English
PoorJurgiswasnowanoutcastandatramponcemore.
Hewascrippled—hewasasliterallycrippledasanywildanimalwhichhaslostitsclaws,orbeentornoutofitsshell.
Hehadbeenshorn,atonecut,ofallthosemysteriousweaponswherebyhehadbeenabletomakealivingeasilyandtoescapetheconsequencesofhisactions.
Hecouldnolongercommandajobwhenhewantedit;hecouldnolongerstealwithimpunity—hemusttakehischanceswiththecommonherd.
Nayworse,hedarednotminglewiththeherd—hemusthidehimself,forhewasonemarkedoutfordestruction.
Hisoldcompanionswouldbetrayhim,forthesakeoftheinfluencetheywouldgainthereby;andhewouldbemadetosuffer,notmerelyfortheoffensehehadcommitted,butforotherswhichwouldbelaidathisdoor,justashadbeendoneforsomepoordevilontheoccasionofthatassaultuponthe“countrycustomer”byhimandDuane.
Andalsohelaboredunderanotherhandicapnow.
Hehadacquirednewstandardsofliving,whichwerenoteasilytobealtered.
Whenhehadbeenoutofworkbefore,hehadbeencontentifhecouldsleepinadoorwayorunderatruckoutoftherain,andifhecouldgetfifteencentsadayforsaloonlunches.
Butnowhedesiredallsortsofotherthings,andsufferedbecausehehadtodowithoutthem.
Hemusthaveadrinknowandthen,adrinkforitsownsake,andapartfromthefoodthatcamewithit.
Thecravingforitwasstrongenoughtomastereveryotherconsideration—hewouldhaveit,thoughitwerehislastnickelandhehadtostarvethebalanceofthedayinconsequence.
Jurgisbecameoncemoreabesiegeroffactorygates.
ButneversincehehadbeeninChicagohadhestoodlesschanceofgettingajobthanjustthen.
Foronething,therewastheeconomiccrisis,themillionortwoofmenwhohadbeenoutofworkinthespringandsummer,andwerenotyetallback,byanymeans.
Andthentherewasthestrike,withseventythousandmenandwomenalloverthecountryidleforacoupleofmonths—twentythousandinChicago,andmanyofthemnowseekingworkthroughoutthecity.
Itdidnotremedymattersthatafewdayslaterthestrikewasgivenupandabouthalfthestrikerswentbacktowork;foreveryonetakenon,therewasa“scab”whogaveupandfled.
Thetenorfifteenthousand“green”Negroes,foreigners,andcriminalswerenowbeingturnedloosetoshiftforthemselves.
EverywhereJurgiswenthekeptmeetingthem,andhewasinanagonyoffearlestsomeoneofthemshouldknowthathewas“wanted.”
HewouldhaveleftChicago,onlybythetimehehadrealizedhisdangerhewasalmostpenniless;anditwouldbebettertogotojailthantobecaughtoutinthecountryinthewintertime.
AttheendofabouttendaysJurgishadonlyafewpenniesleft;andhehadnotyetfoundajob—notevenaday’sworkatanything,notachancetocarryasatchel.
Onceagain,aswhenhehadcomeoutofthehospital,hewasboundhandandfoot,andfacingthegrislyphantomofstarvation.
Raw,nakedterrorpossessedhim,amaddeningpassionthatwouldneverleavehim,andthatworehimdownmorequicklythantheactualwantoffood.Hewasgoingtodieofhunger!
Thefiendreachedoutitsscalyarmsforhim—ittouchedhim,itsbreathcameintohisface;andhewouldcryoutfortheawfulnessofit,hewouldwakeupinthenight,shuddering,andbathedinperspiration,andstartupandflee.
Hewouldwalk,beggingforwork,untilhewasexhausted;hecouldnotremainstill—hewouldwanderon,gauntandhaggard,gazingabouthimwithrestlesseyes.
Everywherehewent,fromoneendofthevastcitytotheother,therewerehundredsofotherslikehim;everywherewasthesightofplentyandthemercilesshandofauthoritywavingthemaway.
Thereisonekindofprisonwherethemanisbehindbars,andeverythingthathedesiresisoutside;andthereisanotherkindwherethethingsarebehindthebars,andthemanisoutside.
