English
Itwasfouro’clockwhentheceremonywasoverandthecarriagesbegantoarrive.
Therehadbeenacrowdfollowingalltheway,owingtotheexuberanceofMarijaBerczynskas.
TheoccasionrestedheavilyuponMarija’sbroadshoulders—itwashertasktoseethatallthingswentindueform,andafterthebesthometraditions;and,flyingwildlyhitherandthither,bowlingeveryoneoutoftheway,andscoldingandexhortingalldaywithhertremendousvoice,Marijawastooeagertoseethatothersconformedtotheproprietiestoconsiderthemherself.
Shehadleftthechurchlastofall,and,desiringtoarrivefirstatthehall,hadissuedorderstothecoachmantodrivefaster.
Whenthatpersonagehaddevelopedawillofhisowninthematter,Marijahadflungupthewindowofthecarriage,and,leaningout,proceededtotellhimheropinionofhim,firstinLithuanian,whichhedidnotunderstand,andtheninPolish,whichhedid.
Havingtheadvantageofherinaltitude,thedriverhadstoodhisgroundandevenventuredtoattempttospeak;andtheresulthadbeenafuriousaltercation,which,continuingallthewaydownAshlandAvenue,hadaddedanewswarmofurchinstothecortegeateachsidestreetforhalfamile.
Thiswasunfortunate,foralreadytherewasathrongbeforethedoor.
Themusichadstartedup,andhalfablockawayyoucouldhearthedull“broom,broom”ofacello,withthesqueakingoftwofiddleswhichviedwitheachotherinintricateandaltitudinousgymnastics.
Seeingthethrong,Marijaabandonedprecipitatelythedebateconcerningtheancestorsofhercoachman,and,springingfromthemovingcarriage,plungedinandproceededtoclearawaytothehall.
Oncewithin,sheturnedandbegantopushtheotherway,roaring,meantime,“Eik!Eik!Uzdaryk-duris!”
intoneswhichmadetheorchestraluproarsoundlikefairymusic.
“Z.Graiczunas,Pasilinksminimamsdarzas.Vynas.Sznapsas.WinesandLiquors.
UnionHeadquarters”—thatwasthewaythesignsran.
Thereader,whoperhapshasneverheldmuchconverseinthelanguageoffar-offLithuania,willbegladoftheexplanationthattheplacewastherearroomofasalooninthatpartofChicagoknownas“backoftheyards.”
Thisinformationisdefiniteandsuitedtothematteroffact;buthowpitifullyinadequateitwouldhaveseemedtoonewhounderstoodthatitwasalsothesupremehourofecstasyinthelifeofoneofGod’sgentlestcreatures,thesceneoftheweddingfeastandthejoy-transfigurationoflittleOnaLukoszaite!
Shestoodinthedoorway,shepherdedbyCousinMarija,breathlessfrompushingthroughthecrowd,andinherhappinesspainfultolookupon.
Therewasalightofwonderinhereyesandherlidstrembled,andherotherwisewanlittlefacewasflushed.
Sheworeamuslindress,conspicuouslywhite,andastifflittleveilcomingtohershoulders.
Therewerefivepinkpaperrosestwistedintheveil,andelevenbrightgreenroseleaves.
Therewerenewwhitecottonglovesuponherhands,andasshestoodstaringabouthershetwistedthemtogetherfeverishly.
Itwasalmosttoomuchforher—youcouldseethepainoftoogreatemotioninherface,andallthetremorofherform.
Shewassoyoung—notquitesixteen—andsmallforherage,amerechild;andshehadjustbeenmarried—andmarriedtoJurgis,*(*PronouncedYoorghis)ofallmen,toJurgisRudkus,hewiththewhiteflowerinthebuttonholeofhisnewblacksuit,hewiththemightyshouldersandthegianthands.
Onawasblue-eyedandfair,whileJurgishadgreatblackeyeswithbeetlingbrows,andthickblackhairthatcurledinwavesabouthisears—inshort,theywereoneofthoseincongruousandimpossiblemarriedcoupleswithwhichMotherNaturesooftenwillstoconfoundallprophets,beforeandafter.
Jurgiscouldtakeupatwo-hundred-and-fifty-poundquarterofbeefandcarryitintoacarwithoutastagger,orevenathought;andnowhestoodinafarcorner,frightenedasahuntedanimal,andobligedtomoistenhislipswithhistongueeachtimebeforehecouldanswerthecongratulationsofhisfriends.
Graduallytherewaseffectedaseparationbetweenthespectatorsandtheguests—aseparationatleastsufficientlycompleteforworkingpurposes.
Therewasnotimeduringthefestivitieswhichensuedwhentherewerenotgroupsofonlookersinthedoorwaysandthecorners;andifanyoneoftheseonlookerscamesufficientlyclose,orlookedsufficientlyhungry,achairwasofferedhim,andhewasinvitedtothefeast.
Itwasoneofthelawsoftheveselijathatnoonegoeshungry;and,whilearulemadeintheforestsofLithuaniaishardtoapplyinthestockyardsdistrictofChicago,withitsquarterofamillioninhabitants,stilltheydidtheirbest,andthechildrenwhoraninfromthestreet,andeventhedogs,wentoutagainhappier.
Acharminginformalitywasoneofthecharacteristicsofthiscelebration.
Themenworetheirhats,or,iftheywished,theytookthemoff,andtheircoatswiththem;theyatewhenandwheretheypleased,andmovedasoftenastheypleased.
Thereweretobespeechesandsinging,butnoonehadtolistenwhodidnotcareto;ifhewished,meantime,tospeakorsinghimself,hewasperfectlyfree.
Theresultingmedleyofsounddistractednoone,savepossiblyalonethebabies,ofwhichtherewerepresentanumberequaltothetotalpossessedbyalltheguestsinvited.
Therewasnootherplaceforthebabiestobe,andsopartofthepreparationsfortheeveningconsistedofacollectionofcribsandcarriagesinonecorner.
Inthesethebabiesslept,threeorfourtogether,orwakenedtogether,asthecasemightbe.
