1877
CONTENTS
————
THEMANWHOLOSTHISNAME
THESTORYOFANOUTCAST
AGOOD—FOR—NOTHING
ASCIENTIFICVAGABOND
TRULS，THENAMELESS
ASATHOR’SVENGEANCE
TALESFROMTWOHEMISPHERES。
THEMANWHOLOSTHISNAME。
ONtheseconddayofJune，186——，ayoungNorseman，HalfdanBjerkbyname，landedonthepieratCastleGarden。Hepassedthroughthestraightandnarrowgatewherehewasaskedhisname，birthplace，andhowmuchmoneyhehad，——atwhichhegrewverymuchfrightened。
\"Andyourdestination？\"——demandedthegruff—lookingfunctionaryatthedesk。
\"America，\"saidtheyouth，andtouchedhishatpolitely。
\"DoyouthinkIhavetimeforjoking？\"
roaredtheofficial，withanoath。
TheNorsemanranhishandthroughhishair，smiledhistimidlyconciliatorysmile，andtriedhisbesttolookbrave;buthishandtrembledandhisheartthumpedawayatanalarminglyquickenedtempo。
\"PuthimdownforNebraska！\"criedastoutred—cheekedindividual（inwrappedinthemingledfumesoftobaccoandwhisky）whosefunctionitwastoopenandshutthegate。
\"ThereaintmanyasgotoNebraska。\"
\"Allright，Nebraska。\"
Thegateswungopenandthepressurefrombehindurgedthetimidtraveleron，whileanextrapushfromthegate—keepersenthimflyinginthedirectionofaboardfence，wherehesatdownandtriedtorealizethathewasnowinthelandofliberty。
HalfdanBjerkwasatall，slender—limbedyouthofverydelicateframe;hehadapairofwonderfullycandid，unreflectingblueeyes，asmooth，clear，beardlessface，andsoft，wavylighthair，whichwaspushedbackfromhisforeheadwithoutparting。Hismouthandchinwerewellcut，buttheirlineswere，perhaps，ratherweakforaman。Wheninrepose，theensembleofhisfeatureswasexceedinglypleasingandsomehowremindedoneofCorreggio’sSt。John。Hehadlefthisnativelandbecausehewasanardentrepublicanandwasabstractlyconvincedthatman，genericallyandindividually，livesmorehappilyinarepublicthaninamonarchy。
Hehadanticipatedwithkeenpleasurethelarge，freelybreathinglifehewastoleadinalandwhereeverymanwashisneighbor’sbrother，wherenosenselesstraditionskeptajealouswatchoverobsoletesystemsandshrines，andnochillingprejudiceblightedthespontaneousblossomingofthesoul。
Halfdanwasanonlychild。Hisfather，apoorgovernmentofficial，haddiedduringhisinfancy，andhismotherhadgivenmusiclessons，andkeptboarders，inordertogainthemeanstogivehersonwhatiscalledalearnededucation。
IntheLatinschoolHalfdanhadenjoyedthereputationofbeingabrightyouth，andattheageofeighteen，hehadenteredtheuniversityunderthemostpromisingauspices。Hecouldmakeveryfairverses，andplayallimaginableinstrumentswithequalease，whichmadehimafavoriteinsociety。Moreover，hepossessedthatveryold—fashionedaccomplishmentofcuttingsilhouettes;andwhatwasmore，hecoulddrawthemostcharminglyfantasticarabesquesforembroiderypatterns，andheevendabbledinportraitandlandscapepainting。
Whateverheturnedhishandto，hedidwell，infact，astonishinglywellforadilettante，andyetnotwellenoughtoclaimthetitleofanartist。Nordiditeveroccurtohimtomakesuchaclaim。Asoneofhisfellow—studentsremarkedinafitofjealousy，\"OncewhenNaturehadmadethreegeniuses，apoet，amusician，andapainter，shetookalltheremainingoddsandendsandshookthemtogetheratrandomandtheresultwasHalfdanBjerk。\"Thisagreeablemelangeofaccomplishments，however，provedveryattractivetotheladies，whoinvitedthepossessortoinnumerableafternoontea—parties，wheretheydrewheavydraftsonhisunflaggingpatience，andkepthimsteadilyengagedwithpatternsanddesignsforembroidery，leatherflowers，andotherdaintyknickknacks。
Andinreturnforallhisexertionstheycalledhim\"sweet\"and\"beautiful，\"andappliedtohimmanyotherenthusiasticadjectivesseldomheardinconnectionwithmasculinenames。Intheuniversity，talentsofthisordergainedbutslightrecognition，andwhenHalfdanhadforthreeyearsbeenpreparinghimselfinvainfortheexamenphilosophicum，hefoundhimselfslowlyandimperceptiblydriftingintotheranksoftheso—calledstudiosiperpetui，whopreserveasolemnsilenceattheexaminationtables，fraternizewitheverynewgenerationoffreshmen，andatlastbecomepartofthefixedfurnitureoftheirAlmaMater。InthelargerAmericancolleges，suchmenaremercilesslydroppedorsenttoaDivinitySchool;buttheEuropeanuniversities，whosetempersthecenturieshavemellowed，harborintheirspaciousGothicbosomsatendererheartfortheirunfortunatesons。Theretheprofessorsgreetthematthegreentableswithagood—humoredsmileofrecognition;theyaretreatedwithgentleforbearance，andareallowedtolingeron，untiltheydieorbecometutorsinthefamiliesofremoteclergymen，wheretheyinvariablyfallinlovewiththehandsomestdaughter，andthusloungeintoamodestprosperity。