Whenhewasdowntohislastquarter,Jurgislearnedthatbeforethebakeshopsclosedatnighttheysoldoutwhatwasleftathalfprice,andafterthathewouldgoandgettwoloavesofstalebreadforanickel,andbreakthemupandstuffhispocketswiththem,munchingabitfromtimetotime.
Hewouldnotspendapennysaveforthis;and,aftertwoorthreedaysmore,heevenbecamesparingofthebread,andwouldstopandpeerintotheashbarrelsashewalkedalongthestreets,andnowandthenrakeoutabitofsomething,shakeitfreefromdust,andcounthimselfjustsomanyminutesfurtherfromtheend.
Soforseveraldayshehadbeengoingabout,ravenousallthetime,andgrowingweakerandweaker,andthenonemorninghehadahideousexperience,thatalmostbrokehisheart.
Hewaspassingdownastreetlinedwithwarehouses,andabossofferedhimajob,andthen,afterhehadstartedtowork,turnedhimoffbecausehewasnotstrongenough.
Andhestoodbyandsawanothermanputintohisplace,andthenpickeduphiscoat,andwalkedoff,doingallthathecouldtokeepfrombreakingdownandcryinglikeababy.Hewaslost!Hewasdoomed!Therewasnohopeforhim!
Butthen,withasuddenrush,hisfeargaveplacetorage.Hefelltocursing.
Hewouldcomebackthereafterdark,andhewouldshowthatscoundrelwhetherhewasgoodforanythingornot!
Hewasstillmutteringthiswhensuddenly,atthecorner,hecameuponagreen-grocery,withatrayfullofcabbagesinfrontofit.
Jurgis,afteroneswiftglanceabouthim,stoopedandseizedthebiggestofthem,anddartedroundthecornerwithit.
Therewasahueandcry,andascoreofmenandboysstartedinchaseofhim;buthecametoanalley,andthentoanotherbranchingofffromitandleadinghimintoanotherstreet,wherehefellintoawalk,andslippedhiscabbageunderhiscoatandwentoffunsuspectedinthecrowd.
Whenhehadgottenasafedistanceawayhesatdownanddevouredhalfthecabbageraw,stowingthebalanceawayinhispocketstillthenextday.
JustaboutthistimeoneoftheChicagonewspapers,whichmademuchofthe“commonpeople,”openeda“free-soupkitchen”forthebenefitoftheunemployed.
Somepeoplesaidthattheydidthisforthesakeoftheadvertisingitgavethem,andsomeotherssaidthattheirmotivewasafearlestalltheirreadersshouldbestarvedoff;butwhateverthereason,thesoupwasthickandhot,andtherewasabowlforeveryman,allnightlong.
WhenJurgisheardofthis,fromafellow“hobo,”hevowedthathewouldhavehalfadozenbowlsbeforemorning;but,asitproved,hewasluckytogetone,fortherewasalineofmentwoblockslongbeforethestand,andtherewasjustaslongalinewhentheplacewasfinallyclosedup.
ThisdepotwaswithinthedangerlineforJurgis—inthe“Levee”district,wherehewasknown;buthewentthere,allthesame,forhewasdesperate,andbeginningtothinkofeventheBridewellasaplaceofrefuge.
Sofartheweatherhadbeenfair,andhehadsleptouteverynightinavacantlot;butnowtherefellsuddenlyashadowoftheadvancingwinter,achillwindfromthenorthandadrivingstormofrain.
ThatdayJurgisboughttwodrinksforthesakeoftheshelter,andatnighthespenthislasttwopenniesina“stale-beerdive.”
ThiswasaplacekeptbyaNegro,whowentoutanddrewofftheolddregsofbeerthatlayinbarrelssetoutsideofthesaloons;andafterhehaddoctoreditwithchemicalstomakeit“fizz,”hesolditfortwocentsacan,thepurchaseofacanincludingtheprivilegeofsleepingthenightthroughuponthefloor,withamassofdegradedoutcasts,menandwomen.
AllthesehorrorsafflictedJurgisallthemorecruelly,becausehewasalwayscontrastingthemwiththeopportunitieshehadlost.
Forinstance,justnowitwaselectiontimeagain—withinfiveorsixweeksthevotersofthecountrywouldselectaPresident;andheheardthewretcheswithwhomheassociateddiscussingit,andsawthestreetsofthecitydecoratedwithplacardsandbanners—andwhatwordscoulddescribethepangsofgriefanddespairthatshotthroughhim?
