Bartleby the Scrivener (Public Domain)

7/31/2019 Bartleby the Scrivener (Public Domain)

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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofBartleby,TheScrivener,byHermanMelville

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.net

Title:Bartleby,TheScrivenerAStoryofWall-Street

Author:HermanMelville

ReleaseDate:February23,2004[EBook#11231][Datelastupdated:April29,2005]

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:ASCII

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKBARTLEBY,THESCRIVENER***

ProducedbySteveJ.NelsonandClaraT.Nelson

BARTLEBY,THESCRIVENER.

ASTORYOFWALL-STREET.

Iamaratherelderlyman.Thenatureofmyavocationsforthelastthirtyyearshasbroughtmeintomorethanordinarycontactwithwhatwouldseemaninterestingandsomewhatsingularsetofmen,ofwhomas

yetnothingthatIknowofhaseverbeenwritten:--Imeanthelaw-copyistsorscriveners.Ihaveknownverymanyofthem,professionallyandprivately,andifIpleased,couldrelatedivershistories,atwhichgood-naturedgentlemenmightsmile,andsentimentalsoulsmightweep.ButIwaivethebiographiesofallotherscrivenersforafewpassagesinthelifeofBartleby,whowasascrivenerofthestrangestIeversaworheardof.Whileofotherlaw-copyistsImightwritethecompletelife,ofBartlebynothingofthatsortcanbedone.Ibelievethatnomaterialsexistforafullandsatisfactorybiographyofthisman.Itisanirreparablelosstoliterature.Bartlebywasoneofthosebeingsofwhomnothingisascertainable,exceptfromtheoriginalsources,andinhiscasethoseareverysmall.WhatmyownastonishedeyessawofBartleby,_that_isallIknowofhim,except,

indeed,onevaguereportwhichwillappearinthesequel.

Ereintroducingthescrivener,ashefirstappearedtome,itisfitImakesomementionofmyself,my_employees_,mybusiness,mychambers,andgeneralsurroundings;becausesomesuchdescriptionisindispensabletoanadequateunderstandingofthechiefcharacterabouttobepresented.

Imprimis:Iamamanwho,fromhisyouthupwards,hasbeenfilledwithaprofoundconvictionthattheeasiestwayoflifeisthebest.Hence,


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thoughIbelongtoaprofessionproverbiallyenergeticandnervous,eventoturbulence,attimes,yetnothingofthatsorthaveIeversufferedtoinvademypeace.Iamoneofthoseunambitiouslawyerswhoneveraddressesajury,orinanywaydrawsdownpublicapplause;butinthecooltranquilityofasnugretreat,doasnugbusinessamongrichmen'sbondsandmortgagesandtitle-deeds.Allwhoknowme,considermeaneminently_safe_man.ThelateJohnJacobAstor,apersonagelittlegiventopoeticenthusiasm,hadnohesitationinpronouncingmyfirstgrandpointtobeprudence;mynext,method.Idonotspeakitinvanity,butsimplyrecordthefact,thatIwasnotunemployedinmyprofessionbythelateJohnJacobAstor;anamewhich,Iadmit,Ilovetorepeat,forithatharoundedandorbicularsoundtoit,andringslikeuntobullion.Iwillfreelyadd,thatIwasnotinsensibletothelateJohnJacobAstor'sgoodopinion.

Sometimepriortotheperiodatwhichthislittlehistorybegins,myavocationshadbeenlargelyincreased.Thegoodoldoffice,nowextinctintheStateofNewYork,ofaMasterinChancery,hadbeenconferreduponme.Itwasnotaveryarduousoffice,butverypleasantlyremunerative.Iseldomlosemytemper;muchmoreseldomindulgeindangerousindignationatwrongsandoutrages;butImustbepermittedtoberashhereanddeclare,thatIconsiderthesuddenandviolentabrogationoftheofficeofMasterinChancery,bythenewConstitution,asa--prematureact;inasmuchasIhadcounteduponalife-leaseofthe

profits,whereasIonlyreceivedthoseofafewshortyears.Butthisisbytheway.

MychamberswereupstairsatNo.--Wall-street.Atoneendtheylookeduponthewhitewalloftheinteriorofaspacioussky-lightshaft,penetratingthebuildingfromtoptobottom.Thisviewmighthavebeenconsideredrathertamethanotherwise,deficientinwhatlandscapepainterscall"life."Butifso,theviewfromtheotherendofmychambersoffered,atleast,acontrast,ifnothingmore.Inthatdirectionmywindowscommandedanunobstructedviewofaloftybrickwall,blackbyageandeverlastingshade;whichwallrequirednospy-glasstobringoutitslurkingbeauties,butforthebenefitofallnear-sightedspectators,waspusheduptowithintenfeetofmywindow

panes.Owingtothegreatheightofthesurroundingbuildings,andmychambersbeingonthesecondfloor,theintervalbetweenthiswallandminenotalittleresembledahugesquarecistern.