Thosewhowerestillolder,andcouldreachthetables,marchedaboutmunchingcontentedlyatmeatbonesandbolognasausages.
Theroomisaboutthirtyfeetsquare,withwhitewashedwalls,baresaveforacalendar.
apictureofaracehorse,andafamilytreeinagildedframe.
Totherightthereisadoorfromthesaloon,withafewloafersinthedoorway,andinthecornerbeyonditabar,withapresidinggeniuscladinsoiledwhite,withwaxedblackmustachesandacarefullyoiledcurlplasteredagainstonesideofhisforehead.
Intheoppositecorneraretwotables,fillingathirdoftheroomandladenwithdishesandcoldviands,whichafewofthehungrierguestsarealreadymunching.
Atthehead,wheresitsthebride,isasnow-whitecake,withanEiffeltowerofconstructeddecoration,withsugarrosesandtwoangelsuponit,andageneroussprinklingofpinkandgreenandyellowcandies.
Beyondopensadoorintothekitchen,wherethereisaglimpsetobehadofarangewithmuchsteamascendingfromit,andmanywomen,oldandyoung,rushinghitherandthither.
Inthecornertotheleftarethethreemusicians,uponalittleplatform,toilingheroicallytomakesomeimpressionuponthehubbub;alsothebabies,similarlyoccupied,andanopenwindowwhencethepopulaceimbibesthesightsandsoundsandodors.
Suddenlysomeofthesteambeginstoadvance,and,peeringthroughit,youdiscernAuntElizabeth,Ona’sstepmother—TetaElzbieta,astheycallher—bearingaloftagreatplatterofstewedduck.
BehindherisKotrina,makingherwaycautiously,staggeringbeneathasimilarburden;andhalfaminutelaterthereappearsoldGrandmotherMajauszkiene,withabigyellowbowlofsmokingpotatoes,nearlyasbigasherself.
So,bitbybit,thefeasttakesform—thereisahamandadishofsauerkraut,boiledrice,macaroni,bolognasausages,greatpilesofpennybuns,bowlsofmilk,andfoamingpitchersofbeer.
Thereisalso,notsixfeetfromyourback,thebar,whereyoumayorderallyoupleaseanddonothavetopayforit.“Eiksz!Graicziau!”
screamsMarijaBerczynskas,andfallstoworkherself—forthereismoreuponthestoveinsidethatwillbespoiledifitbenoteaten.
So,withlaughterandshoutsandendlessbadinageandmerriment,thegueststaketheirplaces.
Theyoungmen,whoforthemostparthavebeenhuddlednearthedoor,summontheirresolutionandadvance;andtheshrinkingJurgisispokedandscoldedbytheoldfolksuntilheconsentstoseathimselfattherighthandofthebride.
Thetwobridesmaids,whoseinsigniaofofficearepaperwreaths,comenext,andafterthemtherestoftheguests,oldandyoung,boysandgirls.
Thespiritoftheoccasiontakesholdofthestatelybartender,whocondescendstoaplateofstewedduck;eventhefatpoliceman—whosedutyitwillbe,laterintheevening,tobreakupthefights—drawsupachairtothefootofthetable.
Andthechildrenshoutandthebabiesyell,andeveryonelaughsandsingsandchatters—whileaboveallthedeafeningclamorCousinMarijashoutsorderstothemusicians.
Themusicians—howshallonebegintodescribethem?
Allthistimetheyhavebeenthere,playinginamadfrenzy—allofthisscenemustberead,orsaid,orsung,tomusic.
Itisthemusicwhichmakesitwhatitis;itisthemusicwhichchangestheplacefromtherearroomofasalooninbackoftheyardstoafairyplace,awonderland,alittlecomerofthehighmansionsofthesky.
Thelittlepersonwholeadsthistrioisaninspiredman.
Hisfiddleisoutoftune,andthereisnorosinonhisbow,butstillheisaninspiredman—thehandsofthemuseshavebeenlaiduponhim.
Heplayslikeonepossessedbyademon,byawholehordeofdemons.
Youcanfeelthemintheairroundabouthim,caperingfrenetically;withtheirinvisiblefeettheysetthepace,andthehairoftheleaderoftheorchestrarisesonend,andhiseyeballsstartfromtheirsockets,ashetoilstokeepupwiththem.
TamosziusKuszleikaishisname,andhehastaughthimselftoplaytheviolinbypracticingallnight,afterworkingalldayonthe“killingbeds.”
Heisinhisshirtsleeves,withavestfiguredwithfadedgoldhorseshoes,andapink-stripedshirt,suggestiveofpeppermintcandy.
Apairofmilitarytrousers,lightbluewithayellowstripe,servetogivethatsuggestionofauthoritypropertotheleaderofaband.
Heisonlyaboutfivefeethigh,butevensothesetrousersareabouteightinchesshortoftheground.
Youwonderwherehecanhavegottenthemorratheryouwouldwonder,iftheexcitementofbeinginhispresenceleftyoutimetothinkofsuchthings.
Forheisaninspiredman.Everyinchofhimisinspired—youmightalmostsayinspiredseparately.
Hestampswithhisfeet,hetosseshishead,heswaysandswingstoandfro;hehasawizened-uplittleface,irresistiblycomical;and,whenheexecutesaturnoraflourish,hisbrowsknitandhislipsworkandhiseyelidswink—theveryendsofhisnecktiebristleout.
Andeverynowandthenheturnsuponhiscompanions,nodding,signaling,beckoningfrantically—witheveryinchofhimappealing,imploring,inbehalfofthemusesandtheircall.
FortheyarehardlyworthyofTamoszius,theothertwomembersoftheorchestra.
ThesecondviolinisaSlovak,atall,gauntmanwithblack-rimmedspectaclesandthemuteandpatientlookofanoverdrivenmule;herespondstothewhipbutfeebly,andthenalwaysfallsbackintohisoldrut.
Thethirdmanisveryfat,witharound,red,sentimentalnose,andheplayswithhiseyesturneduptotheskyandalookofinfiniteyearning.
