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。