Forinstance,therewasanightduringthiscoldspell.
Hehadbeggedallday,forhisverylife,andfoundnotasoultoheedhim,untiltowardeveninghesawanoldladygettingoffastreetcarandhelpedherdownwithherumbrellasandbundlesandthentoldherhis“hard-luckstory,”andafteransweringallhersuspiciousquestionssatisfactorily,wastakentoarestaurantandsawaquarterpaiddownforameal.
Andsohehadsoupandbread,andboiledbeefandpotatoesandbeans,andpieandcoffee,andcameoutwithhisskinstuffedtightasafootball.
Andthen,throughtherainandthedarkness,fardownthestreethesawredlightsflaringandheardthethumpingofabassdrum;andhisheartgavealeap,andhemadefortheplaceontherun—knowingwithouttheaskingthatitmeantapoliticalmeeting.
Thecampaignhadsofarbeencharacterizedbywhatthenewspaperstermed“apathy.”
Forsomereasonthepeoplerefusedtogetexcitedoverthestruggle,anditwasalmostimpossibletogetthemtocometomeetings,ortomakeanynoisewhentheydidcome.
ThosewhichhadbeenheldinChicagosofarhadprovenmostdismalfailures,andtonight,thespeakerbeingnolessapersonagethanacandidateforthevice-presidencyofthenation,thepoliticalmanagershadbeentremblingwithanxiety.
Butamercifulprovidencehadsentthisstormofcoldrain—andnowallitwasnecessarytodowastosetoffafewfireworks,andthumpawhileonadrum,andallthehomelesswretchesfromamilearoundwouldpourinandfillthehall!
Andthenonthemorrowthenewspaperswouldhaveachancetoreportthetremendousovation,andtoaddthatithadbeenno“silk-stocking”audience,either,provingclearlythatthehightariffsentimentsofthedistinguishedcandidatewerepleasingtothewage-earnersofthenation.
SoJurgisfoundhimselfinalargehall,elaboratelydecoratedwithflagsandbunting;andafterthechairmanhadmadehislittlespeech,andtheoratoroftheeveningroseup,amidanuproarfromtheband—onlyfancytheemotionsofJurgisuponmakingthediscoverythatthepersonagewasnoneotherthanthefamousandeloquentSenatorSpareshanks,whohadaddressedthe“DoyleRepublicanAssociation”atthestockyards,andhelpedtoelectMikeScully’stenpinsettertotheChicagoBoardofAldermen!
Intruth,thesightofthesenatoralmostbroughtthetearsintoJurgis’seyes.
Whatagonyitwastohimtolookbackuponthosegoldenhours,whenhe,too,hadaplacebeneaththeshadowoftheplumtree!
Whenhe,too,hadbeenoftheelect,throughwhomthecountryisgoverned—whenhehadhadabunginthecampaignbarrelforhisown!
AndthiswasanotherelectioninwhichtheRepublicanshadallthemoney;andbutforthatonehideousaccidenthemighthavehadashareofit,insteadofbeingwherehewas!
Theeloquentsenatorwasexplainingthesystemofprotection;aningeniousdevicewherebytheworkingmanpermittedthemanufacturertochargehimhigherprices,inorderthathemightreceivehigherwages;thustakinghismoneyoutofhispocketwithonehand,andputtingapartofitbackwiththeother.
Tothesenatorthisuniquearrangementhadsomehowbecomeidentifiedwiththehigherveritiesoftheuniverse.
ItwasbecauseofitthatColumbiawasthegemoftheocean;andallherfuturetriumphs,herpowerandgoodreputeamongthenations,dependeduponthezealandfidelitywithwhicheachcitizenheldupthehandsofthosewhoweretoilingtomaintainit.
Thenameofthisheroiccompanywas“theGrandOldParty”—
Andherethebandbegantoplay,andJurgissatupwithaviolentstart.
Singularasitmayseem,Jurgiswasmakingadesperateefforttounderstandwhatthesenatorwassaying—tocomprehendtheextentofAmericanprosperity,theenormousexpansionofAmericancommerce,andtheRepublic’sfutureinthePacificandinSouthAmerica,andwhereverelsetheoppressedweregroaning.
