第4章

\"Ididn’twishtotelltheothersallofit，\"shesaid，\"butIwilltellyou。Inaway，Ithinkyoushouldbeheldresponsible。Canyouguessinwhatmannerthatghostawakenedmelastnight？\" \"Rattledchains，\"suggestedTerence，aftersomethought，\"orgroaned？ Theyusuallydooneortheother。\" \"Doyouhappentoknow，\"continuedMrs。Bellmore，withsuddenirrelevancy，\"ifIresembleanyoneofthefemalerelativesofyourrestlessancestor，’ CaptainKinsolving？\" \"Don’tthinkso，\"saidTerence，withanextremelypuzzledair。\"Neverheardofanyofthembeingnotedbeauties。\" \"Then，why，\"saidMrs。Bellmore，lookingtheyoungmangravelyintheeye，\"shouldthatghosthavekissedme，asI’msureitdid？\" \"Heavens！\"exclaimedTerence，inwide-eyedamazement；\"youdon’tmeanthat，Mrs。Bellmore！Didheactuallykissyou？\" \"Isaid_it_，\"correctedMrs。Bellmore。\"Ihopetheimpersonalpronouniscorrectlyused。\" \"ButwhydidyousayIwasresponsible？\" \"Becauseyouaretheonlylivingmalerelativeoftheghost。\" \"Isee。’Untothethirdandfourthgeneration。’But，seriously，didhe——didit——howdoyou——？\" \"Know？Howdoesanyoneknow？Iwasasleep，andthatiswhatawakenedme，I’malmostcertain。\" \"Almost？\" \"Well，Iawokejustas——oh，can’tyouunderstandwhatImean？Whenanythingarousesyousuddenly，youarenotpositivewhetheryoudreamed，or——andyetyouknowthat——Dearme，Terence，mustIdissectthemostelementarysensationsinordertoaccommodateyourextremelypracticalintelligence？\" \"But，aboutkissingghosts，youknow，\"saidTerence，humbly，\"Irequirethemostprimaryinstruction。Ineverkissedaghost。Isit——isit？\" \"Thesensation，\"saidMrs。Bellmore，withdeliberate，butslightlysmiling，emphasis，\"sinceyouareseekinginstruction，isaminglingofthematerialandthespiritual。\" \"Ofcourse，\"saidTerence，suddenlygrowingserious，\"itwasadreamorsomekindofanhallucination。Nobodybelievesinspirits，thesedays。 Ifyoutoldthetaleoutofkindnessofheart，Mrs。Bellmore，Ican’texpresshowgratefulIamtoyou。Ithasmademymothersupremelyhappy。 ThatRevolutionaryancestorwasastunningidea。\" Mrs。Bellmoresighed。\"Theusualfateofghost-seersismine，\"shesaid，resignedly。\"Myprivilegedencounterwithaspiritisattributedtolobstersaladormendacity。Well，Ihave，atleast，onememoryleftfromthewreck——akissfromtheunseenworld。WasCaptainKinsolvingaverybraveman，doyouknow，Terence？\" \"HewaslickedatYorktown，Ibelieve，\"saidTerence，reflecting。\"Theysayheskedaddledwithhiscompany，afterthefirstbattlethere。\" \"Ithoughthemusthavebeentimid，\"saidMrs。Bellmore，absently。\"Hemighthavehadanother。\" \"Anotherbattle？\"askedTerence，dully。 \"WhatelsecouldImean？Imustgoandgetreadynow；theautowillbehereinanhour。I’veenjoyedClifftopimmensely。Suchalovelymorning，isn’tit，Terence？\" Onherwaytothestation，Mrs。Bellmoretookfromherbagasilkhandkerchief，andlookedatitwithalittlepeculiarsmile。Thenshetieditinseveralveryhardknots，andthrewit，ataconvenientmoment，overtheedgeofthecliffalongwhichtheroadran。 Inhisroom，Terencewasgivingsomedirectionstohisman，Brooks。\"Havethisstuffdoneupinaparcel，\"hesaid，\"andshipittotheaddressonthatcard。\" ThecardwasthatofaNewYorkcostumer。The\"stuff\"wasagentleman’scostumeofthedaysof’76，madeofwhitesatin，withsilverbuckles，whitesilkstockings，andwhitekidshoes。Apowderedwigandaswordcompletedthedress。 \"Andlookabout，Brooks，\"addedTerence，alittleanxiously，\"forasilkhandkerchiefwithmyinitialsinonecorner。Imusthavedroppeditsomewhere。\" ItwasamonthlaterwhenMrs。BellmoreandoneortwoothersofthesmartcrowdweremakingupalistofnamesforacoachingtripthroughtheCatskills。Mrs。Bellmorelookedoverthelistforafinalcensoring。ThenameofTerenceKinsolvingwasthere。Mrs。Bellmoreranherprohibitivepencillightlythroughthename。 \"Tooshy！\"shemurmured，sweetly，inexplanation。 XIJIMMYHAYESANDMURIEL I Supperwasover，andtherehadfallenuponthecampthesilencethataccompaniestherollingofcorn-huskcigarettes。Thewaterholeshonefromthedarkearthlikeapatchoffallensky。Coyotesyelped。Dullthumpsindicatedtherocking-horsemovementsofthehobbledponiesastheymovedtofreshgrass。Ahalf-troopoftheFrontierBattalionofTexasRangersweredistributedaboutthefire。 Awell-knownsound——theflutteringandscrapingofchaparralagainstwoodenstirrups——camefromthethickbrushabovethecamp。Therangerslistenedcautiously。Theyheardaloudandcheerfulvoicecalloutreassuringly： \"Braceup，Muriel，oldgirl，we’re’mosttherenow！Beenalongrideforye，ain’tit，yeoldantediluvianhandfulofanimatedcarpet-tacks？Hey，now，quitatryin’tokissme！Don’tholdontomynecksotight——thisherepainthossain’tanytooshore-footed，letmetellye。He’sliabletodumpusbothoffifwedon’twatchout。