AttheperiodjustprecedingtheadventofBartleby,Ihadtwopersonsascopyistsinmyemployment,andapromisingladasanoffice-boy.First,Turkey;second,Nippers;third,GingerNut.Thesemayseemnames,thelikeofwhicharenotusuallyfoundintheDirectory.Intruththeywerenicknames,mutuallyconferreduponeachotherbymythreeclerks,andweredeemedexpressiveoftheirrespectivepersonsorcharacters.Turkeywasashort,pursyEnglishmanofaboutmyownage,thatis,somewherenotfarfromsixty.Inthemorning,onemightsay,hisfacewasofafinefloridhue,butaftertwelveo'clock,

meridian--hisdinnerhour--itblazedlikeagratefullofChristmascoals;andcontinuedblazing--but,asitwere,withagradualwane--till6o'clock,P.M.orthereabouts,afterwhichIsawnomoreoftheproprietoroftheface,whichgainingitsmeridianwiththesun,seemedtosetwithit,torise,culminate,anddeclinethefollowingday,withthelikeregularityandundiminishedglory.TherearemanysingularcoincidencesIhaveknowninthecourseofmylife,nottheleastamongwhichwasthefact,thatexactlywhenTurkeydisplayedhisfullestbeamsfromhisredandradiantcountenance,justthen,too,atthatcriticalmoment,beganthedailyperiodwhenIconsideredhisbusinesscapacities


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asseriouslydisturbedfortheremainderofthetwenty-fourhours.Notthathewasabsolutelyidle,oraversetobusinessthen;farfromit.Thedifficultywas,hewasapttobealtogethertooenergetic.Therewasastrange,inflamed,flurried,flightyrecklessnessofactivityabouthim.Hewouldbeincautiousindippinghispenintohisinkstand.Allhisblotsuponmydocuments,weredroppedthereaftertwelveo'clock,meridian.Indeed,notonlywouldheberecklessandsadlygiventomakingblotsintheafternoon,butsomedayshewentfurther,andwasrathernoisy.Atsuchtimes,too,hisfaceflamedwithaugmentedblazonry,asifcannelcoalhadbeenheapedonanthracite.Hemadeanunpleasantracketwithhischair;spilledhissand-box;inmendinghispens,impatientlysplitthemalltopieces,andthrewthemonthefloorinasuddenpassion;stoodupandleanedoverhistable,boxinghispapersaboutinamostindecorousmanner,verysadtobeholdinanelderlymanlikehim.Nevertheless,ashewasinmanywaysamostvaluablepersontome,andallthetimebeforetwelveo'clock,meridian,wasthequickest,steadiestcreaturetoo,accomplishingagreatdealofworkinastylenoteasytobematched--forthesereasons,Iwaswillingtooverlookhiseccentricities,thoughindeed,occasionally,Iremonstratedwithhim.Ididthisverygently,however,because,thoughthecivilest,nay,theblandestandmostreverentialofmeninthemorning,yetintheafternoonhewasdisposed,uponprovocation,tobeslightlyrashwithhistongue,infact,insolent.Now,valuinghismorningservicesasIdid,andresolvednottolosethem;yet,atthe

sametimemadeuncomfortablebyhisinflamedwaysaftertwelveo'clock;andbeingamanofpeace,unwillingbymyadmonitionstocallforthunseemlyretortsfromhim;Itookuponme,oneSaturdaynoon(hewasalwaysworseonSaturdays),tohinttohim,verykindly,thatperhapsnowthathewasgrowingold,itmightbewelltoabridgehislabors;inshort,heneednotcometomychambersaftertwelveo'clock,but,dinnerover,hadbestgohometohislodgingsandresthimselftillteatime.Butno;heinsisteduponhisafternoondevotions.Hiscountenancebecameintolerablyfervid,asheoratoricallyassuredme--gesticulatingwithalongrulerattheotherendoftheroom--thatifhisservicesinthemorningwereuseful,howindispensable,then,intheafternoon?

"Withsubmission,sir,"saidTurkeyonthisoccasion,"Iconsidermyself

yourright-handman.InthemorningIbutmarshalanddeploymycolumns;butintheafternoonIputmyselfattheirhead,andgallantlychargethefoe,thus!"--andhemadeaviolentthrustwiththeruler.