Heisplayingabasspartuponhiscello,andsotheexcitementisnothingtohim;nomatterwhathappensinthetreble,itishistasktosawoutonelong-drawnandlugubriousnoteafteranother,fromfouro’clockintheafternoonuntilnearlythesamehournextmorning,forhisthirdofthetotalincomeofonedollarperhour.
Beforethefeasthasbeenfiveminutesunderway,TamosziusKuszleikahasriseninhisexcitement;aminuteortwomoreandyouseethatheisbeginningtoedgeovertowardthetables.
Hisnostrilsaredilatedandhisbreathcomesfast—hisdemonsaredrivinghim.
Henodsandshakeshisheadathiscompanions,jerkingatthemwithhisviolin,untilatlastthelongformofthesecondviolinistalsorisesup.
Intheendallthreeofthembeginadvancing,stepbystep,uponthebanqueters,Valentinavyczia,hecellist,bumpingalongwithhisinstrumentbetweennotes.
Finallyallthreearegatheredatthefootofthetables,andthereTamosziusmountsuponastool.
Nowheisinhisglory,dominatingthescene.
Someofthepeopleareeating,somearelaughingandtalking—butyouwillmakeagreatmistakeifyouthinkthereisoneofthemwhodoesnothearhim.
Hisnotesarenevertrue,andhisfiddlebuzzesonthelowonesandsqueaksandscratchesonthehigh;butthesethingstheyheednomorethantheyheedthedirtandnoiseandsqualoraboutthem—itisoutofthismaterialthattheyhavetobuildtheirlives,withitthattheyhavetouttertheirsouls.
Andthisistheirutterance;merryandboisterous,ormournfulandwailing,orpassionateandrebellious,thismusicistheirmusic,musicofhome.
Itstretchesoutitsarmstothem,theyhaveonlytogivethemselvesup.
Chicagoanditssaloonsanditsslumsfadeaway—therearegreenmeadowsandsunlitrivers,mightyforestsandsnowcladhills.
Theybeholdhomelandscapesandchildhoodscenesreturning;oldlovesandfriendshipsbegintowaken,oldjoysandgriefstolaughandweep.
Somefallbackandclosetheireyes,somebeatuponthetable.
Nowandthenoneleapsupwithacryandcallsforthissongorthat;andthenthefireleapsbrighterinTamoszius’eyes,andheflingsuphisfiddleandshoutstohiscompanions,andawaytheygoinmadcareer.
Thecompanytakesupthechoruses,andmenandwomencryoutlikeallpossessed;someleaptotheirfeetandstampuponthefloor,liftingtheirglassesandpledgingeachother.
Beforelongitoccurstosomeonetodemandanoldweddingsong,whichcelebratesthebeautyofthebrideandthejoysoflove.
IntheexcitementofthismasterpieceTamosziusKuszleikabeginstoedgeinbetweenthetables,makinghiswaytowardthehead,wheresitsthebride.
Thereisnotafootofspacebetweenthechairsoftheguests,andTamosziusissoshortthathepokesthemwithhisbowwheneverhereachesoverforthelownotes;butstillhepressesin,andinsistsrelentlesslythathiscompanionsmustfollow.
Duringtheirprogress,needlesstosay,thesoundsofthecelloareprettywellextinguished;butatlastthethreeareatthehead,andTamosziustakeshisstationattherighthandofthebrideandbeginstopourouthissoulinmeltingstrains.
LittleOnaistooexcitedtoeat.Onceinawhileshetastesalittlesomething,whenCousinMarijapinchesherelbowandremindsher;but,forthemostpart,shesitsgazingwiththesamefearfuleyesofwonder.
TetaElzbietaisallinaflutter,likeahummingbird;hersisters,too,keeprunningupbehindher,whispering,breathless.
ButOnaseemsscarcelytohearthem—themusickeepscalling,andthefar-offlookcomesback,andshesitswithherhandspressedtogetheroverherheart.
Thenthetearsbegintocomeintohereyes;andassheisashamedtowipethemaway,andashamedtoletthemrundownhercheeks,sheturnsandshakesherheadalittle,andthenflushesredwhensheseesthatJurgisiswatchingher.
WhenintheendTamosziusKuszleikahasreachedherside,andiswavinghismagicwandaboveher,Ona’scheeksarescarlet,andshelooksasifshewouldhavetogetupandrunaway.
Inthiscrisis,however,sheissavedbyMarijaBerczynskas,whomthemusessuddenlyvisit.
Marijaisfondofasong,asongoflovers’parting;shewishestohearit,and,asthemusiciansdonotknowit,shehasrisen,andisproceedingtoteachthem.Marijaisshort,butpowerfulinbuild.
Sheworksinacanningfactory,andalldaylongshehandlescansofbeefthatweighfourteenpounds.
ShehasabroadSlavicface,withprominentredcheeks.
Whensheopenshermouth,itistragical,butyoucannothelpthinkingofahorse.
Shewearsablueflannelshirt-waist,whichisnowrolledupatthesleeves,disclosingherbrawnyarms;shehasacarvingforkinherhand,withwhichshepoundsonthetabletomarkthetime.
Assheroarshersong,inavoiceofwhichitisenoughtosaythatitleavesnoportionoftheroomvacant,thethreemusiciansfollowher,laboriouslyandnotebynote,butaveragingonenotebehind;thustheytoilthroughstanzaafterstanzaofalovesickswain’slamentation:—
“Sudiev’kvietkeli,tubrangiausis;Sudiev’irlaime,manbiednam,Matau—paskyreteipAukszcziausis,Jogvargtantsvietoreikvienam!”
Whenthesongisover,itistimeforthespeech,andoldDedeAntanasrisestohisfeet.
GrandfatherAnthony,Jurgis’father,isnotmorethansixtyyearsofage,butyouwouldthinkthathewaseighty.
HehasbeenonlysixmonthsinAmerica,andthechangehasnotdonehimgood.
Inhismanhoodheworkedinacottonmill,butthenacoughingfelluponhim,andhehadtoleave;outinthecountrythetroubledisappeared,buthehasbeenworkinginthepickleroomsatDurham’s,andthebreathingofthecold,dampairalldayhasbroughtitback.