\" Twominutesofwaitingbroughtatired\"paint\"ponysingle-footingintocamp。Aganglingyouthoftwentylolledinthesaddle。Ofthe\"Muriel\" whomhehadbeenaddressing，nothingwastobeseen。 \"Hi，fellows！\"shoutedtheridercheerfully。\"Thishere’saletterferLieutenantManning。\" Hedismounted，unsaddled，droppedthecoilsofhisstake-rope，andgothishobblesfromthesaddle-horn。WhileLieutenantManning，incommand，wasreadingtheletter，thenewcomer，rubbedsolicitouslyatsomedriedmudintheloopsofthehobbles，showingaconsiderationfortheforelegsofhismount。 \"Boys，\"saidthelieutenant，wavinghishandtotherangers，\"thisisMr。 JamesHayes。He’sanewmemberofthecompany。CaptainMcLeansendshimdownfromElPaso。Theboyswillseethatyouhavesomesupper，Hayes，assoonasyougetyourponyhobbled。\" Therecruitwasreceivedcordiallybytherangers。Still，theyobservedhimshrewdlyandwithsuspendedjudgment。Pickingacomradeontheborderisdonewithtentimesthecareanddiscretionwithwhichagirlchoosesasweetheart。Onyour\"side-kicker’s\"nerve，loyalty，aim，andcoolnessyourownlifemaydependmanytimes。 AfteraheartysupperHayesjoinedthesmokersaboutthefire。Hisappearancedidnotsettleallthequestionsinthemindsofhisbrotherrangers。Theysawsimplyaloose，lankyouthwithtow-coloured，sun-burnedhairandaberry-brown，ingenuousfacethatworeaquizzical，good-naturedsmile。 \"Fellows，\"saidthenewranger，\"I’mgoin’tointerducetoyoualadyfriendofmine。Ain’teverheardanybodycallherabeauty，butyou’llalladmitshe’sgotsomefinepointsabouther。Comealong，Muriel！\" Heheldopenthefrontofhisblueflannelshirt。Outofitcrawledahornedfrog。Abrightredribbonwastiedjauntilyarounditsspikyneck。Itcrawledtoitsowner’skneeandsatthere，motionless。 \"ThishereMuriel，\"saidHayes，withanoratoricalwaveofhishand，\"hasgotqualities。Shenevertalksback，shealwaysstaysathome，andshe’ssatisfiedwithonereddressforeverydayandSunday，too。\" \"Lookatthatblameinsect！\"saidoneoftherangerswithagrin。\"I’veseenplentyofthemhornyfrogs，butIneverknewanybodytohaveoneforaside-partner。Doestheblamethingknowyoufromanybodyelse？\" \"Takeitoverthereandsee，\"saidHayes。 Thestumpylittlelizardknownasthehornedfrogisharmless。Hehasthehideousnessoftheprehistoricmonsterswhosereduceddescendantheis，butheisgentlerthanthedove。 TherangertookMurielfromHayes’skneeandwentbacktohisseatonarollofblankets。Thecaptivetwistedandclawedandstruggledvigorouslyinhishand。Afterholdingitforamomentortwo，therangersetitupontheground。Awkwardly，butswiftlythefrogworkeditsfouroddlymovinglegsuntilitstoppedclosebyHayes’sfoot。 \"Well，dangmyhide！\"saidtheotherranger。\"Thelittlecussknowsyou。 Neverthoughttheminsectshadthatmuchsense！\" II JimmyHayesbecameafavouriteintherangercamp。Hehadanendlessstoreofgood-nature，andamild，perennialqualityofhumourthatiswelladaptedtocamplife。Hewasneverwithouthishornedfrog。Inthebosomofhisshirtduringrides，onhiskneeorshoulderincamp，underhisblanketsatnight，theuglylittlebeastneverlefthim。 JimmywasahumouristofatypethatprevailsintheruralSouthandWest。Unskilledinoriginatingmethodsofamusingorinwittyconceptions，hehadhituponacomicalideaandclungtoitreverently。 IthadseemedtoJimmyaveryfunnythingtohaveabouthisperson，withwhichtoamusehisfriends，atamehornedfrogwitharedribbonarounditsneck。Asitwasahappyidea，whynotperpetuateit？ ThesentimentsexistingbetweenJimmyandthefrogcannotbeexactlydetermined。Thecapabilityofthehornedfrogforlastingaffectionisasubjectuponwhichwehavehadnosymposiums。ItiseasiertoguessJimmy’sfeelings。Murielwashischef_d’oeuvre_ofwit，andassuchhecherishedher。Hecaughtfliesforher，andshieldedherfromsuddennorthers。Yethiscarewashalfselfish，andwhenthetimecamesherepaidhimathousandfold。OtherMurielshavethusoverbalancedthelightattentionsofotherJimmies。 NotatoncedidJimmyHayesattainfullbrotherhoodwithhiscomrades。 Theylovedhimforhissimplicityanddrollness，buttherehungabovehimagreatswordofsuspendedjudgment。Tomakemerryincampisnotallofaranger’slife。Therearehorse-thievestotrail，desperatecriminalstorundown，bravostobattlewith，banditstoroutoutofthechaparral，peaceandordertobecompelledatthemuzzleofasix-shooter。Jimmyhadbeen\"’mostgenerallyacow-puncher，\"hesaid；hewasinexperiencedinrangermethodsofwarfare。Thereforetherangersspeculatedapartandsolemnlyastohowhewouldstandfire。For，letitbeknown，thehonourandprideofeachrangercompanyistheindividualbraveryofitsmembers。 Fortwomonthstheborderwasquiet。Therangerslolled，listless，incamp。Andthen——bringingjoytotherustingguardiansofthefrontier——SebastianoSaldar，aneminentMexicandesperadoandcattle-thief，crossedtheRioGrandewithhisgangandbegantolaywastetheTexasside。