IfthishadbeenthefateofourfriendBjerk，weshouldhavedismissedhimherewithaconfident\"vale\"onhislife’spilgrimage。But，unfortunately，Bjerkwasinclinedtoholdthegovernmentinsomewayresponsibleforhisownpoorsuccessasastudent，andthis，inconnectionwithanaestheticenthusiasmforancientGreece，graduallyconvincedhimthattherepublicwastheonlyformofgovernmentunderwhichmenofhistastesandtemperamentwereapttoflourish。
Itwas，likeeverythingthatpertainedtohim，acheerful，genialconviction，withouttheslightesttingeofbitterness。Theoldinstitutionswereobsolete，rottentothecore，hesaid，andneededaradicalrenovation。HecouldsitforhoursofaneveningintheStudents’Union，anddiscourseoveraglassofmildtoddy，onthebenefitsofuniversalsuffrageandtrialbyjury，whilethepicturesquenessofhislanguage，hisgenialsarcasms，oroccasionalwittyallusionswouldcallforthuproariousapplausefromthrongsofadmiringfreshmen。ThesewerethesunnydaysinHalfdan’scareer，dayslongtoberemembered。TheycametoanabruptendwhenoldMrs。Bjerkdied，leavingnothingbehindherbutherfurnitureandsometriflingdebts。Theson，whowasnotaneminentlypracticalman，underwentlonghoursofmiseryintryingtosettleupheraffairs，andfinallyinamomentofextremedejectionsoldhisentireinheritanceinalumptoapawnbroker（reservingforhimselfafewringsandtrinkets）forthemodestsumof250dollarsspecie。HethentookformalleaveoftheStudents’Unioninabrilliantspeech，inwhichhetracedtheparallelismsbetweenthelivesofPericlesandWashington，——
inhisopinionthetwogreatestmentheworldhadeverseen，——expoundedhistheoryofdemocraticgovernment，andexplainedthecausesoftherapidriseoftheAmericanRepublic。
ThenextmorningheexchangedhalfofhisworldlypossessionsforatickettoNewYork，andwithinafewdayssetsailforthelandofpromise，inthefarWest。
II。
FromCastleGarden，HalfdanmadehiswayupthroughGreenwichstreet，pursuedbyaclamoroustroopofconfidencemenandhotelrunners。
\"KommenSiemitmir。IchbinauchDeutsch，\"criedone。\"Voila，voila，jeparleFrancais，\"shoutedanother，seizingholdofhisvalise。\"JegerDansk。TaleDansk，\"[1]roaredathird，withanaccentwhichseriouslyimpeachedhistruthfulness。Inordertoescapefromtheseimportunaterascals，whowereeverymomentgettingbolder，hethrewhimselfintothefirststreet—carwhichhappenedtopass;hesatdown，gazedoutofthewindowsandsoonbecamesothoroughlyabsorbedintheanimatedsceneswhichmovedasinapanoramabeforehiseyes，thathequiteforgotwherehewasgoing。
Theconductorcalledforfares，andreceivedanEnglishshilling，which，aftersomeineffectualexpostulation，hepocketed，butgavenochange。
Atlastafteraboutanhour’sjourney，thecarstopped，theconductorcalledout\"CentralPark，\"andHalfdanwokeupwithastart。Hedismountedwithatimid，deliberatestep，staredindimbewildermentatthelongrowsofpalatialresidences，andachillsenseoflonelinesscreptoverhim。Thehopelessstrangenessofeverythinghesaw，insteadoffillinghimwithraptureashehadonceanticipated，Sentacoldshivertohisheart。Itisaverylargeaffair，thisworldofours——agooddeallargerthanitappearedtohimgazingoutuponitfromhissnuglittlecornerupunderthePole;anditwasasunsympatheticasitwaslarge;hesuddenlyfeltwhathehadneverbeenawareofbefore——
thathewasaverysmallpartofitandofverylittleaccountafterall。Hestaggeredovertoabenchattheentrancetothepark，andsatlongwatchingthefinecarriagesastheydashedpasthim;hesawthehandsomewomeninbrilliantcostumeslaughingandchattinggayly;theapatheticpolicemenpromenadinginstoicdignityupanddownuponthesmoothpavements;thejauntilyattirednurses，whominhisNorseinnocencehetookformothersorauntsofthechil—