Nowasherisesheisseizedwithacoughingfit,andholdshimselfbyhischairandturnsawayhiswanandbatteredfaceuntilitpasses.
Generallyitisthecustomforthespeechataveselijatobetakenoutofoneofthebooksandlearnedbyheart;butinhisyouthfuldaysDedeAntanasusedtobeascholar,andreallymakeupallthelovelettersofhisfriends.
Nowitisunderstoodthathehascomposedanoriginalspeechofcongratulationandbenediction,andthisisoneoftheeventsoftheday.
Eventheboys,whoarerompingabouttheroom,drawnearandlisten,andsomeofthewomensobandwipetheirapronsintheireyes.
Itisverysolemn,forAntanasRudkushasbecomepossessedoftheideathathehasnotmuchlongertostaywithhischildren.
Hisspeechleavesthemallsotearfulthatoneoftheguests,JokubasSzedvilas,whokeepsadelicatessenstoreonHalstedStreet,andisfatandhearty,ismovedtoriseandsaythatthingsmaynotbeasbadasthat,andthentogoonandmakealittlespeechofhisown,inwhichheshowerscongratulationsandpropheciesofhappinessuponthebrideandgroom,proceedingtoparticularswhichgreatlydelighttheyoungmen,butwhichcauseOnatoblushmorefuriouslythanever.
Jokubaspossesseswhathiswifecomplacentlydescribesas“poetiszkavaidintuve”—apoeticalimagination.
Nowagoodmanyoftheguestshavefinished,and,sincethereisnopretenseofceremony,thebanquetbeginstobreakup.
Someofthemengatheraboutthebar;somewanderabout,laughingandsinging;hereandtherewillbealittlegroup,chantingmerrily,andinsublimeindifferencetotheothersandtotheorchestraaswell.
Everybodyismoreorlessrestless—onewouldguessthatsomethingisontheirminds.Andsoitproves.
Thelasttardydinersarescarcelygiventimetofinish,beforethetablesandthedebrisareshovedintothecorner,andthechairsandthebabiespiledoutoftheway,andtherealcelebrationoftheeveningbegins.
ThenTamosziusKuszleika,afterreplenishinghimselfwithapotofbeer,returnstohisplatform,and,standingup,reviewsthescene;hetapsauthoritativelyuponthesideofhisviolin,thentucksitcarefullyunderhischin,thenwaveshisbowinanelaborateflourish,andfinallysmitesthesoundingstringsandcloseshiseyes,andfloatsawayinspirituponthewingsofadreamywaltz.
Hiscompanionfollows,butwithhiseyesopen,watchingwherehetreads,sotospeak;andfinallyValentinavyczia,afterwaitingforalittleandbeatingwithhisfoottogetthetime,castsuphiseyestotheceilingandbeginstosaw—”Broom!broom!broom!”
Thecompanypairsoffquickly,andthewholeroomissooninmotion.
Apparentlynobodyknowshowtowaltz,butthatisnothingofanyconsequence—thereismusic,andtheydance,eachashepleases,justasbeforetheysang.
Mostofthempreferthe“two-step,”especiallytheyoung,withwhomitisthefashion.
Theolderpeoplehavedancesfromhome,strangeandcomplicatedstepswhichtheyexecutewithgravesolemnity.
Somedonotdanceanythingatall,butsimplyholdeachother’shandsandallowtheundisciplinedjoyofmotiontoexpressitselfwiththeirfeet.
AmongtheseareJokubasSzedvilasandhiswife,Lucija,whotogetherkeepthedelicatessenstore,andconsumenearlyasmuchastheysell;theyaretoofattodance,buttheystandinthemiddleofthefloor,holdingeachotherfastintheirarms,rockingslowlyfromsidetosideandgrinningseraphically,apictureoftoothlessandperspiringecstasy.
Oftheseolderpeoplemanywearclothingreminiscentinsomedetailofhome—anembroideredwaistcoatorstomacher,oragailycoloredhandkerchief,oracoatwithlargecuffsandfancybuttons.
Allthesethingsarecarefullyavoidedbytheyoung,mostofwhomhavelearnedtospeakEnglishandtoaffectthelateststyleofclothing.
Thegirlswearready-madedressesorshirtwaists,andsomeofthemlookquitepretty.
SomeoftheyoungmenyouwouldtaketobeAmericans,ofthetypeofclerks,butforthefactthattheyweartheirhatsintheroom.
Eachoftheseyoungercouplesaffectsastyleofitsownindancing.
Someholdeachothertightly,someatacautiousdistance.
Someholdtheirhandsoutstiffly,somedropthemlooselyattheirsides.
Somedancespringily,someglidesoftly,somemovewithgravedignity.
Thereareboisterouscouples,whotearwildlyabouttheroom,knockingeveryoneoutoftheirway.
Therearenervouscouples,whomthesefrighten,andwhocry,“Nusfok!Kasyra?”atthemastheypass.
Eachcoupleispairedfortheevening—youwillneverseethemchangeabout.
ThereisAlenaJasaityte,forinstance,whohasdancedunendinghourswithJuozasRaczius,towhomsheisengaged.
Alenaisthebeautyoftheevening,andshewouldbereallybeautifulifshewerenotsoproud.
Shewearsawhiteshirtwaist,whichrepresents,perhaps,halfaweek’slaborpaintingcans.
Sheholdsherskirtwithherhandasshedances,withstatelyprecision,afterthemannerofthegrandesdames.
JuozasisdrivingoneofDurham’swagons,andismakingbigwages.
Heaffectsa“tough”aspect,wearinghishatononesideandkeepingacigaretteinhismouthalltheevening.
ThenthereisJadvygaMarcinkus,whoisalsobeautiful,buthumble.
Jadvygalikewisepaintscans,butthenshehasaninvalidmotherandthreelittlesisterstosupportbyit,andsoshedoesnotspendherwagesforshirtwaists.
Jadvygaissmallanddelicate,withjet-blackeyesandhair,thelattertwistedintoalittleknotandtiedonthetopofherhead.
Shewearsanoldwhitedresswhichshehasmadeherselfandworntopartiesforthepastfiveyears;itishigh-waisted—almostunderherarms,andnotverybecoming,—butthatdoesnottroubleJadvyga,whoisdancingwithherMikolas.
