishead。Whenpeopletriedtolaugh，thelaughterwasforcedandunnatural。JoefellinlovewithSarahKing，alean，sad-lookingwomanwholivedwithherfatherandbrotherinabrickhousethatstoodoppositethegateleadingtotheWines-
burgCemetery。
ThetwoKings，Edwardthefather，andTomtheson，werenotpopularinWinesburg。Theywerecalledproudanddangerous。TheyhadcometoWinesburgfromsomeplaceintheSouthandranacidermillontheTrunionPike。TomKingwasre-
portedtohavekilledamanbeforehecametoWinesburg。Hewastwenty-sevenyearsoldandrodeabouttownonagreypony。Alsohehadalongyellowmustachethatdroppeddownoverhisteeth，andalwayscarriedaheavy，wicked-lookingwalkingstickinhishand。Oncehekilledadogwiththestick。ThedogbelongedtoWinPawsey，theshoemerchant，andstoodonthesidewalkwaggingitstail。TomKingkilleditwithoneblow。Hewasar-
restedandpaidafineoftendollars。
OldEdwardKingwassmallofstatureandwhenhepassedpeopleinthestreetlaughedaqueerun-
mirthfullaugh。Whenhelaughedhescratchedhisleftelbowwithhisrighthand。Thesleeveofhiscoatwasalmostwornthroughfromthehabit。Ashewalkedalongthestreet，lookingnervouslyaboutandlaughing，heseemedmoredangerousthanhissilent，fierce-lookingson。
WhenSarahKingbeganwalkingoutintheeve-
ningwithJoeWelling，peopleshooktheirheadsinalarm。Shewastallandpaleandhaddarkringsunderhereyes。Thecouplelookedridiculousto-
gether。UnderthetreestheywalkedandJoetalked。
Hispassionateeagerprotestationsoflove，heardcomingoutofthedarknessbythecemeterywall，orfromthedeepshadowsofthetreesonthehillthatranuptotheFairGroundsfromWaterworksPond，wererepeatedinthestores。MenstoodbythebarintheNewWillardHouselaughingandtalkingofJoe\'scourtship。Afterthelaughtercamethesilence。
TheWinesburgbaseballteam，underhismanage-
ment，waswinninggameaftergame，andthetownhadbeguntorespecthim。Sensingatragedy，theywaited，laughingnervously。
LateonaSaturdayafternoonthemeetingbetweenJoeWellingandthetwoKings，theanticipationofwhichhadsetthetownonedge，tookplaceinJoeWelling\'sroomintheNewWillardHouse。GeorgeWillardwasawitnesstothemeeting。Itcameaboutinthisway:
WhentheyoungreporterwenttohisroomaftertheeveningmealhesawTomKingandhisfathersittinginthehalfdarknessinJoe\'sroom。Thesonhadtheheavywalkingstickinhishandandsatnearthedoor。OldEdwardKingwalkednervouslyabout，scratchinghisleftelbowwithhisrighthand。Thehallwayswereemptyandsilent。
GeorgeWillardwenttohisownroomandsatdownathisdesk。Hetriedtowritebuthishandtrembledsothathecouldnotholdthepen。Healsowalkednervouslyupanddown。LiketherestofthetownofWinesburghewasperplexedandknewnotwhattodo。
Itwasseven-thirtyandfastgrowingdarkwhenJoeWellingcamealongthestationplatformtowardtheNewWillardHouse。Inhisarmsheheldabun-
dleofweedsandgrasses。Inspiteoftheterrorthatmadehisbodyshake，GeorgeWillardwasamusedatthesightofthesmallspryfigureholdingthegrassesandhalfrunningalongtheplatform。
Shakingwithfrightandanxiety，theyoungre-
porterlurkedinthehallwayoutsidethedooroftheroominwhichJoeWellingtalkedtothetwoKings。
Therehadbeenanoath，thenervousgiggleofoldEdwardKing，andthensilence。NowthevoiceofJoeWelling，sharpandclear，brokeforth。GeorgeWillardbegantolaugh。Heunderstood。Ashehadsweptallmenbeforehim，sonowJoeWellingwascarryingthetwomenintheroomofftheirfeetwithatidalwaveofwords。Thelistenerinthehallwalkedupanddown，lostinamazement。