Thereasonforitwasthathewantedtokeepawake.
Heknewthatifheallowedhimselftofallasleephewouldbegintosnoreloudly;andsohemustlisten—hemustbeinterested!
Buthehadeatensuchabigdinner,andhewassoexhausted,andthehallwassowarm,andhisseatwassocomfortable!
Thesenator’sgauntformbegantogrowdimandhazy,totowerbeforehimanddanceabout,withfiguresofexportsandimports.
Oncehisneighborgavehimasavagepokeintheribs,andhesatupwithastartandtriedtolookinnocent;butthenhewasatitagain,andmenbegantostareathimwithannoyance,andtocalloutinvexation.
Finallyoneofthemcalledapoliceman,whocameandgrabbedJurgisbythecollar,andjerkedhimtohisfeet,bewilderedandterrified.
Someoftheaudienceturnedtoseethecommotion,andSenatorSpareshanksfalteredinhisspeech;butavoiceshoutedcheerily:“We’rejustfiringabum!Goahead,oldsport!”
Andsothecrowdroared,andthesenatorsmiledgenially,andwenton;andinafewsecondspoorJurgisfoundhimselflandedoutintherain,withakickandastringofcurses.
Hegotintotheshelterofadoorwayandtookstockofhimself.
Hewasnothurt,andhewasnotarrested—morethanhehadanyrighttoexpect.
Hesworeathimselfandhisluckforawhile,andthenturnedhisthoughtstopracticalmatters.
Hehadnomoney,andnoplacetosleep;hemustbeginbeggingagain.
Hewentout,hunchinghisshoulderstogetherandshiveringatthetouchoftheicyrain.
Comingdownthestreettowardhimwasalady,welldressed,andprotectedbyanumbrella;andheturnedandwalkedbesideher.
“Please,ma’am,”hebegan,“couldyoulendmethepriceofanight’slodging?I’mapoorworking-man—”
Then,suddenly,hestoppedshort.Bythelightofastreetlamphehadcaughtsightofthelady’sface.Heknewher.
ItwasAlenaJasaityte,whohadbeenthebelleofhisweddingfeast!
AlenaJasaityte,whohadlookedsobeautiful,anddancedwithsuchaqueenlyair,withJuozasRaczius,theteamster!
Jurgishadonlyseenheronceortwiceafterward,forJuozashadthrownheroverforanothergirl,andAlenahadgoneawayfromPackingtown,nooneknewwhere.Andnowhemetherhere!
Shewasasmuchsurprisedashewas.“JurgisRudkus!”shegasped.“Andwhatintheworldisthematterwithyou?”
“I—I’vehadhardluck,”hestammered.“I’moutofwork,andI’venohomeandnomoney.Andyou,Alena—areyoumarried?”
“No,”sheanswered,“I’mnotmarried,butI’vegotagoodplace.”
Theystoodstaringateachotherforafewmomentslonger.FinallyAlenaspokeagain.
“Jurgis,”shesaid,“I’dhelpyouifIcould,uponmywordIwould,butithappensthatI’vecomeoutwithoutmypurse,andIhonestlyhaven’tapennywithme:Icandosomethingbetterforyou,though—Icantellyouhowtogethelp.IcantellyouwhereMarijais.”
Jurgisgaveastart.“Marija!”heexclaimed.
“Yes,”saidAlena;“andshe’llhelpyou.She’sgotaplace,andshe’sdoingwell;she’llbegladtoseeyou.”
ItwasnotmuchmorethanayearsinceJurgishadleftPackingtown,feelinglikeoneescapedfromjail;andithadbeenfromMarijaandElzbietathathewasescaping.
Butnow,atthemerementionofthem,hiswholebeingcriedoutwithjoy.
Hewantedtoseethem;hewantedtogohome!
Theywouldhelphim—theywouldbekindtohim.
Inaflashhehadthoughtoverthesituation.
Hehadagoodexcuseforrunningaway—hisgriefatthedeathofhisson;andalsohehadagoodexcusefornotreturning—thefactthattheyhadleftPackingtown.“Allright,”hesaid,“I’llgo.”
SoshegavehimanumberonClarkStreet,adding,“There’snoneedtogiveyoumyaddress,becauseMarijaknowsit.”
AndJurgissetout,withoutfurtherado.