"Buttheblots,Turkey,"intimatedI.

"True,--but,withsubmission,sir,beholdthesehairs!Iamgettingold.Surely,sir,ablotortwoofawarmafternoonisnottobeseverelyurgedagainstgrayhairs.Oldage--evenifitblotthepage--ishonorable.Withsubmission,sir,we_both_aregettingold."

Thisappealtomyfellow-feelingwashardlytoberesisted.Atallevents,Isawthatgohewouldnot.SoImadeupmymindtolethim

stay,resolving,nevertheless,toseetoit,thatduringtheafternoonhehadtodowithmylessimportantpapers.

Nippers,thesecondonmylist,wasawhiskered,sallow,and,uponthewhole,ratherpiratical-lookingyoungmanofaboutfiveandtwenty.Ialwaysdeemedhimthevictimoftwoevilpowers--ambitionandindigestion.Theambitionwasevincedbyacertainimpatienceofthedutiesofamerecopyist,anunwarrantableusurpationofstrictlyprofessionalaffairs,suchastheoriginaldrawingupoflegaldocuments.Theindigestionseemedbetokenedinanoccasionalnervous


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testinessandgrinningirritability,causingtheteethtoaudiblygrindtogetherovermistakescommittedincopying;unnecessarymaledictions,hissed,ratherthanspoken,intheheatofbusiness;andespeciallybyacontinualdiscontentwiththeheightofthetablewhereheworked.Thoughofaveryingeniousmechanicalturn,Nipperscouldnevergetthistabletosuithim.Heputchipsunderit,blocksofvarioussorts,bitsofpasteboard,andatlastwentsofarastoattemptanexquisiteadjustmentbyfinalpiecesoffoldedblottingpaper.Butnoinventionwouldanswer.If,forthesakeofeasinghisback,hebroughtthetablelidatasharpanglewelluptowardshischin,andwrotetherelikeamanusingthesteeproofofaDutchhouseforhisdesk:--thenhedeclaredthatitstoppedthecirculationinhisarms.Ifnowheloweredthetabletohiswaistbands,andstoopedoveritinwriting,thentherewasasoreachinginhisback.Inshort,thetruthofthematterwas,Nippersknewnotwhathewanted.Or,ifhewantedanything,itwastoberidofascrivener'stablealtogether.Amongthemanifestationsofhisdiseasedambitionwasafondnesshehadforreceivingvisitsfromcertainambiguous-lookingfellowsinseedycoats,whomhecalledhisclients.IndeedIwasawarethatnotonlywashe,attimes,considerableofaward-politician,butheoccasionallydidalittlebusinessattheJustices'courts,andwasnotunknownonthestepsoftheTombs.Ihavegoodreasontobelieve,however,thatoneindividualwhocalleduponhimatmychambers,andwho,withagrandair,heinsistedwashisclient,wasnootherthanadun,andthealleged

title-deed,abill.Butwithallhisfailings,andtheannoyanceshecausedme,Nippers,likehiscompatriotTurkey,wasaveryusefulmantome;wroteaneat,swifthand;and,whenhechose,wasnotdeficientinagentlemanlysortofdeportment.Addedtothis,healwaysdressedinagentlemanlysortofway;andso,incidentally,reflectedcredituponmychambers.WhereaswithrespecttoTurkey,Ihadmuchadotokeephimfrombeingareproachtome.Hisclotheswereapttolookoilyandsmellofeating-houses.Heworehispantaloonsverylooseandbaggyinsummer.Hiscoatswereexecrable;hishatnottobehandled.Butwhilethehatwasathingofindifferencetome,inasmuchashisnaturalcivilityanddeference,asadependentEnglishman,alwaysledhimtodoffitthemomentheenteredtheroom,yethiscoatwasanothermatter.Concerninghiscoats,Ireasonedwithhim;butwithnoeffect.The

truthwas,Isuppose,thatamanofsosmallanincome,couldnotaffordtosportsuchalustrousfaceandalustrouscoatatoneandthesametime.AsNippersonceobserved,Turkey'smoneywentchieflyforredink.OnewinterdayIpresentedTurkeywithahighly-respectablelookingcoatofmyown,apaddedgraycoat,ofamostcomfortablewarmth,andwhichbuttonedstraightupfromthekneetotheneck.IthoughtTurkeywouldappreciatethefavor,andabatehisrashnessandobstreperousnessofafternoons.Butno.Iverilybelievethatbuttoninghimselfupinsodownyandblanket-likeacoathadaperniciouseffectuponhim;uponthesameprinciplethattoomuchoatsarebadforhorses.Infact,preciselyasarash,restivehorseissaidtofeelhisoats,soTurkeyfelthiscoat.Itmadehiminsolent.Hewasamanwhomprosperityharmed.