InsidetheroomJoeWellinghadpaidnoattentiontothegrumbledthreatofTomKing。Absorbedinanideaheclosedthedoorand，lightingalamp，spreadthehandfulofweedsandgrassesuponthefloor。\"I\'vegotsomethinghere，\"heannouncedsol-
emnly。\"IwasgoingtotellGeorgeWillardaboutit，lethimmakeapieceoutofitforthepaper。I\'mgladyou\'rehere。IwishSarahwereherealso。I\'vebeengoingtocometoyourhouseandtellyouofsomeofmyideas。They\'reinteresting。Sarahwouldn\'tletme。Shesaidwe\'dquarrel。That\'sfoolish。\"
Runningupanddownbeforethetwoperplexedmen，JoeWellingbegantoexplain。\"Don\'tyoumakeamistakenow，\"hecried。\"Thisissomethingbig。\"
Hisvoicewasshrillwithexcitement。\"Youjustfol-
lowme，you\'llbeinterested。Iknowyouwill。Sup-
posethis——supposeallofthewheat，thecorn，theoats，thepeas，thepotatoes，wereallbysomemira-
clesweptaway。Nowhereweare，yousee，inthiscounty。Thereisahighfencebuiltallaroundus。
We\'llsupposethat。Noonecangetoverthefenceandallthefruitsoftheeartharedestroyed，nothingleftbutthesewildthings，thesegrasses。Wouldwebedonefor？Iaskyouthat。Wouldwebedonefor？\"
AgainTomKinggrowledandforamomenttherewassilenceintheroom。ThenagainJoeplungedintotheexpositionofhisidea。\"Thingswouldgohardforatime。Iadmitthat。I\'vegottoadmitthat。
Nogettingaroundit。We\'dbehardputtoit。Morethanonefatstomachwouldcavein。Buttheycouldn\'tdownus。Ishouldsaynot。\"
TomKinglaughedgoodnaturedlyandtheshiv-
ery，nervouslaughofEdwardKingrangthroughthehouse。JoeWellinghurriedon。\"We\'dbegin，yousee，tobreedupnewvegetablesandfruits。Soonwe\'dregainallwehadlost。Mind，Idon\'tsaythenewthingswouldbethesameastheold。Theywouldn\'t。Maybethey\'dbebetter，maybenotsogood。That\'sinteresting，eh？Youcanthinkaboutthat。Itstartsyourmindworking，nowdon\'tit？\"
IntheroomtherewassilenceandthenagainoldEdwardKinglaughednervously。\"Say，IwishSarahwashere，\"criedJoeWelling。\"Let\'sgouptoyourhouse。Iwanttotellherofthis。\"
Therewasascrapingofchairsintheroom。ItwasthenthatGeorgeWillardretreatedtohisownroom。
LeaningoutatthewindowhesawJoeWellinggoingalongthestreetwiththetwoKings。TomKingwasforcedtotakeextraordinarylongstridestokeeppacewiththelittleman。Ashestrodealong，heleanedover，listening——absorbed，fascinated。JoeWellingagaintalkedexcitedly。\"Takemilkweednow，\"hecried。\"Alotmightbedonewithmilk-
weed，eh？It\'salmostunbelievable。Iwantyoutothinkaboutit。Iwantyoutwotothinkaboutit。
Therewouldbeanewvegetablekingdomyousee。
It\'sinteresting，eh？It\'sanidea。WaittillyouseeSarah，she\'llgettheidea。She\'llbeinterested。Sarahisalwaysinterestedinideas。Youcan\'tbetoosmartforSarah，nowcanyou？Ofcourseyoucan\'t。Youknowthat。\"
ADVENTURE
ALICEHINDMAN，awomanoftwenty-sevenwhenGeorgeWillardwasamereboy，hadlivedinWines-
burgallherlife。SheclerkedinWinney\'sDryGoodsStoreandlivedwithhermother，whohadmarriedasecondhusband。
Alice\'sstep-fatherwasacarriagepainter，andgiventodrink。Hisstoryisanoddone。Itwillbeworthtellingsomeday。
Attwenty-sevenAlicewastallandsomewhatslight。Herheadwaslargeandovershadowedherbody。Hershoulderswerealittlestoopedandherhairandeyesbrown。Shewasveryquietbutbeneathaplacidexterioracontinualfermentwenton。