dren，wheelingbaby—carriageswhichtoNorseeyesseemedmiraclesofdaintyingenuity，undertheshadycrownsoftheelm—trees。Hedidnotknowhowlonghehadbeensittingthere，whenalittlebright—eyedgirlwithlightkidgloves，asmallblueparasolandabluepolonaise，quitealadyoffashionenminiature，stoppedinfrontofhimandstaredathiminshywonder。Hehadalwaysbeenfondofchildren，andoftenrejoicedintheiraffectionatewaysandconfidentialprattle，andnowitsuddenlytouchedhimwithawarmsenseofhumanfellowshiptohavethislittledaintilybefrilledandcrisplystarchedbeautysinglehimoutfornoticeamongthehundredswhoreclinedinthearbors，orsaunteredtoandfrounderthegreattrees。
[1]\"IamaDane。IspeakDanish。\"
\"Whatisyourname，mylittlegirl？\"heasked，inatoneoffriendlyinterest。
\"Clara，\"answeredthechild，hesitatingly;
then，havingbyanotherlookassuredherselfofhisharmlessness，sheadded：\"Howveryfunnyyouspeak！\"
\"Yes，\"hesaid，stoopingdowntotakehetinybeglovedhand。\"Idonotspeakaswellasyoudo，yet;butIshallsoonlearn。\"
Claralookedpuzzled。
\"Howoldareyou？\"sheasked，raisingherparasol，andthrowingbackherheadwithanairofsuperiority。
\"Iamtwenty—fouryearsold。\"
Shebegantocounthalfaloudonherfingers：
\"One，two，three，four，\"but，beforeshereachedtwenty，shelostherpatience。
\"Twenty—four，\"sheexclaimed，\"thatisagreatdeal。Iamonlyseven，andpapagavemeaponyonmybirthday。Haveyougotapony？\"
\"No;Ihavenothingbutwhatisinthisvalise，andyouknowIcouldnotverywellgetaponyintoit。\"
Claraglancedcuriouslyatthevaliseandlaughed;thensuddenlyshegrewseriousagain，putherhandintoherpocketandseemedtobesearchingeagerlyforsomething。Presentlyshehauledoutasmallporcelaindoll’shead，thenared—paintedblockwithlettersonit，andatlastapenny。
\"Doyouwantthem？\"shesaid，reachinghimhertreasuresinbothhands。\"Youmayhavethemall。\"
Beforehehadtimetoanswer，ashrill，penetratingvoicecriedout：
\"Why，gracious！child，whatareyoudoing？\"
Andthenurse，whohadbeendeeplyabsorbedin\"TheNewYorkLedger，\"camerushingup，snatchedthechildaway，andretreatedashastilyasshehadcome。
Halfdanroseandwanderedforhoursaimlesslyalongtheintertwiningroadsandfootpaths。
Hevisitedthemenageries，admiredthestatues，tookaverylightdinner，consistingofcoffee，sandwiches，andice，attheChinesePavilion，and，towardevening，discoveredaninvitingleafyarbor，wherehecouldwithdrawintotheprivacyofhisownthoughts，andponderuponthestillunsolvedproblemofhisdestiny。Thelittleincidentwiththechildhadtakentheedgeoffhisunhappinessandturnedhimintoamoreconciliatorymoodtowardhimselfandthegreatpitilessworld，whichseemedtotakesolittlenoticeofhim。Andhe，whohadcomeherewithsowarmaheartandsoardentawilltojoininthegreatworkofhumanadvancement——tofindhimselfthusharshlyignoredandbuffetedabout，asifhewereahostileintruder！Beforehimlaythehugeunknowncitywherehumanlifepulsatedwithlarge，fullheart—throbs，whereabreathless，weirdintensity，acold，fiercepassionseemedtobehurryingeverythingonwardinamaddeningwhirl，whereagentle，warm—
bloodedenthusiastlikehimselfhadnoplaceandcouldexpectnaughtbutaspeedydestruction。
Astrange，unconquerabledreadtookpossessionofhim，asifhehadbeencaughtinaswift，strongwhirlpool，fromwhichhevainlystruggledtoescape。Hecroucheddownamongthefoliageandshuddered。Hecouldnotreturntothecity。No，no：heneverwouldreturn。Hewouldremainherehiddenandunseenuntilmorning，andthenhewouldseekavesselboundforhisdearnativeland，wherethegreatmountainsloomedupinserenemajestytowardthebluesky，wherethepine—forestswhisperedtheirdreamilysympatheticlegends，inthelongsummertwilights，wherehumanexistenceflowedonincalmbeautywiththemodestaims，smallvirtues，andsmallviceswhichwerethehappinessofmodest，idyllicsouls。Heevensawhimselfinspiritrecountingtohisastonishedcountrymenthewonderfulthingshehadheardandseenduringhisforeignpilgrimage，andsmiledtohimselfasheimaginedtheirwonderwhenheshouldtellthemaboutthebeautifullittlegirlwhohadbeenthefirstandonlyonetoofferhimafriendlygreetinginthestrangeland。Duringthesereflectionshefellasleep，andsleptsoundlyfortwoorthreehours。Once，heseemedtohearfootstepsandwhispersamongthetrees，andmadeanefforttorousehimself，butwearinessagainovermasteredhimandheslepton。Atlast，hefelthimselfseizedviolentlybytheshoulders，andagruffvoiceshoutedinhisear：
\"Getup，yousleepydog。\"