TherewereindicationsthatJimmyHayeswouldsoonhavetheopportunitytoshowhismettle。Therangerspatrolledwithalacrity，butSaldar’smenweremountedlikeLochinvar，andwerehardtocatch。 Oneevening，aboutsundown，therangershaltedforsupperafteralongride。Theirhorsesstoodpanting，withtheirsaddleson。Themenwerefryingbaconandboilingcoffee。Suddenly，outofthebrush，SebastianoSaldarandhisgangdasheduponthemwithblazingsix-shootersandhigh-voicedyells。Itwasaneatsurprise。Therangerssworeinannoyedtones，andgottheirWinchestersbusy；buttheattackwasonlyaspectaculardashofthepurestMexicantype。Afterthefloriddemonstrationtheraidersgallopedaway，yelling，downtheriver。Therangersmountedandpursued；butinlessthantwomilesthefaggedponieslabouredsothatLieutenantManninggavethewordtoabandonthechaseandreturntothecamp。 ThenitwasdiscoveredthatJimmyHayeswasmissing。Someonerememberedhavingseenhimrunforhisponywhentheattackbegan，butnoonehadseteyesonhimsince。Morningcame，butnoJimmy。Theysearchedthecountryaround，onthetheorythathehadbeenkilledorwounded，butwithoutsuccess。ThentheyfollowedafterSaldar’sgang，butitseemedtohavedisappeared。ManningconcludedthatthewilyMexicanhadrecrossedtheriverafterhistheatricfarewell。And，indeed，nofurtherdepredationsfromhimwerereported。 Thisgavetherangerstimetonurseasorenesstheyhad。Ashasbeensaid，theprideandhonourofthecompanyistheindividualbraveryofitsmembers。AndnowtheybelievedthatJimmyHayeshadturnedcowardatthewhizofMexicanbullets。Therewasnootherdeduction。BuckDavispointedoutthatnotashotwasfiredbySaldar’sgangafterJimmywasseenrunningforhishorse。Therewasnowayforhimtohavebeenshot。 No，hehadfledfromhisfirstfight，andafterwardhewouldnotreturn，awarethatthescornofhiscomradeswouldbeaworsethingtofacethanthemuzzlesofmanyrifles。 SoManning’sdetachmentofMcLean’scompany，FrontierBattalion，wasgloomy。Itwasthefirstblotonitsescutcheon。Neverbeforeinthehistoryoftheservicehadarangershownthewhitefeather。AllofthemhadlikedJimmyHayes，andthatmadeitworse。 Days，weeks，andmonthswentby，andstillthatlittlecloudofunforgottencowardicehungabovethecamp。 III Nearlyayearafterward——aftermanycampinggroundsandmanyhundredsofmilesguardedanddefended——LieutenantManning，withalmostthesamedetachmentofmen，wassenttoapointonlyafewmilesbelowtheiroldcampontherivertolookaftersomesmugglingthere。Oneafternoon，whiletheywereridingthroughadensemesquiteflat，theycameuponapatchofopenhog-wallowprairie。Theretheyrodeuponthesceneofanunwrittentragedy。 Inabighog-wallowlaytheskeletonsofthreeMexicans。Theirclothingaloneservedtoidentifythem。ThelargestofthefigureshadoncebeenSebastianoSaldar。Hisgreat，costlysombrero，heavywithgoldornamentation——ahatfamousallalongtheRioGrande——laytherepiercedbythreebullets。Alongtheridgeofthehog-wallowrestedtherustingWinchestersoftheMexicans——allpointinginthesamedirection。 Therangersrodeinthatdirectionforfiftyyards。There，inalittledepressionoftheground，withhisriflestillbearinguponthethree，layanotherskeleton。Ithadbeenabattleofextermination。Therewasnothingtoidentifythesolitarydefender。Hisclothing——suchastheelementshadleftdistinguishable——seemedtobeofthekindthatanyranchmanorcowboymighthaveworn。 \"Somecow-puncher，\"saidManning，\"thattheycaughtoutalone。Goodboy！ Heputupadandyscrapbeforetheygothim。Sothat’swhywedidn’thearfromDonSebastianoanymore！\" Andthen，frombeneaththeweather-beatenragsofthedeadman，therewriggledoutahornedfrogwithafadedredribbonarounditsneck，andsatupontheshoulderofitslongquietmaster。Mutelyittoldthestoryoftheuntriedyouthandtheswift\"paint\"pony——howtheyhadoutstrippedalltheircomradesthatdayinthepursuitoftheMexicanraiders，andhowtheboyhadgonedownupholdingthehonourofthecompany。 Therangertroopherdedclose，andasimultaneouswildyellarosefromtheirlips。Theoutburstwasatonceadirge，anapology，anepitaph，andapaeanoftriumph。Astrangerequiem，youmaysay，overthebodyofafallen，comrade；butifJimmyHayescouldhaveheardithewouldhaveunderstood。 XIITHEDOOROFUNREST Isatanhourbysun，intheeditor’sroomoftheMontopolis_WeeklyBugle_。Iwastheeditor。 ThesaffronraysofthedecliningsunlightfilteredthroughthecornstalksinMicajahWiddup’sgarden-patch，andcastanambergloryuponmypaste-pot。Isatattheeditorialdeskinmynon-rotaryrevolvingchair，andpreparedmyeditorialagainsttheoligarchies。Theroom，withitsonewindow，wasalreadyapreytothetwilight。Onebyone，withmytrenchantsentences，Iloppedofftheheadsofthepoliticalhydra，whileI listened，fullofkindlypeace，tothehome-comingcow-bellsandwonderedwhatMrs。Flanaganwasgoingtohaveforsupper。 