Whenshewasagirlofsixteenandbeforeshebegantoworkinthestore，Alicehadanaffairwithayoungman。Theyoungman，namedNedCurrie，wasolderthanAlice。He，likeGeorgeWillard，wasemployedontheWinesburgEagleandforalongtimehewenttoseeAlicealmosteveryevening。Togetherthetwowalkedunderthetreesthroughthestreetsofthetownandtalkedofwhattheywoulddowiththeirlives。AlicewasthenaveryprettygirlandNedCurrietookherintohisarmsandkissedher。HebecameexcitedandsaidthingshedidnotintendtosayandAlice，betrayedbyherdesiretohavesome-
thingbeautifulcomeintoherrathernarrowlife，alsogrewexcited。Shealsotalked。Theoutercrustofherlife，allofhernaturaldiffidenceandreserve，wastomawayandshegaveherselfovertotheemotionsoflove。When，lateinthefallofhersixteenthyear，NedCurriewentawaytoClevelandwherehehopedtogetaplaceonacitynewspaperandriseintheworld，shewantedtogowithhim。Withatremblingvoiceshetoldhimwhatwasinhermind。\"Iwillworkandyoucanwork，\"shesaid。\"Idonotwanttoharnessyoutoaneedlessexpensethatwillpre-
ventyourmakingprogress。Don\'tmarrymenow。
Wewillgetalongwithoutthatandwecanbeto-
gether。Eventhoughweliveinthesamehousenoonewillsayanything。Inthecitywewillbeun-
knownandpeoplewillpaynoattentiontous。\"
NedCurriewaspuzzledbythedeterminationandabandonofhissweetheartandwasalsodeeplytouched。Hehadwantedthegirltobecomehismis-
tressbutchangedhismind。Hewantedtoprotectandcareforher。\"Youdon\'tknowwhatyou\'retalk-
ingabout，\"hesaidsharply；\"youmaybesureI\'llletyoudonosuchthing。AssoonasIgetagoodjobI\'llcomeback。Forthepresentyou\'llhavetostayhere。It\'stheonlythingwecando。\"
OntheeveningbeforeheleftWinesburgtotakeuphisnewlifeinthecity，NedCurriewenttocallonAlice。TheywalkedaboutthroughthestreetsforanhourandthengotarigfromWesleyMoyer\'sliveryandwentforadriveinthecountry。Themooncameupandtheyfoundthemselvesunabletotalk。
Inhissadnesstheyoungmanforgottheresolutionshehadmaderegardinghisconductwiththegirl。
TheygotoutofthebuggyataplacewherealongmeadowrandowntothebankofWineCreekandthereinthedimlightbecamelovers。Whenatmid-
nighttheyreturnedtotowntheywerebothglad。Itdidnotseemtothemthatanythingthatcouldhap-
peninthefuturecouldblotoutthewonderandbeautyofthethingthathadhappened。\"Nowwewillhavetosticktoeachother，whateverhappenswewillhavetodothat，\"NedCurriesaidasheleftthegirlatherfather\'sdoor。
Theyoungnewspapermandidnotsucceedinget-
tingaplaceonaClevelandpaperandwentwesttoChicago。ForatimehewaslonelyandwrotetoAlicealmosteveryday。Thenhewascaughtupbythelifeofthecity；hebegantomakefriendsandfoundnewinterestsinlife。InChicagoheboardedatahousewheretherewereseveralwomen。OneofthemattractedhisattentionandheforgotAliceinWinesburg。Attheendofayearhehadstoppedwritingletters，andonlyonceinalongtime，whenhewaslonelyorwhenhewentintooneofthecityparksandsawthemoonshiningonthegrassasithadshonethatnightonthemeadowbyWineCreek，didhethinkofheratall。
InWinesburgthegirlwhohadbeenlovedgrewtobeawoman。Whenshewastwenty-twoyearsoldherfather，whoownedaharnessrepairshop，diedsuddenly。Theharnessmakerwasanoldsoldier，andafterafewmonthshiswifereceivedawidow\'spension。Sheusedthefirstmoneyshegottobuyaloomandbecameaweaverofcarpets，andAlicegotaplaceinWinney\'sstore。ForanumberofyearsnothingcouldhaveinducedhertobelievethatNedCurriewouldnotintheendreturntoher。
