Oneeveningwhenhewasrecoveringfromalongdebauchthestrangercamereelingalongthemainstreetofthetown。TomHardsatinachairbeforetheNewWillardHousewithhisdaughter，thenachildoffive，onhisknees。BesidehimontheboardsidewalksatyoungGeorgeWillard。Thestrangerdroppedintoachairbesidethem。Hisbodyshookandwhenhetriedtotalkhisvoicetrembled。
Itwaslateeveninganddarknesslayoverthetownandovertherailroadthatranalongthefootofalittleinclinebeforethehotel。Somewhereinthedistance，offtothewest，therewasaprolongedblastfromthewhistleofapassengerengine。Adogthathadbeensleepingintheroadwayaroseandbarked。
Thestrangerbegantobabbleandmadeaprophecyconcerningthechildthatlayinthearmsoftheagnostic。
\"Icameheretoquitdrinking，\"hesaid，andtearsbegantorundownhischeeks。HedidnotlookatTomHard，butleanedforwardandstaredintothedarknessasthoughseeingavision。\"Iranawaytothecountrytobecured，butIamnotcured。Thereisareason。\"Heturnedtolookatthechildwhosatupverystraightonherfather\'skneeandreturnedthelook。
ThestrangertouchedTomHardonthearm。
\"DrinkisnottheonlythingtowhichIamad-
dicted，\"hesaid。\"Thereissomethingelse。Iamaloverandhavenotfoundmythingtolove。ThatisabigpointifyouknowenoughtorealizewhatI
mean。Itmakesmydestructioninevitable，yousee。
Therearefewwhounderstandthat。\"
Thestrangerbecamesilentandseemedovercomewithsadness，butanotherblastfromthewhistleofthepassengerenginearousedhim。\"Ihavenotlostfaith。Iproclaimthat。IhaveonlybeenbroughttotheplacewhereIknowmyfaithwillnotbereal-
ized，\"hedeclaredhoarsely。Helookedhardatthechildandbegantoaddressher，payingnomoreat-
tentiontothefather。\"Thereisawomancoming，\"
hesaid，andhisvoicewasnowsharpandearnest。
\"Ihavemissedher，yousee。Shedidnotcomeinmytime。Youmaybethewoman。Itwouldbelikefatetoletmestandinherpresenceonce，onsuchaneveningasthis，whenIhavedestroyedmyselfwithdrinkandsheisasyetonlyachild。\"
Theshouldersofthestrangershookviolently，andwhenhetriedtorollacigarettethepaperfellfromhistremblingfingers。Hegrewangryandscolded。
\"Theythinkit\'seasytobeawoman，tobeloved，butIknowbetter，\"hedeclared。Againheturnedtothechild。\"Iunderstand，\"hecried。\"PerhapsofallmenIaloneunderstand。\"
Hisglanceagainwanderedawaytothedarkenedstreet。\"Iknowabouther，althoughshehasnevercrossedmypath，\"hesaidsoftly。\"Iknowaboutherstrugglesandherdefeats。Itisbecauseofherdefeatsthatsheistomethelovelyone。Outofherdefeatshasbeenbornanewqualityinwoman。Ihaveanameforit。IcallitTandy。ImadeupthenamewhenIwasatruedreamerandbeforemybodybecamevile。Itisthequalityofbeingstrongtobeloved。Itissomethingmenneedfromwomenandthattheydonotget。\"
ThestrangeraroseandstoodbeforeTomHard。
Hisbodyrockedbackandforthandheseemedabouttofall，butinsteadhedroppedtohiskneesonthesidewalkandraisedthehandsofthelittlegirltohisdrunkenlips。Hekissedthemecstatically。
\"BeTandy，littleone，\"hepleaded。\"Daretobestrongandcourageous。Thatistheroad。Ventureanything。Bebraveenoughtodaretobeloved。Besomethingmorethanmanorwoman。BeTandy。\"
Thestrangeraroseandstaggeredoffdownthestreet。AdayortwolaterhegotaboardatrainandreturnedtohishomeinCleveland。Onthesummerevening，afterthetalkbeforethehotel，TomHardtookthegirlchildtothehouseofarelativewhereshehadbeeninvitedtospendthenight。Ashewentalonginthedarknessunderthetreesheforgotthebabblingvoiceofthestrangerandhismindreturnedtothemakingofargumentsbywhichhemightde-
stroymen\'sfaithinGod。Hespokehisdaughter\'snameandshebegantoweep。
\"Idon\'twanttobecalledthat，\"shedeclared。\"I
wanttobecalledTandy——TandyHard。\"ThechildweptsobitterlythatTomHardwastouchedandtriedtocomforther。Hestoppedbeneathatreeand，takingherintohisarms，begantocaressher。\"Begood，now，\"hesaidsharply；butshewouldnotbequieted。Withchildishabandonshegaveherselfovertogrief，hervoicebreakingtheeveningstillnessofthestreet。\"IwanttobeTandy。IwanttobeTandy。IwanttobeTandyHard，\"shecried，shak-
ingherheadandsobbingasthoughheryoungstrengthwerenotenoughtobearthevisionthewordsofthedrunkardhadbroughttoher。
THESTRENGTHOFGOD
THEREVERENDCurtisHartmanwaspastorofthePresbyterianChurchofWinesburg，andhadbeeninthatpositiontenyears。Hewasfortyyearsold，andbyhisnatureverysilentandreticent。Topreach，standinginthepulpitbeforethepeople，wasalwaysahardshipforhimandfromWednesdaymorninguntilSaturdayeveninghethoughtofnothingbutthetwosermonsthatmustbepreachedonSunday。
