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，thenagainna<i：>ve，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。

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