Shewasgladtobeemployedbecausethedailyroundoftoilinthestoremadethetimeofwaitingseemlesslonganduninteresting。Shebegantosavemoney，thinkingthatwhenshehadsavedtwoorthreehundreddollarsshewouldfollowherlovertothecityandtryifherpresencewouldnotwinbackhisaffections。
AlicedidnotblameNedCurrieforwhathadhap-
penedinthemoonlightinthefield，butfeltthatshecouldnevermarryanotherman。ToherthethoughtofgivingtoanotherwhatshestillfeltcouldbelongonlytoNedseemedmonstrous。Whenotheryoungmentriedtoattractherattentionshewouldhavenothingtodowiththem。\"Iamhiswifeandshallremainhiswifewhetherhecomesbackornot，\"shewhisperedtoherself，andforallofherwillingnesstosupportherselfcouldnothaveunderstoodthegrowingmodernideaofawoman\'sowningherselfandgivingandtakingforherownendsinlife。
Aliceworkedinthedrygoodsstorefromeightinthemorninguntilsixatnightandonthreeeveningsaweekwentbacktothestoretostayfromsevenuntilnine。Astimepassedandshebecamemoreandmorelonelyshebegantopracticethedevicescommontolonelypeople。Whenatnightshewentupstairsintoherownroomshekneltonthefloortoprayandinherprayerswhisperedthingsshewantedtosaytoherlover。Shebecameattachedtoinanimateobjects，andbecauseitwasherown，couldnotbaretohaveanyonetouchthefurnitureofherroom。Thetrickofsavingmoney，begunforapurpose，wascarriedonaftertheschemeofgoingtothecitytofindNedCurriehadbeengivenup。Itbecameafixedhabit，andwhensheneedednewclothesshedidnotgetthem。Sometimesonrainyafternoonsinthestoreshegotoutherbankbookand，lettingitlieopenbeforeher，spenthoursdreamingimpossibledreamsofsavingmoneyenoughsothattheinterestwouldsupportbothherselfandherfuturehusband。
\"Nedalwayslikedtotravelabout，\"shethought。
\"I\'llgivehimthechance。SomedaywhenwearemarriedandIcansavebothhismoneyandmyown，wewillberich。Thenwecantraveltogetherallovertheworld。\"
InthedrygoodsstoreweeksranintomonthsandmonthsintoyearsasAlicewaitedanddreamedofherlover\'sreturn。Heremployer，agreyoldmanwithfalseteethandathingreymustachethatdroopeddownoverhismouth，wasnotgiventoconversation，andsometimes，onrainydaysandinthewinterwhenastormragedinMainStreet，longhourspassedwhennocustomerscamein。Alicear-
rangedandrearrangedthestock。Shestoodnearthefrontwindowwhereshecouldlookdownthede-
sertedstreetandthoughtoftheeveningswhenshehadwalkedwithNedCurrieandofwhathehadsaid。\"Wewillhavetosticktoeachothernow。\"Thewordsechoedandre-echoedthroughthemindofthematuringwoman。Tearscameintohereyes。
Sometimeswhenheremployerhadgoneoutandshewasaloneinthestoresheputherheadonthecounterandwept。\"Oh，Ned，Iamwaiting，\"shewhisperedoverandover，andallthetimethecreep-
ingfearthathewouldnevercomebackgrewstrongerwithinher。
Inthespringwhentherainshavepassedandbe-
forethelonghotdaysofsummerhavecome，thecountryaboutWinesburgisdelightful。Thetownliesinthemidstofopenfields，butbeyondthefieldsarepleasantpatchesofwoodlands。Inthewoodedplacesaremanylittlecloisterednooks，quietplaceswhereloversgotositonSundayafternoons。Throughthetreestheylookoutacrossthefieldsandseefarmersatworkaboutthebarnsorpeopledrivingupanddownontheroads。Inthetownbellsringandoccasionallyatrainpasses，lookinglikeatoythinginthedistance。