Theninfromthedusky，quietstreettheredriftedandperchedhimselfuponacornerofmydeskoldFatherTime’syoungerbrother。HisfacewasbeardlessandasgnarledasanEnglishwalnut。Ineversawclothessuchashewore。TheywouldhavereducedJoseph’scoattoamonochrome。Butthecolourswerenotthedyer’s。Stainsandpatchesandtheworkofsunandrustwereresponsibleforthediversity。Onhiscoarseshoeswasthedust，conceivably，ofathousandleagues。Icandescribehimnofurther，excepttosaythathewaslittleandweirdandold——oldIbegantoestimateincenturieswhenIsawhim。Yes，andIrememberthattherewasanodour，afaintodourlikealoes，orpossiblylikemyrrhorleather；andIthoughtofmuseums。 AndthenIreachedforapadandpencil，forbusinessisbusiness，andvisitsoftheoldestinhabitantsaresacredandhonourable，requiringtobechronicled。 \"Iamgladtoseeyou，sir，\"Isaid。\"Iwouldofferyouachair，but—— yousee，sir，\"Iwenton，\"IhavelivedinMontopolisonlythreeweeks，andIhavenotmetmanyofourcitizens。\"Iturnedadoubtfuleyeuponhisdust-stainedshoes，andconcludedwithanewspaperphrase，\"Isupposethatyouresideinourmidst？\" Myvisitorfumbledinhisraiment，drewforthasoiledcard，andhandedittome。Uponitwaswritten，inplainbutunsteadilyformedcharacters，thename\"MichobAder。\" \"Iamgladyoucalled，Mr。Ader，\"Isaid。\"Asoneofouroldercitizens，youmustviewwithpridetherecentgrowthandenterpriseofMontopolis。 Amongotherimprovements，IthinkIcanpromisethatthetownwillnowbeprovidedwithalive，enterprisingnewspa——\" \"Doyeknowthenameonthatcard？\"askedmycaller，interruptingme。 \"Itisnotafamiliaronetome，\"Isaid。 Againhevisitedthedepthsofhisancientvestments。Thistimehebroughtoutatornleafofsomebookorjournal，brownandflimsywithage。Theheadingofthepagewasthe_TurkishSpy_inold-styletype；theprintinguponitwasthis： \"ThereisamancometoParisinthisyear1643whopretendstohavelivedthesesixteenhundredyears。HesaysofhimselfthathewasashoemakerinJerusalematthetimeoftheCrucifixion；thathisnameisMichobAder； andthatwhenJesus，theChristianMessias，wascondemnedbyPontiusPilate，theRomanpresident，hepausedtorestwhilebearinghiscrosstotheplaceofcrucifixionbeforethedoorofMichobAder。TheshoemakerstruckJesuswithhisfist，saying：’Go；whytarriestthou？’TheMessiasansweredhim：’Iindeedamgoing；butthoushalttarryuntilIcome’； therebycondemninghimtoliveuntilthedayofjudgment。Helivesforever，butattheendofeveryhundredyearshefallsintoafitortrance，onrecoveringfromwhichhefindshimselfinthesamestateofyouthinwhichhewaswhenJesussuffered，beingthenaboutthirtyyearsofage。 \"SuchisthestoryoftheWanderingJew，astoldbyMichobAder，whorelates——\"Heretheprintingended。 ImusthavemutteredaloudsomethingtomyselfabouttheWanderingJew，fortheoldmanspakeup，bitterlyandloudly。 \"’Tisalie，\"saidhe，\"likeninetenthsofwhatyecallhistory。’TisaGentileIam，andnoJew。IamafterfootingitoutofJerusalem，myson； butifthatmakesmeaJew，theneverythingthatcomesoutofabottleisbabies’milk。Yehavemynameonthecardyehold；andyehavereadthebitofpapertheycallthe_TurkishSpy_thatprintedthenewswhenI steppedintotheirofficeonthe12thdayofJune，intheyear1643，justasIhavecalleduponyeto-day。\" Ilaiddownmypencilandpad。Clearlyitwouldnotdo。Herewasanitemforthelocalcolumnofthe_Bugle_that——butitwouldnotdo。Still，fragmentsoftheimpossible\"personal\"begantoflitthroughmyconventionalizedbrain。\"UncleMichobisasspryonhislegsasayoungchapofonlyathousandorso。\"\"Ourvenerablecallerrelateswith’pridethatGeorgeWash——no，PtolemytheGreat——oncedandledhimonhiskneeathisfather’shouse。\"\"UncleMichobsaysthatourwetspringwasnothingincomparisonwiththedampnessthatruinedthecropsaroundMountAraratwhenhewasaboy——\"Butno，no——itwouldnotdo。 Iwastryingtothinkofsomeconversationalsubjectwithwhichtointerestmyvisitor，andwashesitatingbetweenwalkingmatchesandthePlioceneage，whentheoldmansuddenlybegantoweeppoignantlyanddistressfully。 \"Cheerup，Mr。Ader，\"Isaid，alittleawkwardly；\"thismattermayblowoverinafewhundredyearsmore。TherehasalreadybeenadecidedreactioninfavourofJudasIscariotandColonelBurrandthecelebratedviolinist，SignorNero。Thisistheageofwhitewash。Youmustnotallowyourselftobecomedown-hearted。\" Unknowingly，Ihadstruckachord。Theoldmanblinkedbelligerentlythroughhisseniletears。 \"’Tistime，\"hesaid，\"thattheliarsbedoin’justicetosomebody。Yerhistoriansarenomorethanapackofoldwomengabblin’atawake。A finermanthantheImperorNeroniverworesandals。Man，Iwasattheburnin’ofRome。IknowedtheImperorwell，forinthemdaysIwasawell-knownchar-acter。Inthimdaystheyhadrayspectforamanthatlivedforever。 \"But’twasoftheImperorNeroIwasgoin’totellye。