Thoughconcerningtheself-indulgenthabitsofTurkeyIhadmyownprivatesurmises,yettouchingNippersIwaswellpersuadedthatwhatevermightbyhisfaultsinotherrespects,hewas,atleast,atemperateyoungman.Butindeed,natureherselfseemedtohavebeenhisvintner,andathisbirthchargedhimsothoroughlywithanirritable,brandy-likedisposition,thatallsubsequentpotationswereneedless.WhenIconsiderhow,amidthestillnessofmychambers,Nipperswouldsometimesimpatientlyrisefromhisseat,andstoopingoverhistable,spreadhisarmswideapart,seizethewholedesk,andmoveit,andjerk


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it,withagrim,grindingmotiononthefloor,asifthetablewereaperversevoluntaryagent,intentonthwartingandvexinghim;IplainlyperceivethatforNippers,brandyandwaterwerealtogethersuperfluous.

Itwasfortunateformethat,owingtoitspeculiarcause--indigestion--theirritabilityandconsequentnervousnessofNippers,weremainlyobservableinthemorning,whileintheafternoonhewascomparativelymild.SothatTurkey'sparoxysmsonlycomingonabouttwelveo'clock,Ineverhadtodowiththeireccentricitiesatonetime.Theirfitsrelievedeachotherlikeguards.WhenNippers'wason,Turkey'swasoff;and_viceversa_.Thiswasagoodnaturalarrangementunderthecircumstances.

GingerNut,thethirdonmylist,wasaladsometwelveyearsold.Hisfatherwasacarman,ambitiousofseeinghissononthebenchinsteadofacart,beforehedied.Sohesenthimtomyofficeasstudentatlaw,errandboy,andcleanerandsweeper,attherateofonedollaraweek.Hehadalittledesktohimself,buthedidnotuseitmuch.Uponinspection,thedrawerexhibitedagreatarrayoftheshellsofvarioussortsofnuts.Indeed,tothisquick-wittedyouththewholenoblescienceofthelawwascontainedinanut-shell.NottheleastamongtheemploymentsofGingerNut,aswellasonewhichhedischargedwiththemostalacrity,washisdutyascakeandapplepurveyorforTurkeyandNippers.Copyinglawpapersbeingproverbiallydry,huskysortof

business,mytwoscrivenerswerefaintomoistentheirmouthsveryoftenwithSpitzenbergstobehadatthenumerousstallsnightheCustomHouseandPostOffice.Also,theysentGingerNutveryfrequentlyforthatpeculiarcake--small,flat,round,andveryspicy--afterwhichhehadbeennamedbythem.Ofacoldmorningwhenbusinesswasbutdull,Turkeywouldgobbleupscoresofthesecakes,asiftheyweremerewafers--indeedtheysellthemattherateofsixoreightforapenny--thescrapeofhispenblendingwiththecrunchingofthecrispparticlesinhismouth.OfallthefieryafternoonblundersandflurriedrashnessesofTurkey,washisoncemoisteningaginger-cakebetweenhislips,andclappingitontoamortgageforaseal.Icamewithinanaceofdismissinghimthen.Buthemollifiedmebymakinganorientalbow,andsaying--"Withsubmission,sir,itwasgenerousofme

tofindyouinstationeryonmyownaccount."

Nowmyoriginalbusiness--thatofaconveyancerandtitlehunter,anddrawer-upofreconditedocumentsofallsorts--wasconsiderablyincreasedbyreceivingthemaster'soffice.Therewasnowgreatworkforscriveners.NotonlymustIpushtheclerksalreadywithme,butImusthaveadditionalhelp.Inanswertomyadvertisement,amotionlessyoungmanonemorning,stooduponmyofficethreshold,thedoorbeingopen,foritwassummer.Icanseethatfigurenow--pallidlyneat,pitiablyrespectable,incurablyforlorn!ItwasBartleby.

Afterafewwordstouchinghisqualifications,Iengagedhim,gladtohaveamongmycorpsofcopyistsamanofsosingularlysedateanaspect,

whichIthoughtmightoperatebeneficiallyupontheflightytemperofTurkey,andthefieryoneofNippers.