Hefoundalargebrownstonehouseofaristocraticappearance,andrangthebasementbell.
Ayoungcoloredgirlcametothedoor,openingitaboutaninch,andgazingathimsuspiciously.
“Whatdoyouwant?”shedemanded.
“DoesMarijaBerczynskaslivehere?”heinquired.
“Idunno,”saidthegirl.“Whatyouwantwidher?”
“Iwanttoseeher,”saidhe;“she’sarelativeofmine.”
Thegirlhesitatedamoment.Thensheopenedthedoorandsaid,“Comein.”Jurgiscameandstoodinthehall,andshecontinued:“I’llgosee.What’syo’name?”
“Tellherit’sJurgis,”heanswered,andthegirlwentupstairs.Shecamebackattheendofaminuteortwo,andreplied,“Deyain’tnosichpersonhere.”
Jurgis’sheartwentdownintohisboots.“Iwastoldthiswaswhereshelived!”hecried.Butthegirlonlyshookherhead.“Deladysaysdeyain’tnosichpersonhere,”shesaid.
Andhestoodforamoment,hesitating,helplesswithdismay.Thenheturnedtogotothedoor.
Atthesameinstant,however,therecameaknockuponit,andthegirlwenttoopenit.
Jurgisheardtheshufflingoffeet,andthenheardhergiveacry;andthenextmomentshesprangback,andpasthim,hereyesshiningwhitewithterror,andboundedupthestairway,screamingatthetopofherlungs:“Police!Police!We’repinched!”
Jurgisstoodforasecond,bewildered.Then,seeingblue-coatedformsrushinguponhim,hesprangaftertheNegress.
Hercrieshadbeenthesignalforawilduproarabove;thehousewasfullofpeople,andasheenteredthehallwayhesawthemrushinghitherandthither,cryingandscreamingwithalarm.
Thereweremenandwomen,thelattercladforthemostpartinwrappers,theformerinallstagesofdishabille.
AtonesideJurgiscaughtaglimpseofabigapartmentwithplush-coveredchairs,andtablescoveredwithtraysandglasses.
Therewereplayingcardsscatteredalloverthefloor—oneofthetableshadbeenupset,andbottlesofwinewererollingabout,theircontentsrunningoutuponthecarpet.
Therewasayounggirlwhohadfainted,andtwomenwhoweresupportingher;andtherewereadozenotherscrowdingtowardthefrontdoor.
Suddenly,however,therecameaseriesofresoundingblowsuponit,causingthecrowdtogiveback.
Atthesameinstantastoutwoman,withpaintedcheeksanddiamondsinherears,camerunningdownthestairs,pantingbreathlessly:“Totherear!Quick!”
Sheledthewaytoabackstaircase,Jurgisfollowing;inthekitchenshepressedaspring,andacupboardgavewayandopened,disclosingadarkpassageway.“Goin!”
shecriedtothecrowd,whichnowamountedtotwentyorthirty,andtheybegantopassthrough.
Scarcelyhadthelastonedisappeared,however,beforetherewerecriesfrominfront,andthenthepanic-strickenthrongpouredoutagain,exclaiming:“They’retheretoo!We’retrapped!”
“Upstairs!”criedthewoman,andtherewasanotherrushofthemob,womenandmencursingandscreamingandfightingtobefirst.
Oneflight,two,three—andthentherewasaladdertotheroof,withacrowdpackedatthefootofit,andonemanatthetop,strainingandstrugglingtoliftthetrapdoor.
Itwasnottobestirred,however,andwhenthewomanshouteduptounhookit,heanswered:“It’salreadyunhooked.There’ssomebodysittingonit!”
Andamomentlatercameavoicefromdownstairs:“Youmightaswellquit,youpeople.Wemeanbusiness,thistime.”
Sothecrowdsubsided;andafewmomentslaterseveralpolicemencameup,staringhereandthere,andleeringattheirvictims.
Ofthelatterthemenwereforthemostpartfrightenedandsheepish-looking.
Thewomentookitasajoke,asiftheywereusedtoit—thoughiftheyhadbeenpale,onecouldnothavetold,forthepaintontheircheeks.
Oneblack-eyedyounggirlperchedherselfuponthetopofthebalustrade,andbegantokickwithherslipperedfootatthehelmetsofthepolicemen,untiloneofthemcaughtherbytheankleandpulledherdown.