IstruckintoRome，uptheAppianWay，onthenightofJulythe16th，theyear64。I hadjuststeppeddownbywayofSiberiaandAfghanistan；andonefootofmehadafrost-bite，andtheotherablisterburnedbythesandofthedesert；andIwasfeelin’abitbluefromdoin’patroldutyfromtheNorthPoledowntotheLastChancecornerinPatagonia，andbein’miscalledaJewinthebargain。Well，I’mtellin’yeIwaspassin’theCircusMaximus，anditwasdarkaspitchovertheway，andthenIheardsomebodysingout，’Isthatyou，Michob？’ \"Overag’instthewall，hidoutamongstapileofbarrelsandolddry-goodsboxes，wastheImperorNerowidhistogywrappedaroundhistoes，smokin’along，blacksegar。 \"’Haveone，Michob？’sayshe。 \"’Noneoftheweedsforme，’saysI——’naytherpipenorsegar。What’stheuse，’saysI，’ofsmokin’whenye’venotgottheghostofachanceofkillin’yeselfbydoin’it？’ \"’Trueforye，MichobAder，myperpetualJew，’saystheImperor；’ye’renotalwayswandering。Sure，’tisdangergivesthespiceofourpleasures——nexttotheirbein’forbidden。’ \"’Andforwhat，’saysI，’doyesmokebenightindarkplaceswidoutevenacinturioninplainclothestoattendye？’ \"’Haveyeeverheard，Michob，’saystheImperor，’ofpredestinarianism？’ \"’I’vehadthecousinofit，’saysI。’I’vebeenonthetrotwithpedestrianismformanyayear，andmoretocome，asyewellknow。’ \"’Thelongerword，’saysmefriendNero，’isthetachin’ofthisnewsectofpeopletheycalltheChristians。’Tisthemthat’sraysponsibleformesmokin’benightinholesandcornersofthedark。’ \"AndthenIsetsdownandtakesoffashoeandrubsmefootthatisfrosted，andtheImperortellsmeaboutit。ItseemsthatsinceIpassedthatwaybefore，theImperorhadmandamusedtheImpresswidadivorcesuit，andMissesPoppaea，acilibratedlady，wasingaged，widoutriferences，ashousekeeperatthepalace。’Allinoneday，’saystheImperor，’sheputsupnewlacewindy-curtainsinthepalaceandjoinstheanti-tobaccosociety，andwhinIfeelstheneedofasmokeImustbeaftersneakin’outtothesepilesoflumberinthedark。’SothereinthedarkmeandtheImperorsat，andItoldhimofmetravels。AndwhentheysaytheImperorwasanincindiary，theylie。’Twasthatnightthefirestartedthatburntthecity。’Tismyopinionthatitbeganfromastumpofsegarthathethrewdownamongtheboxes。And’tisaliethathefiddled。Hedidallhecouldforsixdaystostopit，sir。\" AndnowIdetectedanewflavourtoMr。MichobAder。IthadnotbeenmyrrhorbalmorhyssopthatIhadsmelled。Theemanationwastheodourofbadwhiskey——and，worsestill，oflowcomedy——thesortthatsmallhumoristsmanufacturebyclothingthegraveandreverendthingsoflegendandhistoryinthevulgar，topicalfripperythatpassesforacertainkindofwit。MichobAderasanimpostor，claimingnineteenhundredyears，andplayinghispartwiththedecencyofrespectablelunacy，Icouldendure； butasatediouswag，cheapeninghisegregiousstorywithsong-booklevity，hisimportanceasanentertainergrewless。 Andthen，asifhesuspectedmythoughts，hesuddenlyshiftedhiskey。 \"You’llexcuseme，sir，\"hewhined，\"butsometimesIgetalittlemixedinmyhead。Iamaveryoldman；anditishardtoremembereverything。\" Iknewthathewasright，andthatIshouldnottrytoreconcilehimwithRomanhistory；soIaskedfornewsconcerningotherancientswithwhomhehadwalkedfamiliar。 AbovemydeskhunganengravingofRaphael’scherubs。Youcouldyetmakeouttheirforms，thoughthedustblurredtheiroutlinesstrangely。 \"Yecallsthem’cher-rubs’，\"cackledtheoldman。\"Babes，yefancytheyare，withwings。Andthere’sonewidlegsandabowandarrowthatyecallCupid——Iknowwheretheywasfound。Thegreat-great-great-grandfatherofthimallwasabilly-goat。Bein’aneditor，sir，doyehappentoknowwhereSolomonsTemplestood？\" Ifanciedthatitwasin——inPersia？Well，Ididnotknow。 \"’TisnotinhistorynorintheBiblewhereitwas。ButIsawit，meself。Thefirstpicturesofcher-rubsandcupidswassculptureduponthimwallsandpillars。Twoofthebiggest，sir，stoodintheadytumtoformthebaldachinovertheArk。Butthewingsofthimsculptureswasintindidforhorns。Andthefaceswasthefacesofgoats。Tenthousandgoatstherewasinandaboutthetemple。Andyourcher-rubswasbilly-goatsinthedaysofKingSolomon，butthepaintersmisconstruedthehornsintowings。 \"AndIknewTamerlane，thelameTimour，sir，verywell。IsawhimatKeghutandatZaranj。Hewasalittlemannolargerthanyerself，withhairthecolourofanamberpipestem。TheyburiedhimatSamarkandIwasatthewake，sir。Oh，hewasafine-builtmaninhiscoffin，sixfeetlong，withblackwhiskerstohisface。AndIsee’emthrowturnipsattheImperorVispacianinAfrica。AllovertheworldIhavetramped，sir，withoutthebodyofmefindin’anyrest。’TwassocommandedIsawJerusalemdestroyed，andPompeiigoupinthefireworks；andIwasatthecoronationofCharlemagneandthelynchin’ofJoanofArc。AndeverywhereIgotherecomesstormsandrevolutionsandplaguesandfires。’Twassocommanded。YehaveheardoftheWanderingJew。’Tisallso，exceptthatdivilabitamIaJew。