EarlyonSundaymorninghewentintoalittleroomcalledastudyinthebelltowerofthechurchandprayed。Inhisprayerstherewasonenotethatal-
wayspredominated。\"GivemestrengthandcourageforThywork，OLord!\"hepleaded，kneelingonthebarefloorandbowinghisheadinthepresenceofthetaskthatlaybeforehim。
TheReverendHartmanwasatallmanwithabrownbeard。Hiswife，astout，nervouswoman，wasthedaughterofamanufacturerofunderwearatCleveland，Ohio。Theministerhimselfwasratherafavoriteinthetown。TheeldersofthechurchlikedhimbecausehewasquietandunpretentiousandMrs。White，thebanker\'swife，thoughthimschol-
arlyandrefined。
ThePresbyterianChurchhelditselfsomewhatalooffromtheotherchurchesofWinesburg。Itwaslargerandmoreimposinganditsministerwasbetterpaid。Heevenhadacarriageofhisownandonsummereveningssometimesdroveabouttownwithhiswife。ThroughMainStreetandupanddownBuckeyeStreethewent，bowinggravelytothepeo-
ple，whilehiswife，afirewithsecretpride，lookedathimoutofthecornersofhereyesandworriedlestthehorsebecomefrightenedandrunaway。
ForagoodmanyyearsafterhecametoWines-
burgthingswentwellwithCurtisHartman。Hewasnotonetoarousekeenenthusiasmamongthewor-
shippersinhischurchbutontheotherhandhemadenoenemies。Inrealityhewasmuchinearnestandsometimessufferedprolongedperiodsofre-
morsebecausehecouldnotgocryingthewordofGodinthehighwaysandbywaysofthetown。HewonderediftheflameofthespiritreallyburnedinhimanddreamedofadaywhenastrongsweetnewcurrentofpowerwouldcomelikeagreatwindintohisvoiceandhissoulandthepeoplewouldtremblebeforethespiritofGodmademanifestinhim。\"I
amapoorstickandthatwillneverreallyhappentome，\"hemuseddejectedly，andthenapatientsmilelituphisfeatures。\"Ohwell，IsupposeI\'mdoingwellenough，\"headdedphilosophically。
Theroominthebelltowerofthechurch，whereonSundaymorningstheministerprayedforanin-
creaseinhimofthepowerofGod，hadbutonewindow。Itwaslongandnarrowandswungout-
wardonahingelikeadoor。Onthewindow，madeoflittleleadedpanes，wasadesignshowingtheChristlayinghishandupontheheadofachild。
OneSundaymorninginthesummerashesatbyhisdeskintheroomwithalargeBibleopenedbe-
forehim，andthesheetsofhissermonscatteredabout，theministerwasshockedtosee，intheupperroomofthehousenextdoor，awomanlyinginherbedandsmokingacigarettewhileshereadabook。
CurtisHartmanwentontiptoetothewindowandcloseditsoftly。Hewashorrorstrickenatthethoughtofawomansmokingandtrembledalsotothinkthathiseyes，justraisedfromthepagesofthebookofGod，hadlookeduponthebareshouldersandwhitethroatofawoman。Withhisbraininawhirlhewentdownintothepulpitandpreachedalongsermonwithoutoncethinkingofhisgesturesorhisvoice。Thesermonattractedunusualattentionbecauseofitspowerandclearness。\"Iwonderifsheislistening，ifmyvoiceiscarryingamessageintohersoul，\"hethoughtandbegantohopethatonfutureSundaymorningshemightbeabletosaywordsthatwouldtouchandawakenthewomanapparentlyfargoneinsecretsin。
ThehousenextdoortothePresbyterianChurch，throughthewindowsofwhichtheministerhadseenthesightthathadsoupsethim，wasoccupiedbytwowomen。AuntElizabethSwift，agreycompetent-
lookingwidowwithmoneyintheWinesburgNa-
tionalBank，livedtherewithherdaughterKateSwift，aschoolteacher。Theschoolteacherwasthirtyyearsoldandhadaneattrim-lookingfigure。
Shehadfewfriendsandboreareputationofhavingasharptongue。Whenhebegantothinkabouther，CurtisHartmanrememberedthatshehadbeentoEuropeandhadlivedfortwoyearsinNewYorkCity。\"Perhapsafterallhersmokingmeansnoth-
ing，\"hethought。Hebegantorememberthatwhenhewasastudentincollegeandoccasionallyreadnovels，goodalthoughsomewhatworldlywomen，hadsmokedthroughthepagesofabookthathadoncefallenintohishands。Witharushofnewdeter-
minationheworkedonhissermonsallthroughtheweekandforgot，inhiszealtoreachtheearsandthesoulofthisnewlistener，bothhisembarrassmentinthepulpitandthenecessityofprayerinthestudyonSundaymornings。
ReverendHartman\'sexperiencewithwomenhadbeensomewhatlimited。HewasthesonofawagonmakerfromMuncie，Indiana，andhadworkedhiswaythroughcollege。Thedaughteroftheunder-
wearmanufacturerhadboardedinahousewherehelivedduringhisschooldaysandhehadmarriedherafteraformalandprolongedcourtship，carriedonforthemostpartbythegirlherself。Onhismar-