Onthefloorbelowfourorfiveothergirlssatupontrunksinthehall,makingfunoftheprocessionwhichfiledbythem.
Theywerenoisyandhilarious,andhadevidentlybeendrinking;oneofthem,whoworeabrightredkimono,shoutedandscreamedinavoicethatdrownedoutalltheothersoundsinthehall—andJurgistookaglanceather,andthengaveastart,andacry,“Marija!”
Sheheardhim,andglancedaround;thensheshrankbackandhalfsprangtoherfeetinamazement.“Jurgis!”shegasped.
Forasecondortwotheystoodstaringateachother.“Howdidyoucomehere?”Marijaexclaimed.
“Icametoseeyou,”heanswered.
“When?”
“Justnow.”
“Buthowdidyouknow—whotoldyouIwashere?”
“AlenaJasaityte.Imetheronthestreet.”
Againtherewasasilence,whiletheygazedateachother.Therestofthecrowdwaswatchingthem,andsoMarijagotupandcameclosertohim.“Andyou?”Jurgisasked.“Youlivehere?”
“Yes,”saidMarija,“Ilivehere.”Thensuddenlycameahailfrombelow:“Getyourclothesonnow,girls,andcomealong.You’dbestbegin,oryou’llbesorry—it’srainingoutside.”
“Br-r-r!”shiveredsomeone,andthewomengotupandenteredthevariousdoorswhichlinedthehallway.
“Come,”saidMarija,andtookJurgisintoherroom,whichwasatinyplaceabouteightbysix,withacotandachairandadressingstandandsomedresseshangingbehindthedoor.
Therewereclothesscatteredaboutonthefloor,andhopelessconfusioneverywhere—boxesofrougeandbottlesofperfumemixedwithhatsandsoileddishesonthedresser,andapairofslippersandaclockandawhiskybottleonachair.
Marijahadnothingonbutakimonoandapairofstockings;yetsheproceededtodressbeforeJurgis,andwithouteventakingthetroubletoclosethedoor.
Hehadbythistimedivinedwhatsortofaplacehewasin;andhehadseenagreatdealoftheworldsincehehadlefthome,andwasnoteasytoshock—andyetitgavehimapainfulstartthatMarijashoulddothis.
Theyhadalwaysbeendecentpeopleathome,anditseemedtohimthatthememoryofoldtimesoughttohaveruledher.
Butthenhelaughedathimselfforafool.
Whatwashe,tobepretendingtodecency!
“Howlonghaveyoubeenlivinghere?”heasked.
“Nearlyayear,”sheanswered.
“Whydidyoucome?”
“Ihadtolive,”shesaid;“andIcouldn’tseethechildrenstarve.”
Hepausedforamoment,watchingher.“Youwereoutofwork?”heasked,finally.
“Igotsick,”shereplied.“andafterthatIhadnomoney.AndthenStanislovasdied—”
“Stanislovasdead!”
“Yes,”saidMarija,“Iforgot.Youdidn’tknowaboutit.”
“Howdidhedie?”
“Ratskilledhim,”sheanswered.
Jurgisgaveagasp.“Ratskilledhim!”
“Yes,”saidtheother;shewasbendingover,lacinghershoesasshespoke.
“Hewasworkinginanoilfactory—atleasthewashiredbythementogettheirbeer.
Heusedtocarrycansonalongpole;andhe’ddrinkalittleoutofeachcan,andonedayhedranktoomuch,andfellasleepinacorner,andgotlockedupintheplaceallnight.
Whentheyfoundhimtheratshadkilledhimandeatenhimnearlyallup.”
Jurgissat,frozenwithhorror.Marijawentonlacinguphershoes.Therewasalongsilence.
Suddenlyabigpolicemancametothedoor.“Hurryup,there,”hesaid.
“AsquickasIcan,”saidMarija,andshestoodupandbeganputtingonhercorsetswithfeverishhaste.
“Aretherestofthepeoplealive?”askedJurgis,finally.
“Yes,”shesaid.
“Wherearethey?”
“Theylivenotfarfromhere.They’reallrightnow.”
“Theyareworking?”heinquired.
“Elzbietais,”saidMarija,“whenshecan.Itakecareofthemmostofthetime—I’mmakingplentyofmoneynow.”