Buthistorylies，asIhavetoldye。Areyequitesure，sir，thatyehaven’tadropofwhiskeyconvenient？YewellknowthatIhavemanymilesofwalkingbeforeme。\" \"Ihavenone，\"saidI，\"and，ifyouplease，Iamabouttoleaveformysupper。\" Ipushedmychairbackcreakingly。Thisancientlandlubberwasbecomingasgreatanafflictionasanycross-bowedmariner。Heshookamustyeffluviumfromhispiebaldclothes，overturnedmyinkstand，andwentonwithhisinsufferablenonsense。 \"Iwouldn’tminditsomuch，\"hecomplained，\"ifitwasn’tfortheworkI mustdoonGoodFridays。YeknowaboutPontiusPilate，sir，ofcourse。 Hisbody，whinhekilledhimself，waspitchedintoalakeontheAlpsmountains。Now，listentothejobthat’tisminetoperformonthenightofiveryGoodFriday。TheoulddivilgoesdowninthepoolanddragsupPontius，andthewaterisbilin’andspewin’likeawashpot。Andtheoulddivilsetsthebodyontopofathroneontherocks，andthincomesmeshareofthejob。Oh，sir，yewouldpitymethin——yewouldprayforthepoorWanderingJewthatniverwasaJewifyecouldseethehorrorofthethingthatImustdo。’TisIthatmustfetchabowlofwaterandkneeldownbeforeittillitwashesitshands。IdeclaretoyethatPontiusPilate，amandeadtwohundredyears，draggedupwiththelakeslimecoverin’himandfisheswrigglin’insideofhimwidouteyes，andinthediscompositionofthebody，sitsthere，sir，andwasheshishandsinthebowlIholdforhimonGoodFridays。’Twassocommanded。\" Clearly，thematterhadprogressedfarbeyondthescopeofthe_Bugle’s_ localcolumn。Theremighthavebeenemploymenthereforthealienistorforthosewhocirculatethepledge；butIhadhadenoughofit。Igotup，andrepeatedthatImustgo。 Atthisheseizedmycoat，grovelleduponmydesk，andburstagainintodistressfulweeping。Whateveritwasabout，Isaidtomyselfthathisgriefwasgenuine。 \"Comenow，Mr。Ader，\"Isaid，soothingly；\"whatisthematter？\" Theanswercamebrokenlythroughhisrackingsobs： \"BecauseIwouldnot……letthepoorChrist……rest……uponthestep。\" Hishallucinationseemedbeyondallreasonableanswer；yettheeffectofituponhimscarcelymeriteddisrespect。ButIknewnothingthatmightassuageit；andItoldhimoncemorethatbothofusshouldbeleavingtheofficeatonce。 Obedientatlast，heraisedhimselffrommydishevelleddesk，andpermittedmetohalflifthimtothefloor。Thegaleofhisgriefhadblownawayhiswords；hisfreshetoftearshadsoakedawaythecrustofhisgrief。Reminiscencediedinhim——atleast，thecoherentpartofit。 \"’Twasmethatdidit，\"hemuttered，asIledhimtowardthedoor——\"me，theshoemakerofJerusalem。\" Igothimtothesidewalk，andintheaugmentedlightIsawthathisfacewassearedandlinedandwarpedbyasadnessalmostincrediblytheproductofasinglelifetime。 Andthenhighupinthefirmamentaldarknessweheardtheclamantcriesofsomegreat，passingbirds。MyWanderingJewliftedhishand，withside-tiltedhead。 \"TheSevenWhistlers！\"hesaid，asoneintroduceswell-knownfriends。 \"Wildgeese，\"saidI；\"butIconfessthattheirnumberisbeyondme。\" \"Theyfollowmeeverywhere，\"hesaid。\"’Twassocommanded。WhatyehearisthesoulsofthesevenJewsthathelpedwiththeCrucifixion。 Sometimesthey’reploversandsometimesgeese，butye’llfindthemalwaysflyin’whereIgo。\" Istood，uncertainhowtotakemyleave。Ilookeddownthestreet，shuffledmyfeet，lookedbackagain——andfeltmyhairrise。Theoldmanhaddisappeared。 Andthenmycapillariesrelaxed，forIdimlysawhimfootingitawaythroughthedarkness。Buthewalkedsoswiftlyandsilentlyandcontrarytothegaitpromisedbyhisagethatmycomposurewasnotallrestored，thoughIknewnotwhy。 ThatnightIwasfoolishenoughtotakedownsomedust-coveredvolumesfrommymodestshelves。Isearched\"HermippusRedivvus\"and\"Salathiel\" andthe\"PepysCollection\"invain。Andtheninabookcalled\"TheCitizenoftheWorld，\"andinonetwocenturiesold，IcameuponwhatI desired。MichobAderhadindeedcometoParisintheyear1643，andrelatedtothe_TurkishSpy_anextraordinarystory。HeclaimedtobetheWanderingJew，andthat—— ButhereIfellasleep，formyeditorialdutieshadnotbeenlightthatday。 JudgeHooverwasthe_Bugle’s_candidateforcongress。Havingtoconferwithhim，Isoughthishomeearlythenextmorning；andwewalkedtogetherdowntownthroughalittlestreetwithwhichIwasunfamiliar。 \"DidyoueverhearofMichobAder？\"Iaskedhim，smiling。 \"Why，yes，\"saidthejudge。\"Andthatremindsmeofmyshoeshehasformending。Hereishisshopnow。\" JudgeHooversteppedintoadingy，smallshop。Ilookedupatthesign，andsaw\"MikeO’Bader，BootandShoeMaker，\"onit。Somewildgeesepassedabove，honkingclearly。Iscratchedmyearandfrowned，andthentrailedintotheshop。 TheresatmyWanderingJewonhisshoemaker’sbench，trimmingahalf-sole。Hewasdrabbledwithdew，grass-stained，unkempt，andmiserable；andonhisfacewasstilltheunexplainedwretchedness，theproblematicsorrow，theesotericwoe，thathadbeenwrittentherebynothingless，itseemed，thanthestylusofthecenturies。 