Herubbedhiseyes，and，bythedimlightofthemoon，sawaHerculeanpolicemanliftingastoutstickoverhishead。Hisformerterrorcameuponhimwithincreasedviolence，andhisheartstoodforamomentstill，then，again，hammeredawayasifitwouldbursthissides。
\"Comealong！\"roaredthepoliceman，shakinghimvehementlybythecollarofhiscoat。
Inhisbewildermenthequiteforgotwherehewas，and，inhurriedNorsesentences，assuredhispersecutorthathewasaharmless，honesttraveler，andimploredhimtoreleasehim。ButtheofficialHerculeswasinexorable。
\"Myvalise，myvalise;\"criedHalfdan。
\"Prayletmegetmyvalise。\"
Theyreturnedtotheplacewherehehadslept，butthevalisewasnowheretobefound。
Then，withdumbdespairheresignedhimselftohisfate，andafterabriefrideonastreet—car，foundhimselfstandinginalarge，low—ceiledroom;hecoveredhisfacewithhishandsandburstintotears。
\"Thegrand—thehappyrepublic，\"hemurmured，\"spontaneousblossomingofthesoul。
Alas！Ihaverootedupmylife;Ifearitwillneverblossom。\"
Allthehigh—flownadjectiveshehademployedinhispartingspeechintheStudents’Union，whenhepaidhisenthusiastictributetotheGrandRepublic，nowkeptrecurringtohim，andinthismomenttheparadoxseemedcruel。TheGrandRepublic，whatdiditcareforsuchashe？Apairofbrawnyarmsfittowieldthepick—axeandtosteertheplowitreceivedwithaneagerwelcome;forachild—like，lovingheartandagenerouslyfantasticbrain，ithadbutthesterngreetingofthelaw。
III。
Thenextmorning，HalfdanwasreleasedfromthePoliceStation，havingfirstbeenfinedfivedollarsforvagrancy。Allhismoney，withtheexceptionofafewpoundswhichhehadexchangedinLiverpool，hehadlostwithhisvalise，andhehadtohisknowledgenotasingleacquaintanceinthecityoronthewholecontinent。Inordertoincreasehiscapitalheboughtsomefifty\"Tribunes，\"but，asitwasalreadylateintheday，hehardlysucceededinsellingasinglecopy。Thenextmorning，heoncemorestationedhimselfonthecornerofMurraystreetandBroadway，hopinginhisinnocencetodisposeofthepapershehadstillonhandfromthepreviousday，andactuallydidfindafewcustomersamongthepeoplewhowerejumpinginandoutoftheomnibusesthatpassedupanddownthegreatthoroughfare。
Tohissurprise，however，oneofthesegentlemenreturnedtohimwithaverywrathfulcountenance，shookhisfistathim，andvociferatedwithexcitedgesturessomethingwhichtoHalfdan’searshadaveryunintelligiblesound。
Hemadeavainefforttodefendhimself;thesituationappearedsoutterlyincomprehensibletohim，andinhisdumbhelplessnesshelookedpitifulenoughtomovetheheartofastone。
NoEnglishphrasesuggesteditselftohim，onlyafewNorseinterjectionsrosetohislips。Theman’sangersuddenlyabated;hepickedupthepaperwhichhehadthrownonthesidewalk，andstoodforawhileregardingHalfdancuriously。
\"AreyouaNorwegian？\"heasked。
\"Yes，IcamefromNorwayyesterday。\"
\"What’syourname？\"
\"HalfdanBjerk。\"
\"HalfdanBjerk！Mystars！Whowouldhavethoughtofmeetingyouhere！Youdonotrecognizeme，Isuppose。\"
Halfdandeclaredwithatimidtremorinhisvoicethathecouldnotatthemomentrecallhisfeatures。
\"No，IimagineImusthavechangedagooddealsinceyousawme，\"saidtheman，suddenlydroppingintoNorwegian。\"IamGustavOlson，Iusedtoliveinthesamehousewithyouonce，butthatislongagonow。\"
GustavOlson——tobesure，hewastheporter’ssoninthehouse，wherehismotherhadonceduringhischildhood，takenaflat。Hewellrememberedhavingclandestinelytradedjack—
knivesandbuttonswithhim，inspiteofthefrequentwarningshehadreceivedtohavenothingtodowithhim;forGustav，withhisbroadfreckledfaceandredhair，waslookeduponbythegenteelinhabitantsoftheupperflatsasratheradisreputablecharacter。Hehadoncewhippedthesonofacolonelwhohadbeenimpudenttohim，andthrownasnow—ballattheheadofanew—fledgedlieutenant，whichoffenseshehaddulyexpiatedatahouseofcorrection。
SincethattimehehadvanishedfromHalfdan’shorizon。Hehadstillthesamebroadfreckledface，nowcoveredwithalustygrowthofcoarseredbeard，thesamerebelliousheadofhair，whichrefusedtoyieldtothesubduinginfluencesofthecomb，thesameplebeianhandsandfeet，anduncouthclumsinessofform。Buthislinenwasirreproachable，andacertaindashinhismanner，andtheloudfashionablenessofhisattire，gaveunmistakableevidencesofprosperity。
\"Come，Bjerk，\"saidheinatoneofgood—
fellowship，whichwasnotwithoutitsstingtotheidealisticrepublican，\"youmusttakeupabetterbusinessthansellingyesterday’s`Tribune。’