riagedaytheunderwearmanufacturerhadgivenhisdaughterfivethousanddollarsandhepromisedtoleaveheratleasttwicethatamountinhiswill。Theministerhadthoughthimselffortunateinmarriageandhadneverpermittedhimselftothinkofotherwomen。Hedidnotwanttothinkofotherwomen。
WhathewantedwastodotheworkofGodquietlyandearnestly。
Inthesouloftheministerastruggleawoke。FromwantingtoreachtheearsofKateSwift，andthroughhissermonstodelveintohersoul，hebegantowantalsotolookagainatthefigurelyingwhiteandquietinthebed。OnaSundaymorningwhenhecouldnotsleepbecauseofhisthoughtshearoseandwenttowalkinthestreets。WhenhehadgonealongMainStreetalmosttotheoldRichmondplacehestoppedandpickingupastonerushedofftotheroominthebelltower。WiththestonehebrokeoutacornerofthewindowandthenlockedthedoorandsatdownatthedeskbeforetheopenBibletowait。WhentheshadeofthewindowtoKateSwift\'sroomwasraisedhecouldsee，throughthehole，directlyintoherbed，butshewasnotthere。ShealsohadarisenandhadgoneforawalkandthehandthatraisedtheshadewasthehandofAuntElizabethSwift。
Theministeralmostweptwithjoyatthisdeliver-
ancefromthecarnaldesireto\"peep\"andwentbacktohisownhousepraisingGod。Inanillmomentheforgot，however，tostoptheholeinthewindow。
ThepieceofglassbrokenoutatthecornerofthewindowjustnippedoffthebareheeloftheboystandingmotionlessandlookingwithrapteyesintothefaceoftheChrist。
CurtisHartmanforgothissermononthatSundaymorning。Hetalkedtohiscongregationandinhistalksaidthatitwasamistakeforpeopletothinkoftheirministerasamansetasideandintendedbynaturetoleadablamelesslife。\"OutofmyownexperienceIknowthatwe，whoaretheministersofGod\'sword，arebesetbythesametemptationsthatassailyou，\"hedeclared。\"Ihavebeentemptedandhavesurrenderedtotemptation。ItisonlythehandofGod，placedbeneathmyhead，thathasraisedmeup。Ashehasraisedmesoalsowillheraiseyou。
Donotdespair。Inyourhourofsinraiseyoureyestotheskiesandyouwillbeagainandagainsaved。\"
Resolutelytheministerputthethoughtsofthewomaninthebedoutofhismindandbegantobesomethinglikealoverinthepresenceofhiswife。
OneeveningwhentheydroveouttogetherheturnedthehorseoutofBuckeyeStreetandinthedarknessonGospelHill，aboveWaterworksPond，puthisarmaboutSarahHartman\'swaist。Whenhehadeatenbreakfastinthemorningandwasreadytoretiretohisstudyatthebackofhishousehewentaroundthetableandkissedhiswifeonthecheek。WhenthoughtsofKateSwiftcameintohishead，hesmiledandraisedhiseyestotheskies。
\"Intercedeforme，Master，\"hemuttered，\"keepmeinthenarrowpathintentonThywork。\"
Andnowbegantherealstruggleinthesoulofthebrown-beardedminister。Bychancehediscov-
eredthatKateSwiftwasinthehabitoflyinginherbedintheeveningsandreadingabook。Alampstoodonatablebythesideofthebedandthelightstreameddownuponherwhiteshouldersandbarethroat。Ontheeveningwhenhemadethediscoverytheministersatatthedeskinthedustyroomfromnineuntilafterelevenandwhenherlightwasputoutstumbledoutofthechurchtospendtwomorehourswalkingandprayinginthestreets。HedidnotwanttokisstheshouldersandthethroatofKateSwiftandhadnotallowedhismindtodwellonsuchthoughts。Hedidnotknowwhathewanted。
\"IamGod\'schildandhemustsavemefrommy-
self，\"hecried，inthedarknessunderthetreesashewanderedinthestreets。Byatreehestoodandlookedattheskythatwascoveredwithhurryingclouds。HebegantotalktoGodintimatelyandclosely。\"Please，Father，donotforgetme。Givemepowertogotomorrowandrepairtheholeinthewindow。Liftmyeyesagaintotheskies。Staywithme，Thyservant，inhishourofneed。\"
Upanddownthroughthesilentstreetswalkedtheministerandfordaysandweekshissoulwastroubled。Hecouldnotunderstandthetemptationthathadcometohimnorcouldhefathomtherea-
sonforitscoming。InawayhebegantoblameGod，sayingtohimselfthathehadtriedtokeephisfeetinthetruepathandhadnotrunaboutseekingsin。
\"ThroughmydaysasayoungmanandallthroughmylifehereIhavegonequietlyaboutmywork，\"
hedeclared。\"WhynowshouldIbetempted？WhathaveIdonethatthisburdenshouldbelaidonme？\"
ThreetimesduringtheearlyfallandwinterofthatyearCurtisHartmancreptoutofhishousetotheroominthebelltowertositinthedarknesslookingatthefigureofKateSwiftlyinginherbedandlaterwenttowalkandprayinthestreets。Hecouldnotunderstandhimself。Forweekshewouldgoalongscarcelythinkingoftheschoolteacherandtellinghimselfthathehadconqueredthecarnalde-
siretolookatherbody。Andthensomethingwouldhappen。Ashesatinthestudyofhisownhouse，hardatworkonasermon，hewouldbecomener-