JudgeHooverinquiredkindlyconcerninghisshoes。Theoldshoemakerlookedup，andspokesanelyenough。Hehadbeenill，hesaid，forafewdays。Thenextdaytheshoeswouldbeready。Helookedatme，andI couldseethatIhadnoplaceinhismemory。Sooutwewent，andonourway。 \"OldMike，\"remarkedthecandidate，\"hasbeenononeofhissprees。Hegetscrazydrunkregularlyonceamonth。Buthe’sagoodshoemaker。\" \"Whatishishistory？\"Iinquired。 \"Whiskey，\"epitomizedJudgeHoover。\"Thatexplainshim。\" Iwassilent，butIdidnotaccepttheexplanation。Andso，whenIhadthechance，IaskedoldmanSellers，whobrowseddailyonmyexchanges。 \"MikeO’Bader，\"saidhe，\"wasmakin’shoesinMontopoliswhenIcomeheregoin’onfifteenyearago。Iguesswhiskey’shistrouble。Onceamonthhegetsoffthetrack，andstayssoaweek。He’sgotarigmarolesomethin’abouthisbein’aJewpedlerthathetellsev’rybody。Nobodywon’tlistentohimanymore。Whenhe’ssoberheain’tsichafool—— he’sgotasightofbooksinthebackroomofhisshopthathereads。I guessyoucanlayallhistroubletowhiskey。\" ButagainIwouldnot。NotyetwasmyWanderingJewrightlyconstruedforme。Itrustthatwomenmaynotbeallowedatitletoallthecuriosityintheworld。SowhenMontopolis’soldestinhabitant（someninetyscoreyearsyoungerthanMichobAder）droppedintoacquirepromulgationinprint，Isiphonedhisperpetualtrickleofreminiscenceinthedirectionoftheuninterpretedmakerofshoes。 UncleAbnerwastheCompleteHistoryofMontopolis，boundinbutternut。 \"O’Bader，\"hequavered，\"comeherein’69。Hewasthefirstshoemakerintheplace。Folksgenerallyconsidershimcrazyattimesnow。Buthedon’tharmnobody。Is’posedrinkin’upsethismind——yes，drinkin’verylikelydoneit。It’sapowerfulbadthing，drinkin’。I’manold，oldman，sir，andIneverseenogoodindrinkin’。\" Ifeltdisappointment。Iwaswillingtoadmitdrinkinthecaseofmyshoemaker，butIpreferreditasarecourseinsteadofacause。Whyhadhepitcheduponhisperpetual，strangenoteoftheWanderingJew？Whyhisunutterablegriefduringhisaberration？Icouldnotyetacceptwhiskeyasanexplanation。 \"DidMikeO’Badereverhaveagreatlossortroubleofanykind？\"Iasked。 \"Lemmesee！Aboutthirtyyearagotherewassomethin’ofthekind，I recollect。Montopolis，sir，inthemdaysusedtobeamightystrictplace。 \"Well，MikeO’Baderhadadaughterthen——arightprettygirl。ShewastoogayasortforMontopolissoonedaysheslipsofftoanothertownandrunsawaywithacircus。Itwastwoyearsbeforeshecomesback，allfixedupinfineclothesandringsandjewellery，toseeMike。Hewouldn’thavenothin’todowithher，soshestaysaroundtownawhile，anyway。Ireckonthemenfolkswouldn’thaveraisednoobjections，butthewomenegged’emontoorderhertoleavetown。Butshehadplentyofspunk，andtold’emtomindtheirownbusiness。 \"Soonenighttheydecidedtorunheraway。Acrowdofmenandwomendroveheroutofherhouse，andchasedherwithsticksandstones。Sheruntoherfather’sdoor，callin’forhelp。Mikeopensit，andwhenheseeswhoitishehitsherwithhisfistandknocksherdownandshutsthedoor。 \"Andthenthecrowdkeptonchunkin’hertillsherunclearoutoftown。 AndthenextdaytheyfindsherdrowneddeadinHunter’smillpond。I minditallnow。Thatwasthirtyyearago。\" Ileanedbackinmynon-rotaryrevolvingchairandnoddedgently，likeamandarin，atmypaste-pot。 \"WhenoldMikehasaspell，\"wentonUncleAbner，tepidlygarrulous，\"hethinkshe’stheWanderin’Jew。\" \"Heis，\"saidI，noddingaway。 AndUncleAbnercackledinsinuatinglyattheeditor’sremark，forhewasexpectingatleasta\"stickful\"inthe\"PersonalNotes\"ofthe_Bugle_。 XIIITHEDUPLICITYOFHARGRAVES WhenMajorPendletonTalbot，ofMobile，sir，andhisdaughter，MissLydiaTalbot，cametoWashingtontoreside，theyselectedforaboardingplaceahousethatstoodfiftyyardsbackfromoneofthequietestavenues。Itwasanold-fashionedbrickbuilding，withaporticoupheldbytallwhitepillars。Theyardwasshadedbystatelylocustsandelms，andacatalpatreeinseasonraineditspinkandwhiteblossomsuponthegrass。Rowsofhighboxbusheslinedthefenceandwalks。ItwastheSouthernstyleandaspectoftheplacethatpleasedtheeyesoftheTalbots。 Inthispleasant，privateboardinghousetheyengagedrooms，includingastudyforMajorTalbot，whowasaddingthefinishingchapterstohisbook，\"AnecdotesandReminiscencesoftheAlabamaArmy，Bench，andBar。\" MajorTalbotwasoftheold，oldSouth。Thepresentdayhadlittleinterestorexcellenceinhiseyes。HismindlivedinthatperiodbeforetheCivilWar，whentheTalbotsownedthousandsofacresoffinecottonlandandtheslavestotillthem；whenthefamilymansionwasthesceneofprincelyhospitality，anddrewitsguestsfromthearistocracyoftheSouth。Outofthatperiodhehadbroughtallitsoldprideandscruplesofhonour，anantiquatedandpunctiliouspoliteness，and（youwouldthink） itswardrobe。 