Sheissmall,whileheisbigandpowerful;shenestlesinhisarmsasifshewouldhideherselffromview,andleansherheaduponhisshoulder.
Heinturnhasclaspedhisarmstightlyaroundher,asifhewouldcarryheraway;andsoshedances,andwilldancetheentireevening,andwoulddanceforever,inecstasyofbliss.
Youwouldsmile,perhaps,toseethem—butyouwouldnotsmileifyouknewallthestory.
Thisisthefifthyear,now,thatJadvygahasbeenengagedtoMikolas,andherheartissick.
Theywouldhavebeenmarriedinthebeginning,onlyMikolashasafatherwhoisdrunkallday,andheistheonlyothermaninalargefamily.
Evensotheymighthavemanagedit(forMikolasisaskilledman)butforcruelaccidentswhichhavealmosttakentheheartoutofthem.
Heisabeef-boner,andthatisadangeroustrade,especiallywhenyouareonpieceworkandtryingtoearnabride.
Yourhandsareslippery,andyourknifeisslippery,andyouaretoilinglikemad,whensomebodyhappenstospeaktoyou,oryoustrikeabone.
Thenyourhandslipsupontheblade,andthereisafearfulgash.
Andthatwouldnotbesobad,onlyforthedeadlycontagion.
Thecutmayheal,butyounevercantell.
Twicenow;withinthelastthreeyears,Mikolashasbeenlyingathomewithbloodpoisoning—onceforthreemonthsandoncefornearlyseven.
Thelasttime,too,helosthisjob,andthatmeantsixweeksmoreofstandingatthedoorsofthepackinghouses,atsixo’clockonbitterwintermornings,withafootofsnowonthegroundandmoreintheair.
Therearelearnedpeoplewhocantellyououtofthestatisticsthatbeef-bonersmakefortycentsanhour,but,perhaps,thesepeoplehaveneverlookedintoabeef-boner’shands.
WhenTamosziusandhiscompanionsstopforarest,asperforcetheymust,nowandthen,thedancershaltwheretheyareandwaitpatiently.
Theyneverseemtotire;andthereisnoplaceforthemtositdowniftheydid.
Itisonlyforaminute,anyway,fortheleaderstartsupagain,inspiteofalltheprotestsoftheothertwo.
Thistimeitisanothersortofadance,aLithuaniandance.
Thosewhopreferto,goonwiththetwo-step,butthemajoritygothroughanintricateseriesofmotions,resemblingmorefancyskatingthanadance.
Theclimaxofitisafuriousprestissimo,atwhichthecouplesseizehandsandbeginamadwhirling.
Thisisquiteirresistible,andeveryoneintheroomjoinsin,untiltheplacebecomesamazeofflyingskirtsandbodiesquitedazzlingtolookupon.
ButthesightofsightsatthismomentisTamosziusKuszleika.
Theoldfiddlesqueaksandshrieksinprotest,butTamosziushasnomercy.
Thesweatstartsoutonhisforehead,andhebendsoverlikeacyclistonthelastlapofarace.
Hisbodyshakesandthrobslikearunawaysteamengine,andtheearcannotfollowtheflyingshowersofnotes—thereisapalebluemistwhereyoulooktoseehisbowingarm.
Withamostwonderfulrushhecomestotheendofthetune,andflingsuphishandsandstaggersbackexhausted;andwithafinalshoutofdelightthedancersflyapart,reelinghereandthere,bringingupagainstthewallsoftheroom.
Afterthisthereisbeerforeveryone,themusiciansincluded,andtherevelerstakealongbreathandprepareforthegreateventoftheevening,whichistheacziavimas.
Theacziavimasisaceremonywhich,oncebegun,willcontinueforthreeorfourhours,anditinvolvesoneuninterrupteddance.
Theguestsformagreatring,lockinghands,and,whenthemusicstartsup,begintomovearoundinacircle.
Inthecenterstandsthebride,and,onebyone,themenstepintotheenclosureanddancewithher.
Eachdancesforseveralminutes—aslongashepleases;itisaverymerryproceeding,withlaughterandsinging,andwhentheguesthasfinished,hefindshimselffacetofacewithTetaElzbieta,whoholdsthehat.
Intoithedropsasumofmoney—adollar,orperhapsfivedollars,accordingtohispower,andhisestimateofthevalueoftheprivilege.
Theguestsareexpectedtopayforthisentertainment;iftheybeproperguests,theywillseethatthereisaneatsumleftoverforthebrideandbridegroomtostartlifeupon.
Mostfearfultheyaretocontemplate,theexpensesofthisentertainment.
Theywillcertainlybeovertwohundreddollarsandmaybethreehundred;andthreehundreddollarsismorethantheyear’sincomeofmanyapersoninthisroom.
Thereareable-bodiedmenherewhoworkfromearlymorninguntillateatnight,inice-coldcellarswithaquarterofaninchofwateronthefloor—menwhoforsixorsevenmonthsintheyearneverseethesunlightfromSundayafternoontillthenextSundaymorning—andwhocannotearnthreehundreddollarsinayear.
Therearelittlechildrenhere,scarceintheirteens,whocanhardlyseethetopoftheworkbenches—whoseparentshaveliedtogetthemtheirplaces—andwhodonotmakethehalfofthreehundreddollarsayear,andperhapsnoteventhethirdofit.
Andthentospendsuchasum,allinasingledayofyourlife,ataweddingfeast!
(Forobviouslyitisthesamething,whetheryouspenditatonceforyourownwedding,orinalongtime,attheweddingsofallyourfriends.)
Itisveryimprudent,itistragic—but,ah,itissobeautiful!
Bitbybitthesepoorpeoplehavegivenupeverythingelse;buttothistheyclingwithallthepoweroftheirsouls—theycannotgiveuptheveselija!
Todothatwouldmean,notmerelytobedefeated,buttoacknowledgedefeat—andthedifferencebetweenthesetwothingsiswhatkeepstheworldgoing.