Ishouldhavestatedbeforethatgroundglassfolding-doorsdividedmypremisesintotwoparts,oneofwhichwasoccupiedbymyscriveners,theotherbymyself.AccordingtomyhumorIthrewopenthesedoors,orclosedthem.IresolvedtoassignBartlebyacornerbythefolding-doors,butonmysideofthem,soastohavethisquietmanwithineasycall,incaseanytriflingthingwastobedone.Iplacedhisdeskcloseuptoasmallside-windowinthatpartoftheroom,a


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windowwhichoriginallyhadaffordedalateralviewofcertaingrimyback-yardsandbricks,butwhich,owingtosubsequenterections,commandedatpresentnoviewatall,thoughitgavesomelight.Withinthreefeetofthepaneswasawall,andthelightcamedownfromfarabove,betweentwoloftybuildings,asfromaverysmallopeninginadome.Stillfurthertoasatisfactoryarrangement,Iprocuredahighgreenfoldingscreen,whichmightentirelyisolateBartlebyfrommysight,thoughnotremovehimfrommyvoice.Andthus,inamanner,privacyandsocietywereconjoined.

AtfirstBartlebydidanextraordinaryquantityofwriting.Asiflongfamishingforsomethingtocopy,heseemedtogorgehimselfonmydocuments.Therewasnopausefordigestion.Heranadayandnightline,copyingbysun-lightandbycandle-light.Ishouldhavebeenquitedelightedwithhisapplication,hadhebeencheerfullyindustrious.Buthewroteonsilently,palely,mechanically.

Itis,ofcourse,anindispensablepartofascrivener'sbusinesstoverifytheaccuracyofhiscopy,wordbyword.Wheretherearetwoormorescrivenersinanoffice,theyassisteachotherinthisexamination,onereadingfromthecopy,theotherholdingtheoriginal.Itisaverydull,wearisome,andlethargicaffair.Icanreadilyimaginethattosomesanguinetemperamentsitwouldbealtogetherintolerable.Forexample,Icannotcreditthatthemettlesomepoet

ByronwouldhavecontentedlysatdownwithBartlebytoexaminealawdocumentof,sayfivehundredpages,closelywritteninacrimpyhand.

Nowandthen,inthehasteofbusiness,ithadbeenmyhabittoassistincomparingsomebriefdocumentmyself,callingTurkeyorNippersforthispurpose.OneobjectIhadinplacingBartlebysohandytomebehindthescreen,wastoavailmyselfofhisservicesonsuchtrivialoccasions.Itwasonthethirdday,Ithink,ofhisbeingwithme,andbeforeanynecessityhadarisenforhavinghisownwritingexamined,that,beingmuchhurriedtocompleteasmallaffairIhadinhand,IabruptlycalledtoBartleby.Inmyhasteandnaturalexpectancyofinstantcompliance,Isatwithmyheadbentovertheoriginalonmydesk,andmyrighthandsideways,andsomewhatnervouslyextendedwith

thecopy,sothatimmediatelyuponemergingfromhisretreat,Bartlebymightsnatchitandproceedtobusinesswithouttheleastdelay.

InthisveryattitudedidIsitwhenIcalledtohim,rapidlystatingwhatitwasIwantedhimtodo--namely,toexamineasmallpaperwithme.Imaginemysurprise,nay,myconsternation,whenwithoutmovingfromhisprivacy,Bartlebyinasingularlymild,firmvoice,replied,"Iwouldprefernotto."

Isatawhileinperfectsilence,rallyingmystunnedfaculties.Immediatelyitoccurredtomethatmyearshaddeceivedme,orBartlebyhadentirelymisunderstoodmymeaning.IrepeatedmyrequestintheclearesttoneIcouldassume.Butinquiteasclearaonecamethe

previousreply,"Iwouldprefernotto."

"Prefernotto,"echoedI,risinginhighexcitement,andcrossingtheroomwithastride."Whatdoyoumean?Areyoumoon-struck?Iwantyoutohelpmecomparethissheethere--takeit,"andIthrustittowardshim.

"Iwouldprefernotto,"saidhe.

Ilookedathimsteadfastly.Hisfacewasleanlycomposed;hisgrayeye


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dimlycalm.Notawrinkleofagitationrippledhim.Hadtherebeentheleastuneasiness,anger,impatienceorimpertinenceinhismanner;inotherwords,hadtherebeenanythingordinarilyhumanabouthim,doubtlessIshouldhaveviolentlydismissedhimfromthepremises.Butasitwas,Ishouldhaveassoonthoughtofturningmypaleplaster-of-parisbustofCicerooutofdoors.Istoodgazingathimawhile,ashewentonwithhisownwriting,andthenreseatedmyselfatmydesk.Thisisverystrange,thoughtI.Whathadonebestdo?Butmybusinesshurriedme.Iconcludedtoforgetthematterforthepresent,reservingitformyfutureleisure.SocallingNippersfromtheotherroom,thepaperwasspeedilyexamined.