Thatwon’tpayhere，youknow。ComealongtoourofficeandIwillseeifsomethingcan’tbedoneforyou。\"
\"ButIshouldbesorrytogiveyoutrouble，\"
stammeredHalfdan，whosenativepride，eveninhispresentwretchedness，protestedagainstacceptingafavorfromonewhomhehadbeenwonttoregardashisinferior。
\"Nonsense，myboy。Hurryup，Ihaven’tmuchtimetospare。Theofficeisonlytwoblocksfromhere。Youdon’tlookasifyoucouldaffordtothrowawayafriendlyoffer。\"
ThelastwordssuddenlyrousedHalfdanfromhisapathy;forhefeltthattheyweretrue。A
drowningmancannotaffordtomakenicedistinctions——cannotaffordtoaskwhetherthehelpinghandthatisextendedtohimbethatofanequaloraninferior。SoheswallowedhishumiliationandthreadedhiswaythroughthebewilderingturmoilofBroadway，bythesideofhisofficiousfriend。
Theyenteredalarge，elegantlyfurnishedoffice，whereclerkswithsleekandseverelyapatheticcountenancesstoodscribblingattheirdesks。
\"Youwillhavetoamuseyourselfasbestyoucan，\"saidOlson。\"Mr。VanKirkwillbehereintwentyminutes。Ihaven’ttimetoentertainyou。\"
Adrearyhalfhourpassed。Thenthedooropenedandatall，handsomeman，withafullgrayishbeard，andacommandingpresence，enteredandtookhisseatatadeskinasmalleradjoiningoffice。Heopened，withgreatdispatch，apileofletterswhichlayonthedeskbeforehim，calledoutinasharp，ringingtoneforaclerk，whopromptlyappeared，handedhimhalf—a—dozenletters，accompanyingeachwithabriefdirection，tooksomecleanpaperfromadrawerandfelltowriting。Therewassomethingbrisk，determined，andbusiness—likeinhismanner，whichmadeitseemveryhopelesstoHalfdantoappearbeforehimasapetitioner。
PresentlyOlsonenteredtheprivateoffice，closingthedoorbehindhim，andafewminuteslaterre—appearedandsummonedHalfdanintothechief’spresence。
\"YouareaNorwegian，Ihear，\"saidthemerchant，lookingaroundoverhisshoulderatthesupplicant，withapreoccupiedair。\"Youwantwork。Whatcanyoudo？\"
Whatcanyoudo？Afatalquestion。Butherewasclearlynoopportunityformentaldebate。So，summoningallhiscourage，butfeelingneverthelessveryfaint，heanswered：
\"Ihavepassedbothexamenartiumandphilosophicum，[2]andgotmylaudclearintheformer，butinthelatterhaudonthefirstpoint。\"
[2]ExamenartiumistheentranceexaminationtotheNorwegianUniversity，andphilosophicumthefirstdegree。TheranksgivenattheseareLaudabilispraeceteris（instudent’sparlance，prae），laudabilisorlaud，haudillaudabilis，orhaud，etc。
Mr。VanKirkwheeledroundonhischairandfacedthespeaker：
\"ThatisallGreektome，\"hesaid，inaseveretone。\"Canyoukeepaccounts？\"
\"No。Iamafraidnot。\"
KeepingaccountswasnotdeemedaclassicalaccomplishmentinNorway。Itwasonly\"trade—
rats\"whotroubledthemselvesaboutsuchgrossthings，andifourNorsemanhadnotbeentooabsorbedwiththeproblemofhisdestiny，hewouldhavebeenjustlyindignantathavingsuchaquestionputtohim。
\"Thenyoudon’tknowbook—keeping？\"
\"Ithinknot。Inevertriedit。\"
\"Thenyoumaybesureyoudon’tknowit。
Butyoumustcertainlyhavetriedyourhandatsomething。Istherenothingyoucanthinkofwhichmighthelpyoutogetaliving？\"
\"Icanplaythepiano——and——andtheviolin。\"
\"Verywell，then。Youmaycomethisafternoontomyhouse。Mr。Olsonwilltellyoutheaddress。IwillgiveyouanotetoMrs。VanKirk。Perhapsshewillengageyouasamusicteacherforthechildren。Goodmorning。\"
IV。
Athalf—pastfouro’clockintheafternoon，Halfdanfoundhimselfstandinginalarge，dimlylighteddrawing—room，whosebrilliantupholstery，luxuriouscarpets，andfantasticallytwistedfurnituredazzledandbewilderedhissenses。Allwassostrange，sostrange;nowhereafamiliarobjecttogiveresttotheweariedeye。Whereverhelookedhesawhisshabbilyattiredfigurerepeatedinthelongcrystalmirrors，andhebecameuncomfortablyconsciousofhisthreadbarecoat，hisuncouthboots，andthegeneralincongruityofhisappearance。Witheverymomenthisuneasinessgrew;andhewasvaguelyconsideringtheproprietyofaprecipitateflight，whentherustleofadressatthefartherendoftheroomstartledhim，andasmall，plumplady，ofadaintilyexquisiteform，sweptuptowardhim，gaveaslightinclinationofherhead，andsankdownintoaneasy—chair：
\"YouareMr。————，theNorwegian，whowishestogivemusiclessons？\"shesaid，holdingapairofgold—framedeyeglassesuptohereyes，andrunningoverthenotewhichsheheldinherhand。Itreadasfollows：