Theveselijahascomedowntothemfromafar-offtime;andthemeaningofitwasthatonemightdwellwithinthecaveandgazeuponshadows,providedonlythatonceinhislifetimehecouldbreakhischains,andfeelhiswings,andbeholdthesun;providedthatonceinhislifetimehemighttestifytothefactthatlife,withallitscaresanditsterrors,isnosuchgreatthingafterall,butmerelyabubbleuponthesurfaceofariver,athingthatonemaytossaboutandplaywithasajugglertosseshisgoldenballs,athingthatonemayquaff,likeagobletofrareredwine.
Thushavingknownhimselfforthemasterofthings,amancouldgobacktohistoilandliveuponthememoryallhisdays.
Endlesslythedancersswungroundandround—whentheyweredizzytheyswungtheotherway.
Hourafterhourthishadcontinued—thedarknesshadfallenandtheroomwasdimfromthelightoftwosmokyoillamps.
Themusicianshadspentalltheirfinefrenzybynow,andplayedonlyonetune,wearily,ploddingly.
Thereweretwentybarsorsoofit,andwhentheycametotheendtheybeganagain.
Onceeverytenminutesorsotheywouldfailtobeginagain,butinsteadwouldsinkbackexhausted;acircumstancewhichinvariablybroughtonapainfulandterrifyingscene,thatmadethefatpolicemanstiruneasilyinhissleepingplacebehindthedoor.
ItwasallMarijaBerczynskas.Marijawasoneofthosehungrysoulswhoclingwithdesperationtotheskirtsoftheretreatingmuse.
Alldaylongshehadbeeninastateofwonderfulexaltation;andnowitwasleaving—andshewouldnotletitgo.
HersoulcriedoutinthewordsofFaust,“Stay,thouartfair!”
Whetheritwasbybeer,orbyshouting,orbymusic,orbymotion,shemeantthatitshouldnotgo.
Andshewouldgobacktothechaseofit—andnosoonerbefairlystartedthanherchariotwouldbethrownoffthetrack,sotospeak,bythestupidityofthosethriceaccursedmusicians.
Eachtime,Marijawouldemitahowlandflyatthem,shakingherfistsintheirfaces,stampinguponthefloor,purpleandincoherentwithrage.
InvainthefrightenedTamosziuswouldattempttospeak,topleadthelimitationsoftheflesh;invainwouldthepuffingandbreathlessponasJokubasinsist,invainwouldTetaElzbietaimplore.“Szalin!”Marijawouldscream.“Palauk!iszkelio!
Whatareyoupaidfor,childrenofhell?”
Andso,insheerterror,theorchestrawouldstrikeupagain,andMarijawouldreturntoherplaceandtakeuphertask.
Sheborealltheburdenofthefestivitiesnow.
Onawaskeptupbyherexcitement,butallofthewomenandmostofthemenweretired—thesoulofMarijawasaloneunconquered.
Shedroveonthedancers—whathadoncebeentheringhadnowtheshapeofapear,withMarijaatthestem,pullingonewayandpushingtheother.
shouting,stamping,singing,averyvolcanoofenergy.
Nowandthensomeonecominginoroutwouldleavethedooropen,andthenightairwaschill;Marijaasshepassedwouldstretchoutherfootandkickthedoorknob,andslamwouldgothedoor!
OncethisprocedurewasthecauseofacalamityofwhichSebastijonasSzedvilaswasthehaplessvictim.
LittleSebastijonas,agedthree,hadbeenwanderingaboutoblivioustoallthings,holdingturnedupoverhismouthabottleofliquidknownas“pop,”pink-colored,ice-cold,anddelicious.
Passingthroughthedoorwaythedoorsmotehimfull,andtheshriekwhichfollowedbroughtthedancingtoahalt.
Marija,whothreatenedhorridmurderahundredtimesaday,andwouldweepovertheinjuryofafly,seizedlittleSebastijonasinherarmsandbidfairtosmotherhimwithkisses.
Therewasalongrestfortheorchestra,andplentyofrefreshments,whileMarijawasmakingherpeacewithhervictim,seatinghimuponthebar,andstandingbesidehimandholdingtohislipsafoamingschoonerofbeer.
InthemeantimetherewasgoingoninanothercorneroftheroomananxiousconferencebetweenTetaElzbietaandDedeAntanas,andafewofthemoreintimatefriendsofthefamily.Atroublewascomeuponthem.
Theveselijaisacompact,acompactnotexpressed,butthereforeonlythemorebindinguponall.
Everyone’ssharewasdifferent—andyeteveryoneknewperfectlywellwhathissharewas,andstrovetogivealittlemore.
Now,however,sincetheyhadcometothenewcountry,allthiswaschanging;itseemedasiftheremustbesomesubtlepoisonintheairthatonebreathedhere—itwasaffectingalltheyoungmenatonce.
Theywouldcomeincrowdsandfillthemselveswithafinedinner,andthensneakoff.
Onewouldthrowanother’shatoutofthewindow,andbothwouldgoouttogetit,andneithercouldbeseenagain.
Ornowandthenhalfadozenofthemwouldgettogetherandmarchoutopenly,staringatyou,andmakingfunofyoutoyourface.
Stillothers,worseyet,wouldcrowdaboutthebar,andattheexpenseofthehostdrinkthemselvessodden,payingnottheleastattentiontoanyone,andleavingittobethoughtthateithertheyhaddancedwiththebridealready,ormeanttolateron.
Allthesethingsweregoingonnow,andthefamilywashelplesswithdismay.
Solongtheyhadtoiled,andsuchanoutlaytheyhadmade!
Onastoodby,hereyeswidewithterror.
Thosefrightfulbills—howtheyhadhauntedher,eachitemgnawingathersoulalldayandspoilingherrestatnight.
Howoftenshehadnamedthemoveronebyoneandfiguredonthemasshewenttowork—fifteendollarsforthehall,twenty-twodollarsandaquarterfortheducks,twelvedollarsforthemusicians,fivedollarsatthechurch,andablessingoftheVirginbesides—andsoonwithoutanend!
WorstofallwasthefrightfulbillthatwasstilltocomefromGraiczunasforthebeerandliquorthatmightbeconsumed.