Afewdaysafterthis,Bartlebyconcludedfourlengthydocuments,beingquadruplicatesofaweek'stestimonytakenbeforemeinmyHighCourtofChancery.Itbecamenecessarytoexaminethem.Itwasanimportantsuit,andgreataccuracywasimperative.HavingallthingsarrangedIcalledTurkey,NippersandGingerNutfromthenextroom,meaningtoplacethefourcopiesinthehandsofmyfourclerks,whileIshouldreadfromtheoriginal.AccordinglyTurkey,NippersandGingerNuthadtakentheirseatsinarow,eachwithhisdocumentinhand,whenIcalledtoBartlebytojointhisinterestinggroup.

"Bartleby!quick,Iamwaiting."

Iheardaslowscrapeofhischairlegsontheuncarpetedfloor,andsoonheappearedstandingattheentranceofhishermitage.

"Whatiswanted?"saidhemildly.

"Thecopies,thecopies,"saidIhurriedly."Wearegoingtoexaminethem.There"--andIheldtowardshimthefourthquadruplicate.

"Iwouldprefernotto,"hesaid,andgentlydisappearedbehindthescreen.

ForafewmomentsIwasturnedintoapillarofsalt,standingattheheadofmyseatedcolumnofclerks.Recoveringmyself,Iadvanced

towardsthescreen,anddemandedthereasonforsuchextraordinaryconduct.

"_Why_doyourefuse?"

"Iwouldprefernotto."

WithanyothermanIshouldhaveflownoutrightintoadreadfulpassion,scornedallfurtherwords,andthrusthimignominiouslyfrommypresence.ButtherewassomethingaboutBartlebythatnotonlystrangelydisarmedme,butinawonderfulmannertouchedanddisconcertedme.Ibegantoreasonwithhim.

"Theseareyourowncopiesweareabouttoexamine.Itislaborsavingtoyou,becauseoneexaminationwillanswerforyourfourpapers.Itiscommonusage.Everycopyistisboundtohelpexaminehiscopy.Isitnotso?Willyounotspeak?Answer!"

"Iprefernotto,"herepliedinaflute-liketone.ItseemedtomethatwhileIhadbeenaddressinghim,hecarefullyrevolvedeverystatementthatImade;fullycomprehendedthemeaning;couldnotgainsaytheirresistibleconclusions;but,atthesametime,someparamountconsiderationprevailedwithhimtoreplyashedid.


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"Youaredecided,then,nottocomplywithmyrequest--arequestmadeaccordingtocommonusageandcommonsense?"

Hebrieflygavemetounderstandthatonthatpointmyjudgmentwassound.Yes:hisdecisionwasirreversible.

Itisnotseldomthecasethatwhenamanisbrowbeateninsomeunprecedentedandviolentlyunreasonableway,hebeginstostaggerinhisownplainestfaith.Hebegins,asitwere,vaguelytosurmisethat,wonderfulasitmaybe,allthejusticeandallthereasonisontheotherside.Accordingly,ifanydisinterestedpersonsarepresent,heturnstothemforsomereinforcementforhisownfalteringmind.

"Turkey,"saidI,"whatdoyouthinkofthis?AmInotright?"

"Withsubmission,sir,"saidTurkey,withhisblandesttone,"Ithinkthatyouare."

"Nippers,"saidI,"whatdo_you_thinkofit?"

"IthinkIshouldkickhimoutoftheoffice."

(Thereaderofniceperceptionswillhereperceivethat,itbeing

morning,Turkey'sansweriscouchedinpoliteandtranquilterms,butNippersrepliesinill-temperedones.Or,torepeataprevioussentence,Nippers'uglymoodwasondutyandTurkey'soff.)

"GingerNut,"saidI,willingtoenlistthesmallestsuffrageinmybehalf,"whatdoyouthinkofit?"

"Ithink,sir,he'salittle_luny_,"repliedGingerNutwithagrin.

"Youhearwhattheysay,"saidI,turningtowardsthescreen,"comeforthanddoyourduty."

Buthevouchsafednoreply.Iponderedamomentinsoreperplexity.

Butoncemorebusinesshurriedme.Ideterminedagaintopostponetheconsiderationofthisdilemmatomyfutureleisure.WithalittletroublewemadeouttoexaminethepaperswithoutBartleby,thoughateverypageortwo,Turkeydeferentiallydroppedhisopinionthatthisproceedingwasquiteoutofthecommon;whileNippers,twitchinginhischairwithadyspepticnervousness,groundoutbetweenhissetteethoccasionalhissingmaledictionsagainstthestubbornoafbehindthescreen.Andforhis(Nippers')part,thiswasthefirstandthelasttimehewoulddoanotherman'sbusinesswithoutpay.