DEARMARTHA，——ThebearerofthisnoteisayoungNorwegian，Iforgottoascertainhisname，afriendofOlson’s。Hewishestoteachmusic。Ifyoucanhelpthepoordevilandgivehimsomethingtodo，youwilloblige，Yours，H。V。K。
Mrs。VanKirkwasevidently，byatleasttwelveyears，herhusband’sjunior，andapparentlynotveryfaradvancedintheforties。Herblondehair，whichwasfreshlycrimped，felllightlyoverhersmooth，narrowforehead;hernose，mouthandchinhadaneatdistinctnessofoutline;hercomplexionwaseithernaturallyorartificiallyperfect，andhereyes，whichwereofthepurestblue，had，owingtotheirnear—sightedness，acertainpinchedandscrutinizinglook。
Thislook，whichwaswithouttheslightesttouchofseverity，indicatingmerelyalivelydegreeofinterest，wasfurtheremphasizedbythreesmallperpendicularwrinkles，whichdeepenedandagainrelaxedaccordingtothevaryingintensityofobservationshebestowedupontheobjectwhichforthetimeengagedherattention。
\"Yourname，ifyouplease？\"saidMrs。VanKirk，havingforawhilemeasuredhervisitorwithaglanceofmildscrutiny。
\"HalfdanBjerk。\"
\"Half—danB————，howdoyouspellthat？\"
\"B—j—e—r—k。\"
\"B—jerk。Well，butImean，whatisyournameinEnglish？\"
Halfdanlookedblank，andblushedtohisears。
\"Iwishtoknow，\"continuedtheladyenergetically，evidentlyanxioustohelphimout，\"whatyournamewouldmeaninplainEnglish。
Bjerk，itcertainlymustmeansomething。\"
\"Bjerkisatree——abirch—tree。\"
\"Verywell，Birch，——thatisaveryrespectablename。Andyourfirstname？Whatdidyousaythatwas？
\"H—a—l—f—d—a—n。\"
\"HalfDan。WhynotawholeDanandbedonewithit？DanBirch，orratherDanielBirch。Indeed，thatsoundsquiteChristian。\"
\"Asyouplease，madam，\"falteredthevictim，;
lookingveryunhappy。
\"Youwillpardonmystraightforwardness，won’tyou？B—jerk。Icouldneverpronouncethat，youknow。\"
\"Whatevermaybeagreeabletoyou，madam，willbesuretopleaseme。\"
\"Thatisverywellsaid。Andyouwillfindthatitalwayspaystotrytopleaseme。Andyouwishtoteachmusic？IfyouhavenoobjectionIwillcallmyoldestdaughter。Sheisanexcellentjudgeofmusic，andifyourplayingmeetswithherapproval，Iwillengageyou，asmyhusbandsuggests，nottoteachEdith，youunderstand，butmyyoungestchild，Clara。\"
Halfdanbowedassent，andMrs。VanKirkrustledoutintothehallwheresherangabell，andre—entered。Aservantindress—coatappeared，andagainvanishedasnoiselesslyashehadcome。ToourNorsemantherewassomethingweirdanduncannyaboutthesesilententrancesandexits;hecouldhardlysuppressashudder。Hehadbeenaccustomedtoheartheclatterofpeople’sheelsuponthebarefloors，astheyapproached，andtheaudiblecrescendooftheirfootstepsgaveonewarning，andpreventedonefrombeingtakenbysurprise。Whileabsorbedinthesereflections，hissensesmusthavebeendormant;forjustthenMissEdithVanKirkentered，unheraldedbyanythingbutahoveringperfume，theeffectofwhichwastolullhimstilldeeperintohiswonderingabstraction。
\"Mr。Birch，\"saidMrs。VanKirk，\"thisismydaughterMissEdith，\"andasHalfdansprangtohisfeetandbowedwithvisibleembarrassment，shecontinued：
\"Edith，thisisMr。DanielBirch，whomyourfatherhassentheretoknowifhewouldbeserviceableasamusicteacherforClara。Andnow，dear，youwillhavetodecideaboutthemeritsofMr。Birch。Idon’tknowenoughaboutmusictobeanythingofajudge。\"
\"IfMr。Birchwillbekindenoughtoplay，\"
saidMissEdithwithalanguidlymusicalintonation，\"Ishallbehappytolistentohim。\"
Halfdansilentlysignifiedhiswillingnessandfollowedtheladiestoasmallerapartmentwhichwasseparatedfromthedrawing—roombyfoldingdoors。Theapparitionofthebeautifulyounggirlwhowaswalkingathissidehadsuddenlyfilledhimwithastrangeburningandshudderinghappiness;hecouldnottearhiseyesawayfromher;sheheldhimasbyapowerfulspell。Andstill，allthewhilehehadapainfulsub—consciousnessofhisownunfortunateappearance，whichwasthrownintocruelreliefbyhersplendor。Thetall，lithemagnificenceofherform，theairyeleganceofhertoilet，whichseemedtheperfectionofself—concealingart，theelasticdeliberatenessofherstep——allwroughtlikeagentle，deliciouslysoothingopiateupontheNorseman’sfancyandliftedhimintohithertounknownregionsofmingledmiseryandbliss。Sheseemedacombinationofthemostdivinecontradictions，onemomentsupremelyconscious，andinthenextadorablychild—likeandsimple，nowfullofartsandcoquettishinnuendoes，thenagainnave，unthinkingandalmostboyishlybluntanddirect;inaword，oneofthosemiraculousNewYorkgirlswhomabstractlyonemaydisapproveof，butintheconcretemustabjectlyadore。Thiseasypredominanceofthemasculineheartoverthemas—