Onecouldnevergetinadvancemorethanaguessastothisfromasaloonkeeper—andthen,whenthetimecamehealwayscametoyouscratchinghisheadandsayingthathehadguessedtoolow,butthathehaddonehisbest—yourguestshadgottensoverydrunk.
Byhimyouweresuretobecheatedunmercifully,andthateventhoughyouthoughtyourselfthedearestofthehundredsoffriendshehad.
Hewouldbegintoserveyourguestsoutofakegthatwashalffull,andfinishwithonethatwashalfempty,andthenyouwouldbechargedfortwokegsofbeer.
Hewouldagreetoserveacertainqualityatacertainprice,andwhenthetimecameyouandyourfriendswouldbedrinkingsomehorriblepoisonthatcouldnotbedescribed.
Youmightcomplain,butyouwouldgetnothingforyourpainsbutaruinedevening;while,asforgoingtolawaboutit,youmightaswellgotoheavenatonce.
Thesaloonkeeperstoodinwithallthebigpoliticsmeninthedistrict;andwhenyouhadoncefoundoutwhatitmeanttogetintotroublewithsuchpeople,youwouldknowenoughtopaywhatyouweretoldtopayandshutup.
Whatmadeallthisthemorepainfulwasthatitwassohardonthefewthathadreallydonetheirbest.
TherewaspooroldponasJokubas,forinstance—hehadalreadygivenfivedollars,anddidnoteveryoneknowthatJokubasSzedvilashadjustmortgagedhisdelicatessenstorefortwohundreddollarstomeetseveralmonths’overduerent?
AndthentherewaswitheredoldponiAniele—whowasawidow,andhadthreechildren,andtherheumatismbesides,anddidwashingforthetradespeopleonHalstedStreetatpricesitwouldbreakyourhearttohearnamed.
Anielehadgiventheentireprofitofherchickensforseveralmonths.
Eightofthemsheowned,andshekepttheminalittleplacefencedaroundonherbackstairs.
AlldaylongthechildrenofAnielewererakinginthedumpforfoodforthesechickens;andsometimes,whenthecompetitiontherewastoofierce,youmightseethemonHalstedStreetwalkingclosetothegutters,andwiththeirmotherfollowingtoseethatnoonerobbedthemoftheirfinds.
MoneycouldnottellthevalueofthesechickenstooldMrs.Jukniene—shevaluedthemdifferently,forshehadafeelingthatshewasgettingsomethingfornothingbymeansofthem—thatwiththemshewasgettingthebetterofaworldthatwasgettingthebetterofherinsomanyotherways.
Soshewatchedthemeveryhouroftheday,andhadlearnedtoseelikeanowlatnighttowatchthemthen.
Oneofthemhadbeenstolenlongago,andnotamonthpassedthatsomeonedidnottrytostealanother.
Asthefrustratingofthisoneattemptinvolvedascoreoffalsealarms,itwillbeunderstoodwhatatributeoldMrs.Juknienebrought,justbecauseTetaElzbietahadonceloanedhersomemoneyforafewdaysandsavedherfrombeingturnedoutofherhouse.
Moreandmorefriendsgatheredroundwhilethelamentationaboutthesethingswasgoingon.
Somedrewnearer,hopingtooverheartheconversation,whowerethemselvesamongtheguilty—andsurelythatwasathingtotrythepatienceofasaint.
FinallytherecameJurgis,urgedbysomeone,andthestorywasretoldtohim.
Jurgislistenedinsilence,withhisgreatblackeyebrowsknitted.
Nowandthentherewouldcomeagleamunderneaththemandhewouldglanceabouttheroom.
Perhapshewouldhavelikedtogoatsomeofthosefellowswithhisbigclenchedfists;butthen,doubtless,herealizedhowlittlegooditwoulddohim.
Nobillwouldbeanylessforturningoutanyoneatthistime;andthentherewouldbethescandal—andJurgiswantednothingexcepttogetawaywithOnaandtolettheworldgoitsownway.
Sohishandsrelaxedandhemerelysaidquietly:“Itisdone,andthereisnouseinweeping,TetaElzbieta.”
ThenhislookturnedtowardOna,whostoodclosetohisside,andhesawthewidelookofterrorinhereyes.
“Littleone,”hesaid,inalowvoice,“donotworry—itwillnotmattertous.Wewillpaythemallsomehow.Iwillworkharder.”ThatwasalwayswhatJurgissaid.
Onahadgrownusedtoitasthesolutionofalldifficulties—”Iwillworkharder!”
HehadsaidthatinLithuaniawhenoneofficialhadtakenhispassportfromhim,andanotherhadarrestedhimforbeingwithoutit,andthetwohaddividedathirdofhisbelongings.
HehadsaiditagaininNewYork,whenthesmooth-spokenagenthadtakentheminhandandmadethempaysuchhighprices,andalmostpreventedtheirleavinghisplace,inspiteoftheirpaying.
Nowhesaiditathirdtime,andOnadrewadeepbreath;itwassowonderfultohaveahusband,justlikeagrownwoman—andahusbandwhocouldsolveallproblems,andwhowassobigandstrong!
ThelastsoboflittleSebastijonashasbeenstifled,andtheorchestrahasoncemorebeenremindedofitsduty.
Theceremonybeginsagain—buttherearefewnowlefttodancewith,andsoverysoonthecollectionisoverandpromiscuousdancesoncemorebegin.
Itisnowaftermidnight,however,andthingsarenotastheywerebefore.
Thedancersaredullandheavy—mostofthemhavebeendrinkinghard,andhavelongagopassedthestageofexhilaration.
Theydanceinmonotonousmeasure,roundafterround,hourafterhour,witheyesfixeduponvacancy,asiftheywereonlyhalfconscious,inaconstantlygrowingstupor.
Themengraspthewomenverytightly,buttherewillbehalfanhourtogetherwhenneitherwillseetheother’sface.
Somecouplesdonotcaretodance,andhaveretiredtothecorners,wheretheysitwiththeirarmsenlaced.