ForseveralyearsafterNedCurriewentawayAlicedidnotgointothewoodwiththeotheryoungpeopleonSunday，butonedayafterhehadbeengonefortwoorthreeyearsandwhenherlonelinessseemedunbearable，sheputonherbestdressandsetout。Findingalittleshelteredplacefromwhichshecouldseethetownandalongstretchofthefields，shesatdown。Fearofageandineffectualitytookpossessionofher。Shecouldnotsitstill，andarose。Asshestoodlookingoutoverthelandsome-
thing，perhapsthethoughtofneverceasinglifeasitexpressesitselfintheflowoftheseasons，fixedhermindonthepassingyears。Withashiverofdread，sherealizedthatforherthebeautyandfresh-
nessofyouthhadpassed。Forthefirsttimeshefeltthatshehadbeencheated。ShedidnotblameNedCurrieanddidnotknowwhattoblame。Sadnesssweptoverher。Droppingtoherknees，shetriedtopray，butinsteadofprayerswordsofprotestcametoherlips。\"Itisnotgoingtocometome。Iwillneverfindhappiness。WhydoItellmyselflies？\"
shecried，andanoddsenseofreliefcamewiththis，herfirstboldattempttofacethefearthathadbe-
comeapartofhereverydaylife。
IntheyearwhenAliceHindmanbecametwenty-
fivetwothingshappenedtodisturbthedullun-
eventfulnessofherdays。HermothermarriedBushMilton，thecarriagepainterofWinesburg，andsheherselfbecameamemberoftheWinesburgMethod-
istChurch。Alicejoinedthechurchbecauseshehadbecomefrightenedbythelonelinessofherpositioninlife。Hermother\'ssecondmarriagehadempha-
sizedherisolation。\"Iambecomingoldandqueer。
IfNedcomeshewillnotwantme。Inthecitywhereheislivingmenareperpetuallyyoung。Thereissomuchgoingonthattheydonothavetimetogrowold，\"shetoldherselfwithagrimlittlesmile，andwentresolutelyaboutthebusinessofbecomingac-
quaintedwithpeople。EveryThursdayeveningwhenthestorehadclosedshewenttoaprayermeetinginthebasementofthechurchandonSundayeveningattendedameetingofanorganizationcalledTheEpworthLeague。
WhenWillHurley，amiddle-agedmanwhoclerkedinadrugstoreandwhoalsobelongedtothechurch，offeredtowalkhomewithhershedidnotprotest。
\"OfcourseIwillnotlethimmakeapracticeofbeingwithme，butifhecomestoseemeonceinalongtimetherecanbenoharminthat，\"shetoldherself，stilldeterminedinherloyaltytoNedCurrie。
Withoutrealizingwhatwashappening，Alicewastryingfeeblyatfirst，butwithgrowingdetermina-
tion，togetanewholduponlife。Besidethedrugclerkshewalkedinsilence，butsometimesinthedarknessastheywentstolidlyalongsheputoutherhandandtouchedsoftlythefoldsofhiscoat。Whenheleftheratthegatebeforehermother\'shouseshedidnotgoindoors，butstoodforamomentbythedoor。Shewantedtocalltothedrugclerk，toaskhimtositwithherinthedarknessontheporchbeforethehouse，butwasafraidhewouldnotun-
derstand。\"ItisnothimthatIwant，\"shetoldher-
self；\"Iwanttoavoidbeingsomuchalone。IfIamnotcarefulIwillgrowunaccustomedtobeingwithpeople。\"
Duringtheearlyfallofhertwenty-seventhyearapassionaterestlessnesstookpossessionofAlice。Shecouldnotbeartobeinthecompanyofthedrugclerk，andwhen，intheevening，hecametowalkwithhershesenthimaway。Hermindbecamein-
tenselyactiveandwhen，wearyfromthelonghoursofstandingbehindthecounterinthestore，shewenthomeandcrawledintobed，shecouldnotsleep。Withstaringeyesshelookedintothedark-