vousandbegintowalkupanddowntheroom。\"I
willgooutintothestreets，\"hetoldhimselfandevenashelethimselfinatthechurchdoorheper-
sistentlydeniedtohimselfthecauseofhisbeingthere。\"IwillnotrepairtheholeinthewindowandIwilltrainmyselftocomehereatnightandsitinthepresenceofthiswomanwithoutraisingmyeyes。
Iwillnotbedefeatedinthisthing。TheLordhasdevisedthistemptationasatestofmysoulandI
willgropemywayoutofdarknessintothelightofrighteousness。\"
OnenightinJanuarywhenitwasbittercoldandsnowlaydeeponthestreetsofWinesburgCurtisHartmanpaidhislastvisittotheroominthebelltowerofthechurch。Itwaspastnineo\'clockwhenhelefthisownhouseandhesetoutsohurriedlythatheforgottoputonhisovershoes。InMainStreetnoonewasabroadbutHopHigginsthenightwatchmanandinthewholetownnoonewasawakebutthewatchmanandyoungGeorgeWillard，whosatintheofficeoftheWinesburgEagletryingtowriteastory。Alongthestreettothechurchwenttheminister，plowingthroughthedriftsandthinkingthatthistimehewouldutterlygivewaytosin。\"I
wanttolookatthewomanandtothinkofkissinghershouldersandIamgoingtoletmyselfthinkwhatIchoose，\"hedeclaredbitterlyandtearscameintohiseyes。Hebegantothinkthathewouldgetoutoftheministryandtrysomeotherwayoflife。
\"Ishallgotosomecityandgetintobusiness，\"hedeclared。\"IfmynatureissuchthatIcannotresistsin，Ishallgivemyselfovertosin。AtleastIshallnotbeahypocrite，preachingthewordofGodwithmymindthinkingoftheshouldersandneckofawomanwhodoesnotbelongtome。\"
ItwascoldintheroomofthebelltowerofthechurchonthatJanuarynightandalmostassoonashecameintotheroomCurtisHartmanknewthatifhestayedhewouldbeill。Hisfeetwerewetfromtrampinginthesnowandtherewasnofire。IntheroominthehousenextdoorKateSwifthadnotyetappeared。Withgrimdeterminationthemansatdowntowait。SittinginthechairandgrippingtheedgeofthedeskonwhichlaytheBiblehestaredintothedarknessthinkingtheblackestthoughtsofhislife。Hethoughtofhiswifeandforthemomentalmosthatedher。\"Shehasalwaysbeenashamedofpassionandhascheatedme，\"hethought。\"Manhasarighttoexpectlivingpassionandbeautyinawoman。Hehasnorighttoforgetthatheisanani-
malandinmethereissomethingthatisGreek。I
willthrowoffthewomanofmybosomandseekotherwomen。Iwillbesiegethisschoolteacher。I
willflyinthefaceofallmenandifIamacreatureofcarnallustsIwilllivethenformylusts。\"
Thedistractedmantrembledfromheadtofoot，partlyfromcold，partlyfromthestruggleinwhichhewasengaged。Hourspassedandafeverassailedhisbody。Histhroatbegantohurtandhisteethchattered。Hisfeetonthestudyfloorfeltliketwocakesofice。Stillhewouldnotgiveup。\"IwillseethiswomanandwillthinkthethoughtsIhaveneverdaredtothink，\"hetoldhimself，grippingtheedgeofthedeskandwaiting。
CurtisHartmancameneardyingfromtheeffectsofthatnightofwaitinginthechurch，andalsohefoundinthethingthathappenedwhathetooktobethewayoflifeforhim。Onothereveningswhenhehadwaitedhehadnotbeenabletosee，throughthelittleholeintheglass，anypartoftheschoolteacher\'sroomexceptthatoccupiedbyherbed。Inthedarknesshehadwaiteduntilthewomansud-
denlyappearedsittinginthebedinherwhitenight-
robe。Whenthelightwasturnedupsheproppedherselfupamongthe\'pillowsandreadabook。
Sometimesshesmokedoneofthecigarettes。Onlyherbareshouldersandthroatwerevisible。
OntheJanuarynight，afterhehadcomeneardyingwithcoldandafterhismindhadtwoorthreetimesactuallyslippedawayintoanoddlandoffan-
tasysothathehadbyanexerciseofwillpowertoforcehimselfbackintoconsciousness，KateSwiftappeared。Intheroomnextdooralampwaslightedandthewaitingmanstaredintoanemptybed。Thenuponthebedbeforehiseyesanakedwomanthrewherself。Lyingfacedownwardsheweptandbeatwithherfistsuponthepillow。Withafinaloutburstofweepingshehalfarose，andinthepresenceofthemanwhohadwaitedtolookandnottothinkthoughtsthewomanofsinbegantopray。Inthelamplightherfigure，slimandstrong，lookedlikethefigureoftheboyinthepresenceoftheChristontheleadedwindow。
CurtisHartmanneverrememberedhowhegotoutofthechurch。Withacryhearose，draggingtheheavydeskalongthefloor。TheBiblefell，makingagreatclatterinthesilence。Whenthelightinthehousenextdoorwentouthestumbleddownthestairwayandintothestreet。AlongthestreethewentandraninatthedooroftheWinesburgEagle。
ToGeorgeWillard，whowastrampingupanddownintheofficeundergoingastruggleofhisown，hebegantotalkhalfincoherently。\"ThewaysofGodarebeyondhumanunderstanding，\"hecried，run-