Jurgiswassilentforamoment.“Dotheyknowyoulivehere—howyoulive?”heasked.
“Elzbietaknows,”answeredMarija.“Icouldn’tlietoher.Andmaybethechildrenhavefoundoutbythistime.It’snothingtobeashamedof—wecan’thelpit.”
“AndTamoszius?”heasked.“Doesheknow?”
Marijashruggedhershoulders.“HowdoIknow?”shesaid.“Ihaven’tseenhimforoverayear.
Hegotbloodpoisoningandlostonefinger,andcouldn’tplaytheviolinanymore;andthenhewentaway.”
Marijawasstandinginfrontoftheglassfasteningherdress.Jurgissatstaringather.
Hecouldhardlybelievethatshewasthesamewomanhehadknownintheolddays;shewassoquiet—sohard!
Itstruckfeartohishearttowatchher.
Thensuddenlyshegaveaglanceathim.“Youlookasifyouhadbeenhavingaroughtimeofityourself,”shesaid.
“Ihave,”heanswered.“Ihaven’tacentinmypockets,andnothingtodo.”
“Wherehaveyoubeen?”
“Allover.I’vebeenhoboingit.
ThenIwentbacktotheyards—justbeforethestrike.”Hepausedforamoment,hesitating.“Iaskedforyou,”headded.
“Ifoundyouhadgoneaway,nooneknewwhere.
PerhapsyouthinkIdidyouadirtytrick.runningawayasIdid,Marija—”
“No,”sheanswered,“Idon’tblameyou.Weneverhave—anyofus.
Youdidyourbest—thejobwastoomuchforus.”
Shepausedamoment,thenadded:“Weweretooignorant—thatwasthetrouble.Wedidn’tstandanychance.
IfI’dknownwhatIknownowwe’dhavewonout.”
“You’dhavecomehere?”saidJurgis.
“Yes,”sheanswered;“butthat’snotwhatImeant.Imeantyou—howdifferentlyyouwouldhavebehaved—aboutOna.”
Jurgiswassilent;hehadneverthoughtofthataspectofit.
“Whenpeoplearestarving,”theothercontinued,“andtheyhaveanythingwithaprice,theyoughttosellit,Isay.
Iguessyourealizeitnowwhenit’stoolate.
Onacouldhavetakencareofusall,inthebeginning.”
Marijaspokewithoutemotion,asonewhohadcometoregardthingsfromthebusinesspointofview.
“I—yes,Iguessso,”Jurgisansweredhesitatingly.Hedidnotaddthathehadpaidthreehundreddollars,andaforeman’sjob,forthesatisfactionofknockingdown“Phil”Connorasecondtime.
Thepolicemancametothedooragainjustthen.“Comeon,now,”hesaid.“Lively!”
“Allright,”saidMarija,reachingforherhat,whichwasbigenoughtobeadrummajor’s,andfullofostrichfeathers.
ShewentoutintothehallandJurgisfollowed,thepolicemanremainingtolookunderthebedandbehindthedoor
“What’sgoingtocomeofthis?”Jurgisasked,astheystarteddownthesteps.
“Theraid,youmean?Oh,nothing—ithappenstouseverynowandthen.
Themadame’shavingsomesortoftimewiththepolice;Idon’tknowwhatitis,butmaybethey’llcometotermsbeforemorning.Anyhow,theywon’tdoanythingtoyou.Theyalwaysletthemenoff.”
“Maybeso,”heresponded,“butnotme—I’mafraidI’minforit.”
“Howdoyoumean?”
“I’mwantedbythepolice,”hesaid,loweringhisvoice,thoughofcoursetheirconversationwasinLithuanian.“They’llsendmeupforayearortwo,I’mafraid.”
“Hell!”saidMarija.“That’stoobad.I’llseeifIcan’tgetyouoff.”
Downstairs,wherethegreaterpartoftheprisonerswerenowmassed,shesoughtoutthestoutpersonagewiththediamondearrings,andhadafewwhisperedwordswithher.
Thelatterthenapproachedthepolicesergeantwhowasinchargeoftheraid.
“Billy,”shesaid,pointingtoJurgis,“there’safellowwhocameintoseehissister.
He’djustgotinthedoorwhenyouknocked.Youaren’ttakinghoboes,areyou?”