culinereasoninthepresenceofanimpressivewoman，hasbeenthemotifofathousandtragediesintimespast，andwillinspireathousandmoreintimestocome。
HalfdansatdownatthegrandpianoandplayedChopin’sNocturneinGmajor，flingingoutthatelaboratefiligreeofsoundwithanimpetuosityandsuperbABANDONwhichcausedtheladiestoexchangeastonishedglancesbehindhisback。Thetransitionsfromthelightandetherealtextureofmelodytothesimple，moreconcretetheme，whichherenderedwithdelicateshadingsofarticulation，weresufficientlystartlingtoimpressevenalesscultivatedearthanthatofEdithVanKirk，whohad，indeed，exhaustedwhatevermusicalresourcesNewYorkhastooffer。Andshewasmostprofoundlyimpressed。Asheglidedoverthelastpianissimonotestowardthetwoconcludingchords（anendingsocharacteristicofChopin）sheroseandhurriedtohissidewithaheedlesseagerness，whichwasmoreeloquentthanemphaticwordsofpraise。
\"Won’tyoupleaserepeatthispassage？\"shesaid，hummingtheairwithsoftmodulations;
\"Ihavealwaysregardedthemonotonousrepetitionofthisstrain\"（andsheindicateditlightlybyafewtouchesofthekeys）\"asratherablemishofanotherwiseperfectcomposition。
Butasyouplayit，itisanythingbutmonotonous。
YouputintothissinglephraseamoreintensemeaningandagreatervarietyofthoughtthanIeversuspecteditwascapableofexpressing。\"
\"Itismyfavoritecomposition，\"answeredhe，modestly。\"IhavebestowedmorethoughtuponitthanuponanythingIhaveeverplayed，unlessperhapsitbetheoneinGminor，which，withallitsdifferenceofmoodandphraseology，expressesanessentiallykindredthought。\"
\"MydearMr。Birch，\"exclaimedMrs。VanKirk，whomhisskillfulemploymentoftechnicalterms（inspiteofhisindifferentaccent）hadimpressedevenmorethanhisrenderingofthemusic，——\"youareacomsummate{sic}artist，andweshalldeemitagreatprivilegeifyouwillundertaketoinstructourchild。Ihavelistenedtoyouwithprofoundsatisfaction。\"
Halfdanacknowledgedthecomplimentbyabowandablush，andrepeatedthelatterpartofthenocturneaccordingtoEdith’srequest。
\"Andnow，\"resumedEdith，\"mayItroubleyoutoplaytheGminor，whichhasevenpuzzledmemorethantheoneyouhavejustplayed。\"
\"Itoughtreallytohavebeenplayedfirst，\"
repliedHalfdan。\"Itisfarintenserinitscoloringandhasamorepassionatering，butitsconclusiondoesnotseemtobefinal。Thereisnorestinit，anditseemsoddlyenoughtobeameretransitionintothemajor，whichisitspropersupplementandcompletesthefragmentarythought。\"
Motheranddaughteroncemoretelegraphedwonderinglooksateachother，whileHalfdanplungedintotheimpetuousmovementsoftheminornocturne，whichheplayedtotheendwithever—increasingfervorandanimation。
\"Mr。Birch，\"saidEdith，ashearosefromthepianowithaflushedface，andtheagitationofthemusicstilltinglingthroughhisnerves。
\"Youareafargreatermusicianthanyouseemtobeawareof。Ihavenotbeentakinglessonsforsometime，butyouhavearousedallmymusicalambition，andifyouwillacceptmetoo，asapupil，Ishalldeemitafavor。\"
\"IhardlyknowifIcanteachyouanything，\"
answeredhe，whilehiseyesdweltwithkeendelightonherbeautifulform。\"ButinmypresentpositionIcanhardlyaffordtodeclinesoflatteringanoffer。\"
\"Youmeantosaythatyouwoulddeclineitifyouwereinapositiontodoso，\"saidshe，smiling。
\"No，onlythatIshouldquestionmyconveniencemoreclosely。\"
\"Ah，nevermind。Itakealltheresponsibility。
Ishallcheerfullyconsenttobeingimposeduponbyyou。\"
Mrs。VanKirkinthemeanwhilehadbeenexaminingthecontentsofafragrantRussia—leatherpocket—book，andshenowdrewouttwocrispten—dollarnotes，andheldthemouttowardhim。
\"Iprefertomakesureofyoubypayingyouinadvance，\"saidshe，withacheerfullyfamiliarnod，andacriticalglanceathisattire，themeaningofwhichhedidnotfailtodetect。\"Somebodyelsemightmakethesamediscoverythatwehavemadeto—day，andoutbidus。Andwedonotwanttobecheatedoutofourgoodfortuneinhavingbeenthefirsttosecuresovaluableaprize。\"