ninginquicklyandclosingthedoor。Hebegantoadvanceupontheyoungman，hiseyesglowingandhisvoiceringingwithfervor。\"Ihavefoundthelight，\"hecried。\"Aftertenyearsinthistown，Godhasmanifestedhimselftomeinthebodyofawoman。\"Hisvoicedroppedandhebegantowhis-
per。\"Ididnotunderstand，\"hesaid。\"WhatItooktobeatrialofmysoulwasonlyapreparationforanewandmorebeautifulfervorofthespirit。GodhasappearedtomeinthepersonofKateSwift，theschoolteacher，kneelingnakedonabed。DoyouknowKateSwift？Althoughshemaynotbeawareofit，sheisaninstrumentofGod，bearingthemes-
sageoftruth。\"
ReverendCurtisHartmanturnedandranoutoftheoffice。Atthedoorhestopped，andafterlookingupanddownthedesertedstreet，turnedagaintoGeorgeWillard。\"Iamdelivered。Havenofear。\"Heheldupableedingfistfortheyoungmantosee。\"I
smashedtheglassofthewindow，\"hecried。\"Nowitwillhavetobewhollyreplaced。ThestrengthofGodwasinmeandIbrokeitwithmyfist。\"
THETEACHER
SNOWLAYDEEPinthestreetsofWinesburg。Ithadbeguntosnowaboutteno\'clockinthemorningandawindsprangupandblewthesnowincloudsalongMainStreet。Thefrozenmudroadsthatledintotownwerefairlysmoothandinplacesicecov-
eredthemud。\"Therewillbegoodsleighing，\"saidWillHenderson，standingbythebarinEdGriffith\'ssaloon。OutofthesaloonhewentandmetSylvesterWestthedruggiststumblingalonginthekindofheavyovershoescalledarctics。\"SnowwillbringthepeopleintotownonSaturday，\"saidthedruggist。
Thetwomenstoppedanddiscussedtheiraffairs。
WillHenderson，whohadonalightovercoatandnoovershoes，kickedtheheelofhisleftfootwiththetoeoftheright。\"Snowwillbegoodforthewheat，\"observedthedruggistsagely。
YoungGeorgeWillard，whohadnothingtodo，wasgladbecausehedidnotfeellikeworkingthatday。TheweeklypaperhadbeenprintedandtakentothepostofficeWednesdayeveningandthesnowbegantofallonThursday。Ateighto\'clock，afterthemorningtrainhadpassed，heputapairofskatesinhispocketandwentuptoWaterworksPondbutdidnotgoskating。PastthepondandalongapaththatfollowedWineCreekhewentuntilhecametoagroveofbeechtrees。Therehebuiltafireagainstthesideofalogandsatdownattheendofthelogtothink。Whenthesnowbegantofallandthewindtoblowhehurriedaboutgettingfuelforthefire。
TheyoungreporterwasthinkingofKateSwift，whohadoncebeenhisschoolteacher。Ontheeve-
ningbeforehehadgonetoherhousetogetabookshewantedhimtoreadandhadbeenalonewithherforanhour。Forthefourthorfifthtimethewomanhadtalkedtohimwithgreatearnestnessandhecouldnotmakeoutwhatshemeantbyhertalk。Hebegantobelieveshemustbeinlovewithhimandthethoughtwasbothpleasingandannoying。
Upfromtheloghesprangandbegantopilesticksonthefire。Lookingabouttobesurehewasalonehetalkedaloudpretendinghewasinthepresenceofthewoman，\"Oh，，you\'rejustlettingon，youknowyouare，\"hedeclared。\"Iamgoingtofindoutaboutyou。Youwaitandsee。\"
Theyoungmangotupandwentbackalongthepathtowardtownleavingthefireblazinginthewood。Ashewentthroughthestreetstheskatesclankedinhispocket。InhisownroomintheNewWillardHousehebuiltafireinthestoveandlaydownontopofthebed。Hebegantohavelustfulthoughtsandpullingdowntheshadeofthewindowclosedhiseyesandturnedhisfacetothewall。Hetookapillowintohisarmsandembraceditthinkingfirstoftheschoolteacher，whobyherwordshadstirredsomethingwithinhim，andlaterofHelenWhite，theslimdaughterofthetownbanker，withwhomhehadbeenforalongtimehalfinlove。
Bynineo\'clockofthateveningsnowlaydeepinthestreetsandtheweatherhadbecomebittercold。
Itwasdifficulttowalkabout。Thestoresweredarkandthepeoplehadcrawledawaytotheirhouses。
TheeveningtrainfromClevelandwasverylatebutnobodywasinterestedinitsarrival。Byteno\'clockallbutfouroftheeighteenhundredcitizensofthetownwereinbed。
HopHiggins，thenightwatchman，waspartiallyawake。Hewaslameandcarriedaheavystick。Ondarknightshecarriedalantern。Betweennineandteno\'clockhewenthisrounds。UpanddownMainStreethestumbledthroughthedriftstryingthedoorsofthestores。Thenhewentintoalleywaysandtriedthebackdoors。FindingalltighthehurriedaroundthecornertotheNewWillardHouseandbeatonthedoor。Throughtherestofthenightheintendedtostaybythestove。\"Yougotobed。I\'llkeepthestovegoing，\"hesaidtotheboywhosleptonacotinthehoteloffice。