Others,whohavebeendrinkingstillmore,wanderabouttheroom,bumpingintoeverything;someareingroupsoftwoorthree,singing,eachgroupitsownsong.
Astimegoesonthereisavarietyofdrunkenness,amongtheyoungermenespecially.
Somestaggeraboutineachother’sarms,whisperingmaudlinwords—othersstartquarrelsupontheslightestpretext,andcometoblowsandhavetobepulledapart.
Nowthefatpolicemanwakensdefinitely,andfeelsofhisclubtoseethatitisreadyforbusiness.
Hehastobeprompt—forthesetwo-o’clock-in-the-morningfights,iftheyoncegetoutofhand,arelikeaforestfire,andmaymeanthewholereservesatthestation.
Thethingtodoistocrackeveryfightingheadthatyousee,beforetherearesomanyfightingheadsthatyoucannotcrackanyofthem.
Thereisbutscantaccountkeptofcrackedheadsinbackoftheyards,formenwhohavetocracktheheadsofanimalsalldayseemtogetintothehabit,andtopracticeontheirfriends,andevenontheirfamilies,betweentimes.
Thismakesitacauseforcongratulationthatbymodernmethodsaveryfewmencandothepainfullynecessaryworkofhead-crackingforthewholeoftheculturedworld.
Thereisnofightthatnight—perhapsbecauseJurgis,too,iswatchful—evenmoresothanthepoliceman.
Jurgishasdrunkagreatdeal,asanyonenaturallywouldonanoccasionwhenitallhastobepaidfor,whetheritisdrunkornot;butheisaverysteadyman,anddoesnoteasilylosehistemper.
Onlyoncethereisatightshave—andthatisthefaultofMarijaBerczynskas.
Marijahasapparentlyconcludedabouttwohoursagothatifthealtarinthecorner,withthedeityinsoiledwhite,benotthetruehomeofthemuses,itis,atanyrate,thenearestsubstituteonearthattainable.
AndMarijaisjustfightingdrunkwhentherecometoherearsthefactsaboutthevillainswhohavenotpaidthatnight.
Marijagoesonthewarpathstraightoff,withouteventhepreliminaryofagoodcursing,andwhensheispulledoffitiswiththecoatcollarsoftwovillainsinherhands.
Fortunately,thepolicemanisdisposedtobereasonable,andsoitisnotMarijawhoisflungoutoftheplace.
Allthisinterruptsthemusicfornotmorethanaminuteortwo.
Thenagainthemercilesstunebegins—thetunethathasbeenplayedforthelasthalf-hourwithoutonesinglechange.
ItisanAmericantunethistime,onewhichtheyhavepickeduponthestreets;allseemtoknowthewordsofit—or,atanyrate,thefirstlineofit,whichtheyhumtothemselves,overandoveragainwithoutrest:“Inthegoodoldsummertime—inthegoodoldsummertime!
Inthegoodoldsummertime—inthegoodoldsummertime!”
Thereseemstobesomethinghypnoticaboutthis,withitsendlesslyrecurringdominant.
Ithasputastuporuponeveryonewhohearsit,aswellasuponthemenwhoareplayingit.
Noonecangetawayfromit,oreventhinkofgettingawayfromit;itisthreeo’clockinthemorning,andtheyhavedancedoutalltheirjoy,anddancedoutalltheirstrength,andallthestrengththatunlimiteddrinkcanlendthem—andstillthereisnooneamongthemwhohasthepowertothinkofstopping.
Promptlyatseveno’clockthissameMondaymorningtheywilleveryoneofthemhavetobeintheirplacesatDurham’sorBrown’sorJones’s,eachinhisworkingclothes.
Ifoneofthembeaminutelate,hewillbedockedanhour’spay,andifhebemanyminuteslate,hewillbeapttofindhisbrasscheckturnedtothewall,whichwillsendhimouttojointhehungrymobthatwaitseverymorningatthegatesofthepackinghouses,fromsixo’clockuntilnearlyhalf-pasteight.
Thereisnoexceptiontothisrule,notevenlittleOna—whohasaskedforaholidaythedayafterherweddingday,aholidaywithoutpay,andbeenrefused.
Whiletherearesomanywhoareanxioustoworkasyouwish,thereisnooccasionforincommodingyourselfwiththosewhomustworkotherwise.
LittleOnaisnearlyreadytofaint—andhalfinastuporherself,becauseoftheheavyscentintheroom.
Shehasnottakenadrop,buteveryoneelsethereisliterallyburningalcohol,asthelampsareburningoil;someofthemenwhoaresoundasleepintheirchairsoronthefloorarereekingofitsothatyoucannotgonearthem.
NowandthenJurgisgazesatherhungrily—hehaslongsinceforgottenhisshyness;butthenthecrowdisthere,andhestillwaitsandwatchesthedoor,whereacarriageissupposedtocome.
Itdoesnot,andfinallyhewillwaitnolonger,butcomesuptoOna,whoturnswhiteandtrembles.
Heputshershawlaboutherandthenhisowncoat.
Theyliveonlytwoblocksaway,andJurgisdoesnotcareaboutthecarriage.
Thereisalmostnofarewell—thedancersdonotnoticethem,andallofthechildrenandmanyoftheoldfolkshavefallenasleepofsheerexhaustion.
DedeAntanasisasleep,andsoaretheSzedvilases,husbandandwife,theformersnoringinoctaves.
ThereisTetaElzbieta,andMarija,sobbingloudly;andthenthereisonlythesilentnight,withthestarsbeginningtopalealittleintheeast.
Jurgis,withoutaword,liftsOnainhisarms,andstridesoutwithher,andshesinksherheaduponhisshoulderwithamoan.
Whenhereacheshomeheisnotsurewhethershehasfaintedorisasleep,butwhenhehastoholdherwithonehandwhileheunlocksthedoor,heseesthatshehasopenedhereyes.
“YoushallnotgotoBrown’stoday,littleone,”hewhispers,asheclimbsthestairs;andshecatcheshisarminterror,gasping:“No!No!Idarenot!Itwillruinus!”
Butheanswersheragain:“Leaveittome;leaveittome.Iwillearnmoremoney—Iwillworkharder.”
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