\"Youneedhavenofearonthatscore，madam，\"retortedHalfdan，withavividblush，andpurposelymisinterpretingthepolitesubterfuge。
\"Youmayrelyuponmypromise。Ishallbehereagain，assoonasyouwishmetoreturn。\"
\"Then，ifyouplease，weshalllookforyouto—morrowmorningatteno’clock。\"
AndMrs。VanKirkhesitatinglyfoldeduphernotesandreplacedtheminherpocket—book。
Toouridealisttherewassomethingextremelyodiousinthissuddenofferofmoney。Itwasthefirsttimeanyonehadofferedtopayhim，anditseemedtoputhimonalevelwithacommonday—laborer。Hisfirstimpulsewastoresentitasagratuitoushumiliation，butaglanceatMrs。VanKirk’scountenance，whichwasallaglowwithofficiousbenevolence，re—assuredhim，andhisindignationdiedaway。
ThatsameafternoonOlson，havingbeeninformedofhisfriend’sgoodfortune，volunteeredaloanofahundreddollars，andaccompaniedhimtoafashionabletailor，whereheunderwentapleasingmetamorphosis。
V。
InNorwaytheladiesdresswiththeinnocentpurposeofprotectingthemselvesagainsttheweather;ifthispurposeisstillremotelypresentinthetoiletsofAmericanwomenofto—day，itis，atallevents，sufficientlydisguisedtochallengedetection，verymuchlikeaprimitiveSanscritrootinitsFrenchandEnglishderivatives。
ThiswasthereflectionwhichwasuppermostinHalfdan’smindasEdith，ravishingtobeholdintheairygraceofherfragrantmorningtoilet，attheappointedtimetookherseatathissidebeforethepiano。Herpresenceseemedsointense，soall—absorbing，thatitleftnothoughtforthemusic。Awoman，withallthespiritualmysterieswhichthatnameimplies，hadalwaysappearedtohimratheracompositephenomenon，evenapartfromthosevariedaccessoriesofdress，inwhichasbyaninevitableanalogy，sheseesfittoexpresstheinnermultiformityofherbeing。Nevertheless，thisformerconceptionofhis，whencomparedtothatwonderfulcomplexityofethereallines，colors，tintsandhalf—
tintswhichgotomakeupthemodernNewYorkgirl，seemedinexpressiblysimple，almostwhatplainarithmeticmustappeartoamanwhohasmasteredcalculus。
Edithhadopenedoneofthosesmallred—
coveredvolumesofChopinwheretherich，wondrousmelodiesliepeacefullyfoldeduplikestrangeexoticflowersinanherbarium。Shebegantoplaythefantasiaimpromtu，whichoughttobedashedoffatasingle\"heat，\"whosepassionateimpulsehurriesitonbreathlesslytowarditsabruptfinale。ButEdithtoiledconsiderablywithherfingering，andblurredthekeenedgesofeachswiftphrasebyherindistinctar—
ticulation。Andstilltherewasasufficientlyardentintentioninherplaytosaveitfrombeingafailure。Shemadeagestureofdisgustwhenshehadfinished，shutthebook，andletherhandsdropcrosswiseinherlap。
\"Ionlywantedtogiveyouaproofofmyincapacity，\"
shesaid，turningherlargeluminousgazeuponherinstructor，\"inordertomakeyoudulyappreciatewhatyouhaveundertaken。
Now，tellmetrulyandhonestly，areyounotdiscouraged？\"
\"Notbyanymeans，\"repliedhe，whiletheraptureofherpresencerippledthroughhisnerves，\"youhavefireenoughinyoutomakeanadmirablemusician。Butyourfingers，asyet，refusetocarryoutyourfineintentions。
Theyonlyneeddiscipline。\"
\"Anddoyousupposeyoucandisciplinethem？Theyareafearfullyobstinateset，andcausemeinfinitemortification。\"
\"Wouldyouallowmetolookatyourhand？\"
Sheraisedherrighthand，andwithasortofimpulsiveheedlessnessletitdropintohis。Anexclamationofsurpriseescapedhim。
`{`}Ifyouwillpardonme，\"hesaid，\"itisasuperbhand——ahandcapableofperformingmira—
cles——musicalmiraclesImean。Onlylookhere\"
——（andhedrewtheforeandsecondfingersapart）
——\"sofirmlysetinthejointandstillsoflexible。
IdoubtifLiszthimselfcanboastafinerrowoffingers。YourhandswillsurelynotpreventyoufrombecomingasecondVonBulow，whichtomymindmeansagooddealmorethanasecondLiszt。\"
\"Thankyou，thatisquiteenough，\"sheexclaimed，withanincredulouslaugh;\"youhavedonebravely。Thatatalleventsthrowsthewholeburdenofresponsibilityuponmyself，ifIdonotbecomeasecondsomebody。Ishallbeperfectlysatisfied，however，ifyoucanonlymakemeasgoodamusicianasyouareyourself，sothatIcanrenderanottoodifficultpiecewithoutfeelingallthewhilethatIamcommittingsacrilegeinmutilatingthefinethoughtsofsomegreatcomposer。\"
\"Youaretoomodest;youdonot——\"
\"No，no，Iamnotmodest，\"sheinterruptedhimwithanimpetuositywhichstartledhim。