HopHigginssatdownbythestoveandtookoffhisshoes。Whentheboyhadgonetosleephebegantothinkofhisownaffairs。Heintendedtopainthishouseinthespringandsatbythestovecalculatingthecostofpaintandlabor。Thatledhimintoothercalculations。Thenightwatchmanwassixtyyearsoldandwantedtoretire。HehadbeenasoldierintheCivilWaranddrewasmallpension。Hehopedtofindsomenewmethodofmakingalivingandaspiredtobecomeaprofessionalbreederofferrets。
Alreadyhehadfourofthestrangelyshapedsavagelittlecreatures，thatareusedbysportsmeninthepursuitofrabbits，inthecellarofhishouse。\"NowIhaveonemaleandthreefemales，\"hemused。\"IfIamluckybyspringIshallhavetwelveorfifteen。
InanotheryearIshallbeabletobeginadvertisingferretsforsaleinthesportingpapers。\"
Thenightwatchmansettledintohischairandhismindbecameablank。Hedidnotsleep。Byyearsofpracticehehadtrainedhimselftositforhoursthroughthelongnightsneitherasleepnorawake。
Inthemorninghewasalmostasrefreshedasthoughhehadslept。
WithHopHigginssafelystowedawayinthechairbehindthestoveonlythreepeoplewereawakeinWinesburg。GeorgeWillardwasintheofficeoftheEaglepretendingtobeatworkonthewritingofastorybutinrealitycontinuingthemoodofthemorningbythefireinthewood。InthebelltowerofthePresbyterianChurchtheReverendCurtisHartmanwassittinginthedarknesspreparinghim-
selfforarevelationfromGod，andKateSwift，theschoolteacher，wasleavingherhouseforawalkinthestorm。
Itwaspastteno\'clockwhenKateSwiftsetoutandthewalkwasunpremeditated。Itwasasthoughthemanandtheboy，bythinkingofher，haddrivenherforthintothewintrystreets。AuntElizabethSwifthadgonetothecountyseatconcerningsomebusinessinconnectionwithmortgagesinwhichshehadmoneyinvestedandwouldnotbebackuntilthenextday。Byahugestove，calledabaseburner，inthelivingroomofthehousesatthedaughterreadingabook。Suddenlyshesprangtoherfeetand，snatchingacloakfromarackbythefrontdoor，ranoutofthehouse。
AttheageofthirtyKateSwiftwasnotknowninWinesburgasaprettywoman。Hercomplexionwasnotgoodandherfacewascoveredwithblotchesthatindicatedillhealth。Aloneinthenightinthewinterstreetsshewaslovely。Herbackwasstraight，hershoulderssquare，andherfeatureswereasthefeaturesofatinygoddessonapedestalinagardeninthedimlightofasummerevening。
DuringtheafternoontheschoolteacherhadbeentoseeDoctorWellingconcerningherhealth。Thedoctorhadscoldedherandhaddeclaredshewasindangeroflosingherhearing。ItwasfoolishforKateSwifttobeabroadinthestorm，foolishandperhapsdangerous。
Thewomaninthestreetsdidnotrememberthewordsofthedoctorandwouldnothaveturnedbackhadsheremembered。Shewasverycoldbutafterwalkingforfiveminutesnolongermindedthecold。
FirstshewenttotheendofherownstreetandthenacrossapairofhayscalessetinthegroundbeforeafeedbarnandintoTrunionPike。AlongTrunionPikeshewenttoNedWinters\'barnandturningeastfollowedastreetoflowframehousesthatledoverGospelHillandintoSuckerRoadthatrandownashallowvalleypastIkeSmead\'schickenfarmtoWaterworksPond。Asshewentalong，thebold，ex-
citedmoodthathaddrivenheroutofdoorspassedandthenreturnedagain。
TherewassomethingbitingandforbiddinginthecharacterofKateSwift。Everyonefeltit。Intheschoolroomshewassilent，cold，andstern，andyetinanoddwayveryclosetoherpupils。Onceinalongwhilesomethingseemedtohavecomeoverherandshewashappy。Allofthechildrenintheschoolroomfelttheeffectofherhappiness。Foratimetheydidnotworkbutsatbackintheirchairsandlookedather。
Withhandsclaspedbehindherbacktheschoolteacherwalkedupanddownintheschoolroomandtalkedveryrapidly。Itdidnotseemtomatterwhatsubjectcameintohermind。OnceshetalkedtothechildrenofCharlesLambandmadeupstrange，inti-
matelittlestoriesconcerningthelifeofthedeadwriter。ThestoriesweretoldwiththeairofonewhohadlivedinahousewithCharlesLambandknewallthesecretsofhisprivatelife。Thechildrenweresomewhatconfused，thinkingCharlesLambmustbesomeonewhohadoncelivedinWinesburg。
Onanotheroccasiontheteachertalkedtothechil-
drenofBenvenutoCellini。Thattimetheylaughed。
Whatabragging，blustering，brave，lovablefellowshemadeoftheoldartist!Concerninghimalsosheinventedanecdotes。TherewasoneofaGermanmusicteacherwhohadaroomaboveCellini\'slodg-
ingsinthecityofMilanthatmadetheboysguffaw。
SugarsMcNutts，afatboywithredcheeks，laughedsohardthathebecamedizzyandfelloffhisseatandKateSwiftlaughedwithhim。Thensuddenlyshebecameagaincoldandstern。
Onthewinternightwhenshewalkedthroughthedesertedsnow-coveredstreets，acrisishadcomeintothelifeoftheschoolteacher。AlthoughnooneinWinesburgwouldhavesuspectedit，herlifehadbeenveryadventurous。Itwasstilladventurous。