MeanwhileBartlebysatinhishermitage,oblivioustoeverythingbuthisownpeculiarbusinessthere.

Somedayspassed,thescrivenerbeingemployeduponanotherlengthywork.Hislateremarkableconductledmetoregardhiswaysnarrowly.Iobservedthatheneverwenttodinner;indeedthatheneverwentanywhere.AsyetIhadneverofmypersonalknowledgeknownhimtobeoutsideofmyoffice.Hewasaperpetualsentryinthecorner.Atabouteleveno'clockthough,inthemorning,InoticedthatGingerNutwouldadvancetowardtheopeninginBartleby'sscreen,asifsilentlybeckonedthitherbyagestureinvisibletomewhereIsat.Theboywouldthenleavetheofficejinglingafewpence,andreappearwithahandfulofginger-nutswhichhedeliveredinthehermitage,receiving


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twoofthecakesforhistrouble.

Helives,then,onginger-nuts,thoughtI;nevereatsadinner,properlyspeaking;hemustbeavegetarianthen;butno;henevereatsevenvegetables,heeatsnothingbutginger-nuts.Mymindthenranoninreveriesconcerningtheprobableeffectsuponthehumanconstitutionoflivingentirelyonginger-nuts.Ginger-nutsaresocalledbecausetheycontaingingerasoneoftheirpeculiarconstituents,andthefinalflavoringone.Nowwhatwasginger?Ahot,spicything.WasBartlebyhotandspicy?Notatall.Ginger,then,hadnoeffectuponBartleby.Probablyhepreferreditshouldhavenone.

Nothingsoaggravatesanearnestpersonasapassiveresistance.Iftheindividualsoresistedbeofanotinhumanetemper,andtheresistingoneperfectlyharmlessinhispassivity;then,inthebettermoodsoftheformer,hewillendeavorcharitablytoconstruetohisimaginationwhatprovesimpossibletobesolvedbyhisjudgment.Evenso,forthemostpart,IregardedBartlebyandhisways.Poorfellow!thoughtI,hemeansnomischief;itisplainheintendsnoinsolence;hisaspectsufficientlyevincesthathiseccentricitiesareinvoluntary.Heisusefultome.Icangetalongwithhim.IfIturnhimaway,thechancesarehewillfallinwithsomelessindulgentemployer,andthenhewillberudelytreated,andperhapsdrivenforthmiserablytostarve.Yes.HereIcancheaplypurchaseadeliciousself-approval.To

befriendBartleby;tohumorhiminhisstrangewillfulness,willcostmelittleornothing,whileIlayupinmysoulwhatwilleventuallyproveasweetmorselformyconscience.Butthismoodwasnotinvariablewithme.ThepassivenessofBartlebysometimesirritatedme.Ifeltstrangelygoadedontoencounterhiminnewopposition,toelicitsomeangrysparkfromhimanswerabletomyown.ButindeedImightaswellhaveessayedtostrikefirewithmyknucklesagainstabitofWindsorsoap.Butoneafternoontheevilimpulseinmemasteredme,andthefollowinglittlesceneensued:

"Bartleby,"saidI,"whenthosepapersareallcopied,Iwillcomparethemwithyou."


"How?Surelyyoudonotmeantopersistinthatmulishvagary?"

Noanswer.

Ithrewopenthefolding-doorsnearby,andturninguponTurkeyandNippers,exclaimedinanexcitedmanner--

"Hesays,asecondtime,hewon'texaminehispapers.Whatdoyouthinkofit,Turkey?"

Itwasafternoon,beitremembered.Turkeysatglowinglikeabrass

boiler,hisbaldheadsteaming,hishandsreelingamonghisblottedpapers.

"Thinkofit?"roaredTurkey;"IthinkI'lljuststepbehindhisscreen,andblackhiseyesforhim!"

Sosaying,Turkeyrosetohisfeetandthrewhisarmsintoapugilisticposition.Hewashurryingawaytomakegoodhispromise,whenIdetainedhim,alarmedattheeffectofincautiouslyrousingTurkey'scombativenessafterdinner.


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"Sitdown,Turkey,"saidI,"andhearwhatNippershastosay.Whatdoyouthinkofit,Nippers?WouldInotbejustifiedinimmediatelydismissingBartleby?"

"Excuseme,thatisforyoutodecide,sir.Ithinkhisconductquiteunusual,andindeedunjust,asregardsTurkeyandmyself.Butitmayonlybeapassingwhim."