Suchclothesweresurelynevermadewithinfiftyyears。Themajorwastall，butwheneverhemadethatwonderful，archaicgenuflexionhecalledabow，thecornersofhisfrockcoatsweptthefloor。ThatgarmentwasasurpriseeventoWashington，whichhaslongagoceasedtoshyatthefrocksandbroadbrimmedhatsofSoutherncongressmen。Oneoftheboarderschristenedita\"FatherHubbard，\"anditcertainlywashighinthewaistandfullintheskirt。 Butthemajor，withallhisqueerclothes，hisimmenseareaofplaited，ravellingshirtbosom，andthelittleblackstringtiewiththebowalwaysslippingononeside，bothwassmiledatandlikedinMrs。Vardeman’sselectboardinghouse。Someoftheyoungdepartmentclerkswouldoften\"stringhim，\"astheycalledit，gettinghimstarteduponthesubjectdearesttohim——thetraditionsandhistoryofhisbelovedSouthland。 Duringhistalkshewouldquotefreelyfromthe\"AnecdotesandReminiscences。\"Buttheywereverycarefulnottolethimseetheirdesigns，forinspiteofhissixty-eightyears，hecouldmaketheboldestofthemuncomfortableunderthesteadyregardofhispiercinggrayeyes。 MissLydiawasaplump，littleoldmaidofthirty-five，withsmoothlydrawn，tightlytwistedhairthatmadeherlookstillolder。Oldfashioned，too，shewas；butante-bellumglorydidnotradiatefromherasitdidfromthemajor。Shepossessedathriftycommonsense；anditwasshewhohandledthefinancesofthefamily，andmetallcomerswhentherewerebillstopay。Themajorregardedboardbillsandwashbillsascontemptiblenuisances。Theykeptcominginsopersistentlyandsooften。Why，themajorwantedtoknow，couldtheynotbefiledandpaidinalumpsumatsomeconvenientperiod——saywhenthe\"AnecdotesandReminiscences\"hadbeenpublishedandpaidfor？MissLydiawouldcalmlygoonwithhersewingandsay，\"We’llpayaswegoaslongasthemoneylasts，andthenperhapsthey’llhavetolumpit。\" MostofMrs。Vardeman’sboarderswereawayduringtheday，beingnearlyalldepartmentclerksandbusinessmen；buttherewasoneofthemwhowasaboutthehouseagreatdealfrommorningtonight。ThiswasayoungmannamedHenryHopkinsHargraves——everyoneinthehouseaddressedhimbyhisfullname——whowasengagedatoneofthepopularvaudevilletheatres。Vaudevillehasrisentosucharespectableplaneinthelastfewyears，andMr。Hargraveswassuchamodestandwell-manneredperson，thatMrs。Vardemancouldfindnoobjectiontoenrollinghimuponherlistofboarders。 AtthetheatreHargraveswasknownasanall-rounddialectcomedian，havingalargerepertoireofGerman，Irish，Swede，andblack-facespecialties。ButMr。Hargraveswasambitious，andoftenspokeofhisgreatdesiretosucceedinlegitimatecomedy。 ThisyoungmanappearedtoconceiveastrongfancyforMajorTalbot。 WheneverthatgentlemanwouldbeginhisSouthernreminiscences，orrepeatsomeoftheliveliestoftheanecdotes，Hargravescouldalwaysbefound，themostattentiveamonghislisteners。 Foratimethemajorshowedaninclinationtodiscouragetheadvancesofthe\"playactor，\"asheprivatelytermedhim；butsoontheyoungman’sagreeablemannerandindubitableappreciationoftheoldgentleman’sstoriescompletelywonhimover。 Itwasnotlongbeforethetwowerelikeoldchums。Themajorsetaparteachafternoontoreadtohimthemanuscriptofhisbook。DuringtheanecdotesHargravesneverfailedtolaughatexactlytherightpoint。ThemajorwasmovedtodeclaretoMissLydiaonedaythatyoungHargravespossessedremarkableperceptionandagratifyingrespectfortheoldregime。Andwhenitcametotalkingofthoseolddays——ifMajorTalbotlikedtotalk，Mr。Hargraveswasentrancedtolisten。 Likealmostalloldpeoplewhotalkofthepast，themajorlovedtolingeroverdetails。Indescribingthesplendid，almostroyal，daysoftheoldplanters，hewouldhesitateuntilhehadrecalledthenameoftheNegrowhoheldhishorse，ortheexactdateofcertainminorhappenings，orthenumberofbalesofcottonraisedinsuchayear；butHargravesnevergrewimpatientorlostinterest。Onthecontrary，hewouldadvancequestionsonavarietyofsubjectsconnectedwiththelifeofthattime，andheneverfailedtoextractreadyreplies。 Thefoxhunts，the’possumsuppers，thehoedownsandjubileesintheNegroquarters，thebanquetsintheplantation-househall，wheninvitationswentforfiftymilesaround；theoccasionalfeudswiththeneighbouringgentry；themajor’sduelwithRathboneCulbertsonaboutKittyChalmers，whoafterwardmarriedaThwaiteofSouthCarolina；andprivateyachtracesforfabuloussumsonMobileBay；thequaintbeliefs，improvidenthabits，andloyalvirtuesoftheoldslaves——alltheseweresubjectsthatheldboththemajorandHargravesabsorbedforhoursatatime。 Sometimes，atnight，whentheyoungmanwouldbecomingupstairstohisroomafterhisturnatthetheatrewasover，themajorwouldappearatthedoorofhisstudyandbeckonarchlytohim。Goingin，Hargraveswouldfindalittletablesetwithadecanter，sugarbowl，fruit，andabigbunchoffreshgreenmint。