Daybydayassheworkedintheschoolroomorwalkedinthestreets，grief，hope，anddesirefoughtwithinher。Behindacoldexteriorthemostextraor-
dinaryeventstranspiredinhermind。Thepeopleofthetownthoughtofherasaconfirmedoldmaidandbecauseshespokesharplyandwentherownwaythoughtherlackinginallthehumanfeelingthatdidsomuchtomakeandmartheirownlives。
Inrealityshewasthemosteagerlypassionatesoulamongthem，andmorethanonce，inthefiveyearssinceshehadcomebackfromhertravelstosettleinWinesburgandbecomeaschoolteacher，hadbeencompelledtogooutofthehouseandwalkhalfthroughthenightfightingoutsomebattleragingwithin。OnceonanightwhenitrainedshehadstayedoutsixhoursandwhenshecamehomehadaquarrelwithAuntElizabethSwift。\"Iamgladyou\'renotaman，\"saidthemothersharply。\"MorethanonceI\'vewaitedforyourfathertocomehome，notknowingwhatnewmesshehadgotinto。I\'vehadmyshareofuncertaintyandyoucannotblamemeifIdonotwanttoseetheworstsideofhimreproducedinyou。\"
KateSwift\'smindwasablazewiththoughtsofGeorgeWillard。Insomethinghehadwrittenasaschoolboyshethoughtshehadrecognizedthesparkofgeniusandwantedtoblowonthespark。
OnedayinthesummershehadgonetotheEagleofficeandfindingtheboyunoccupiedhadtakenhimoutMainStreettotheFairGround，wherethetwosatonagrassybankandtalked。Theschoolteachertriedtobringhometothemindoftheboysomeconceptionofthedifficultieshewouldhavetofaceasawriter。\"Youwillhavetoknowlife，\"shedeclared，andhervoicetrembledwithearnestness。
ShetookholdofGeorgeWillard\'sshouldersandturnedhimaboutsothatshecouldlookintohiseyes。Apasser-bymighthavethoughtthemabouttoembrace。\"Ifyouaretobecomeawriteryou\'llhavetostopfoolingwithwords，\"sheexplained。\"Itwouldbebettertogiveupthenotionofwritinguntilyouarebetterprepared。Nowit\'stimetobeliving。Idon\'twanttofrightenyou，butIwouldliketomakeyouunderstandtheimportofwhatyouthinkofattempting。Youmustnotbecomeamerepeddlerofwords。Thethingtolearnistoknowwhatpeoplearethinkingabout，notwhattheysay。\"
OntheeveningbeforethatstormyThursdaynightwhentheReverendCurtisHartmansatinthebelltowerofthechurchwaitingtolookatherbody，youngWillardhadgonetovisittheteacherandtoborrowabook。Itwasthenthethinghappenedthatconfusedandpuzzledtheboy。Hehadthebookunderhisarmandwaspreparingtodepart。AgainKateSwifttalkedwithgreatearnestness。Nightwascomingonandthelightintheroomgrewdim。Asheturnedtogoshespokehisnamesoftlyandwithanimpulsivemovementtookholdofhishand。Be-
causethereporterwasrapidlybecomingamansomethingofhisman\'sappeal，combinedwiththewinsomenessoftheboy，stirredtheheartofthelonelywoman。Apassionatedesiretohavehimun-
derstandtheimportoflife，tolearntointerpretittrulyandhonestly，sweptoverher。Leaningfor-
ward，herlipsbrushedhischeek。Atthesamemo-
mentheforthefirsttimebecameawareofthemarkedbeautyofherfeatures。Theywerebothem-
barrassed，andtorelieveherfeelingshebecameharshanddomineering。\"What\'stheuse？ItwillbetenyearsbeforeyoubegintounderstandwhatI
meanwhenItalktoyou，\"shecriedpassionately。
Onthenightofthestormandwhiletheministersatinthechurchwaitingforher，KateSwiftwenttotheofficeoftheWinesburgEagle，intendingtohaveanothertalkwiththeboy。Afterthelongwalkinthesnowshewascold，lonely，andtired。AsshecamethroughMainStreetshesawthefightfromtheprintshopwindowshiningonthesnowandonanimpulseopenedthedoorandwentin。Foranhourshesatbythestoveintheofficetalkingoflife。Shetalkedwithpassionateearnestness。Theimpulsethathaddrivenheroutintothesnowpoureditselfoutintotalk。Shebecameinspiredasshesometimesdidinthepresenceofthechildreninschool。Agreateagernesstoopenthedooroflifetotheboy，whohadbeenherpupilandwhoshethoughtmightpos-
sessatalentfortheunderstandingoflife，hadpos-
sessionofher。Sostrongwasherpassionthatitbecamesomethingphysical。Againherhandstookholdofhisshouldersandsheturnedhimabout。Inthedimlighthereyesblazed。Shearoseandlaughed，notsharplyaswascustomarywithher，butinaqueer，hesitatingway。\"Imustbegoing，\"shesaid。\"Inamoment，ifIstay，I\'llbewantingtokissyou。\"
Inthenewspaperofficeaconfusionarose。KateSwiftturnedandwalkedtothedoor。Shewasateacherbutshewasalsoawoman。AsshelookedatGeorgeWillard，thepassionatedesiretobelovedbyaman，thathadathousandtimesbeforesweptlikeastormoverherbody，tookpossessionofher。
InthelamplightGeorgeWillardlookednolongeraboy，butamanreadytoplaythepartofaman。