ness。Herimagination，likeachildawakenedfromlongsleep，playedabouttheroom。Deepwithinhertherewassomethingthatwouldnotbecheatedbyphantasiesandthatdemandedsomedefiniteanswerfromlife。
Alicetookapillowintoherarmsandheldittightlyagainstherbreasts。Gettingoutofbed，shearrangedablanketsothatinthedarknessitlookedlikeaformlyingbetweenthesheetsand，kneelingbesidethebed，shecaressedit，whisperingwordsoverandover，likearefrain。\"Whydoesn\'tsome-
thinghappen？WhyamIleftherealone？\"shemut-
tered。AlthoughshesometimesthoughtofNedCurrie，shenolongerdependedonhim。Herdesirehadgrownvague。ShedidnotwantNedCurrieoranyotherman。Shewantedtobeloved，tohavesomethinganswerthecallthatwasgrowinglouderandlouderwithinher。
AndthenonenightwhenitrainedAlicehadanadventure。Itfrightenedandconfusedher。Shehadcomehomefromthestoreatnineandfoundthehouseempty。BushMiltonhadgoneofftotownandhermothertothehouseofaneighbor。Alicewentupstairstoherroomandundressedinthedarkness。
Foramomentshestoodbythewindowhearingtherainbeatagainsttheglassandthenastrangedesiretookpossessionofher。Withoutstoppingtothinkofwhatsheintendedtodo，sherandownstairsthroughthedarkhouseandoutintotherain。Asshestoodonthelittlegrassplotbeforethehouseandfeltthecoldrainonherbodyamaddesiretorunnakedthroughthestreetstookpossessionofher。
Shethoughtthattherainwouldhavesomecre-
ativeandwonderfuleffectonherbody。Notforyearshadshefeltsofullofyouthandcourage。Shewantedtoleapandrun，tocryout，tofindsomeotherlonelyhumanandembracehim。Onthebricksidewalkbeforethehouseamanstumbledhome-
ward。Alicestartedtorun。Awild，desperatemoodtookpossessionofher。\"WhatdoIcarewhoitis。
Heisalone，andIwillgotohim，\"shethought；andthenwithoutstoppingtoconsiderthepossibleresultofhermadness，calledsoftly。\"Wait!\"shecried。
\"Don\'tgoaway。Whoeveryouare，youmustwait。\"
Themanonthesidewalkstoppedandstoodlis-
tening。Hewasanoldmanandsomewhatdeaf。
Puttinghishandtohismouth，heshouted。\"What？
Whatsay？\"hecalled。
Alicedroppedtothegroundandlaytrembling。
Shewassofrightenedatthethoughtofwhatshehaddonethatwhenthemanhadgoneonhiswayshedidnotdaregettoherfeet，butcrawledonhandsandkneesthroughthegrasstothehouse。
Whenshegottoherownroomsheboltedthedooranddrewherdressingtableacrossthedoorway。
Herbodyshookaswithachillandherhandstrem-
bledsothatshehaddifficultygettingintohernight-
dress。Whenshegotintobedsheburiedherfaceinthepillowandweptbrokenheartedly。\"Whatisthematterwithme？IwilldosomethingdreadfulifI
amnotcareful，\"shethought，andturningherfacetothewall，begantryingtoforceherselftofacebravelythefactthatmanypeoplemustliveanddiealone，eveninWinesburg。
RESPECTABILITY
IFYOUHAVElivedincitiesandhavewalkedintheparkonasummerafternoon，youhaveperhapsseen，blinkinginacornerofhisironcage，ahuge，grotesquekindofmonkey，acreaturewithugly，sag-
ging，hairlessskinbelowhiseyesandabrightpur-
pleunderbody。Thismonkeyisatruemonster。Inthecompletenessofhisuglinessheachievedakindofpervertedbeauty。Childrenstoppingbeforethecagearefascinated，menturnawaywithanairofdisgust，andwomenlingerforamoment，tryingper-
hapstorememberwhichoneoftheirmaleacquain-
tancesthethinginsomefaintwayresembles。
