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。