TheschoolteacherletGeorgeWillardtakeherintohisarms。Inthewarmlittleofficetheairbecamesuddenlyheavyandthestrengthwentoutofherbody。Leaningagainstalowcounterbythedoorshewaited。Whenhecameandputahandonhershoul-
dersheturnedandletherbodyfallheavilyagainsthim。ForGeorgeWillardtheconfusionwasimmedi-
atelyincreased。Foramomentheheldthebodyofthewomantightlyagainsthisbodyandthenitstiff-
ened。Twosharplittlefistsbegantobeatonhisface。
Whentheschoolteacherhadrunawayandlefthimalone，hewalkedupanddowntheofficeswearingfuriously。
ItwasintothisconfusionthattheReverendCurtisHartmanprotrudedhimself。WhenhecameinGeorgeWillardthoughtthetownhadgonemad。
Shakingableedingfistintheair，theministerpro-
claimedthewomanGeorgehadonlyamomentbe-
foreheldinhisarmsaninstrumentofGodbearingamessageoftruth。
Georgeblewoutthelampbythewindowandlockingthedooroftheprintshopwenthome。
Throughthehoteloffice，pastHopHigginslostinhisdreamoftheraisingofferrets，hewentandupintohisownroom。Thefireinthestovehadgoneoutandheundressedinthecold。Whenhegotintobedthesheetswerelikeblanketsofdrysnow。
GeorgeWillardrolledaboutinthebedonwhichhadlainintheafternoonhuggingthepillowandthinkingthoughtsofKateSwift。Thewordsoftheminister，whohethoughthadgonesuddenlyin-
sane，ranginhisears。Hiseyesstaredabouttheroom。Theresentment，naturaltothebaffledmale，passedandhetriedtounderstandwhathadhap-
pened。Hecouldnotmakeitout。Overandoverheturnedthematterinhismind。Hourspassedandhebegantothinkitmustbetimeforanotherdaytocome。Atfouro\'clockhepulledthecoversupabouthisneckandtriedtosleep。Whenhebecamedrowsyandclosedhiseyes，heraisedahandandwithitgropedaboutinthedarkness。\"Ihavemissedsome-
thing。IhavemissedsomethingKateSwiftwastry-
ingtotellme，\"hemutteredsleepily。ThenhesleptandinallWinesburghewasthelastsoulonthatwinternighttogotosleep。
LONELINESS
HEWASTHEsonofMrs。AlRobinsonwhoonceownedafarmonasideroadleadingoffTrunionPike，eastofWinesburgandtwomilesbeyondthetownlimits。Thefarmhousewaspaintedbrownandtheblindstoallofthewindowsfacingtheroadwerekeptclosed。Intheroadbeforethehouseaflockofchickens，accompaniedbytwoguineahens，layinthedeepdust。EnochlivedinthehousewithhismotherinthosedaysandwhenhewasayoungboywenttoschoolattheWinesburgHighSchool。Oldcitizensrememberedhimasaquiet，smilingyouthinclinedtosilence。Hewalkedinthemiddleoftheroadwhenhecameintotownandsometimesreadabook。Driversofteamshadtoshoutandsweartomakehimrealizewherehewassothathewouldturnoutofthebeatentrackandletthempass。
Whenhewastwenty-oneyearsoldEnochwenttoNewYorkCityandwasacitymanforfifteenyears。HestudiedFrenchandwenttoanartschool，hopingtodevelopafacultyhehadfordrawing。InhisownmindheplannedtogotoParisandtofinishhisarteducationamongthemastersthere，butthatneverturnedout。
NothingeverturnedoutforEnochRobinson。Hecoulddrawwellenoughandhehadmanyodddeli-
catethoughtshiddenawayinhisbrainthatmighthaveexpressedthemselvesthroughthebrushofapainter，buthewasalwaysachildandthatwasahandicaptohisworldlydevelopment。Henevergrewupandofcoursehecouldn\'tunderstandpeo-
pleandhecouldn\'tmakepeopleunderstandhim。
Thechildinhimkeptbumpingagainstthings，againstactualitieslikemoneyandsexandopinions。
Oncehewashitbyastreetcarandthrownagainstanironpost。Thatmadehimlame。ItwasoneofthemanythingsthatkeptthingsfromturningoutforEnochRobinsonInNewYorkCity，whenhefirstwenttheretoliveandbeforehebecameconfusedanddisconcertedbythefactsoflife，Enochwentaboutagooddealwithyoungmen。Hegotintoagroupofotheryoungartists，bothmenandwomen，andintheeveningstheysometimescametovisithiminhisroom。Oncehegotdrunkandwastakentoapolicestationwhereapolicemagistratefrightenedhimhorribly，andoncehetriedtohaveanaffairwithawomanofthetownmetonthesidewalkbeforehislodginghouse。ThewomanandEnochwalkedtogetherthreeblocksandthentheyoungmangrewafraidandranaway。Thewomanhadbeendrinkingandtheincidentamusedher。Sheleanedagainstthewallofabuildingandlaughedsoheartilythatanothermanstoppedandlaughedwithher。Thetwowentawaytogether，stilllaughing，andEnochcreptofftohisroomtremblingandvexed。
TheroominwhichyoungRobinsonlivedinNewYorkfacedWashingtonSquareandwaslongandnarrowlikeahallway。Itisimportanttogetthatfixedinyourmind。ThestoryofEnochisinfactthestoryofaroomalmostmorethanitisthestoryofaman。