ThesergeantlaughedashelookedatJurgis.“Sorry,”hesaid,“buttheordersareeveryonebuttheservants.”
SoJurgisslunkinamongtherestofthemen,whokeptdodgingbehindeachotherlikesheepthathavesmelledawolf.
Therewereoldmenandyoungmen,collegeboysandgray-beardsoldenoughtobetheirgrandfathers;someofthemworeeveningdress—therewasnooneamongthemsaveJurgiswhoshowedanysignsofpoverty.
Whentheroundupwascompleted,thedoorswereopenedandthepartymarchedout.
Threepatrolwagonsweredrawnupatthecurb,andthewholeneighborhoodhadturnedouttoseethesport;therewasmuchchaffing,andauniversalcraningofnecks.
Thewomenstaredaboutthemwithdefianteyes,orlaughedandjoked,whilethemenkepttheirheadsbowed,andtheirhatspulledovertheirfaces.
Theywerecrowdedintothepatrolwagonsasifintostreetcars,andthenofftheywentamidadinofcheers.
AtthestationhouseJurgisgaveaPolishnameandwasputintoacellwithhalfadozenothers;andwhilethesesatandtalkedinwhispers,helaydowninacornerandgavehimselfuptohisthoughts.
Jurgishadlookedintothedeepestreachesofthesocialpit,andgrownusedtothesightsinthem.
Yetwhenhehadthoughtofallhumanityasvileandhideous,hehadsomehowalwaysexceptedhisownfamily.
thathehadloved;andnowthissuddenhorriblediscovery—Marijaawhore,andElzbietaandthechildrenlivingoffhershame!
Jurgismightarguewithhimselfallhechose,thathehaddoneworse,andwasafoolforcaring—butstillhecouldnotgetovertheshockofthatsuddenunveiling,hecouldnothelpbeingsunkingriefbecauseofit.
Thedepthsofhimweretroubledandshaken,memorieswerestirredinhimthathadbeensleepingsolonghehadcountedthemdead.
Memoriesoftheoldlife—hisoldhopesandhisoldyearnings,hisolddreamsofdecencyandindependence!
HesawOnaagain,heheardhergentlevoicepleadingwithhim.
HesawlittleAntanas,whomhehadmeanttomakeaman.
Hesawhistremblingoldfather,whohadblessedthemallwithhiswonderfullove.
HelivedagainthroughthatdayofhorrorwhenhehaddiscoveredOna’sshame—God,howhehadsuffered,whatamadmanhehadbeen!
Howdreadfulithadallseemedtohim;andnow,today,hehadsatandlistened,andhalfagreedwhenMarijatoldhimhehadbeenafool!
Yes—toldhimthatheoughttohavesoldhiswife’shonorandlivedbyit!
—AndthentherewasStanislovasandhisawfulfate—thatbriefstorywhichMarijahadnarratedsocalmly,withsuchdullindifference!
Thepoorlittlefellow,withhisfrostbittenfingersandhisterrorofthesnow—hiswailingvoiceranginJurgis’sears,ashelaythereinthedarkness,untilthesweatstartedonhisforehead.
Nowandthenhewouldquiverwithasuddenspasmofhorror,atthepictureoflittleStanislovasshutupinthedesertedbuildingandfightingforhislifewiththerats!
AlltheseemotionshadbecomestrangerstothesoulofJurgis;itwassolongsincetheyhadtroubledhimthathehadceasedtothinktheymightevertroublehimagain.
Helpless,trapped,ashewas,whatgooddidtheydohim—whyshouldheeverhaveallowedthemtotormenthim?
Ithadbeenthetaskofhisrecentlifetofightthemdown,tocrushthemoutofhim,neverinhislifewouldhehavesufferedfromthemagain,savethattheyhadcaughthimunawares,andoverwhelmedhimbeforehecouldprotecthimself.
Heheardtheoldvoicesofhissoul,hesawitsoldghostsbeckoningtohim,stretchingouttheirarmstohim!
Buttheywerefar-offandshadowy,andthegulfbetweenthemwasblackandbottomless;theywouldfadeawayintothemistsofthepastoncemore.
Theirvoiceswoulddie,andneveragainwouldhehearthem—andsothelastfaintsparkofmanhoodinhissoulwouldflickerout.
Share this article to
FINISH