"Ah,"exclaimedI,"youhavestrangelychangedyourmindthen--youspeakverygentlyofhimnow."

"Allbeer,"criedTurkey;"gentlenessiseffectsofbeer--NippersandIdinedtogetherto-day.Youseehowgentle_I_am,sir.ShallIgoandblackhiseyes?"

"YourefertoBartleby,Isuppose.No,notto-day,Turkey,"Ireplied;"pray,putupyourfists."

Iclosedthedoors,andagainadvancedtowardsBartleby.Ifeltadditionalincentivestemptingmetomyfate.Iburnedtoberebelledagainstagain.IrememberedthatBartlebyneverlefttheoffice.

"Bartleby,"saidI,"GingerNutisaway;juststeproundtothePost

Office,won'tyou?(itwasbutathreeminutewalk,)andseeifthereisanythingforme."


"You_will_not?"

"I_prefer_not."

Istaggeredtomydesk,andsatthereinadeepstudy.Myblindinveteracyreturned.WasthereanyotherthinginwhichIcouldprocuremyselftobeignominiouslyrepulsedbythislean,pennilesswight?--myhiredclerk?Whataddedthingisthere,perfectlyreasonable,thathe

willbesuretorefusetodo?

"Bartleby!"

Noanswer.

"Bartleby,"inaloudertone.

Noanswer.

"Bartleby,"Iroared.

Likeaveryghost,agreeablytothelawsofmagicalinvocation,atthe

thirdsummons,heappearedattheentranceofhishermitage.

"Gotothenextroom,andtellNipperstocometome."

"Iprefernotto,"herespectfullyandslowlysaid,andmildlydisappeared.

"Verygood,Bartleby,"saidI,inaquietsortofserenelysevereself-possessedtone,intimatingtheunalterablepurposeofsometerribleretributionverycloseathand.AtthemomentIhalfintendedsomething


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ofthekind.Butuponthewhole,asitwasdrawingtowardsmydinner-hour,Ithoughtitbesttoputonmyhatandwalkhomefortheday,sufferingmuchfromperplexityanddistressofmind.

ShallIacknowledgeit?Theconclusionofthiswholebusinesswas,thatitsoonbecameafixedfactofmychambers,thatapaleyoungscrivener,bythenameofBartleby,andadeskthere;thathecopiedformeattheusualrateoffourcentsafolio(onehundredwords);buthewaspermanentlyexemptfromexaminingtheworkdonebyhim,thatdutybeingtransferredtoTurkeyandNippers,oneofcomplimentdoubtlesstotheirsuperioracuteness;moreover,saidBartlebywasneveronanyaccounttobedispatchedonthemosttrivialerrandofanysort;andthatevenifentreatedtotakeuponhimsuchamatter,itwasgenerallyunderstoodthathewouldprefernotto--inotherwords,thathewouldrefusepointblank.

Asdayspassedon,IbecameconsiderablyreconciledtoBartleby.Hissteadiness,hisfreedomfromalldissipation,hisincessantindustry(exceptwhenhechosetothrowhimselfintoastandingreverybehindhisscreen),hisgreat,stillness,hisunalterablenessofdemeanorunderallcircumstances,madehimavaluableacquisition.Oneprimethingwasthis,--_hewasalwaysthere;_--firstinthemorning,continuallythroughtheday,andthelastatnight.Ihadasingularconfidenceinhishonesty.Ifeltmymostpreciouspapersperfectlysafeinhis

hands.SometimestobesureIcouldnot,fortheverysoulofme,avoidfallingintosuddenspasmodicpassionswithhim.Foritwasexceedingdifficulttobearinmindallthetimethosestrangepeculiarities,privileges,andunheardofexemptions,formingthetacitstipulationsonBartleby'spartunderwhichheremainedinmyoffice.Nowandthen,intheeagernessofdispatchingpressingbusiness,IwouldinadvertentlysummonBartleby,inashort,rapidtone,toputhisfinger,say,ontheincipienttieofabitofredtapewithwhichIwasaboutcompressingsomepapers.Ofcourse,frombehindthescreentheusualanswer,"Iprefernotto,"wassuretocome;andthen,howcouldahumancreaturewiththecommoninfirmitiesofournature,refrainfrombitterlyexclaiminguponsuchperverseness--suchunreasonableness.However,everyaddedrepulseofthissortwhichIreceivedonlytendedtolessen

theprobabilityofmyrepeatingtheinadvertence.

Hereitmustbesaid,thataccordingtothecustomofmostlegalgentlemenoccupyingchambersindensely-populatedlawbuildings,therewereseveralkeystomydoor.Onewaskeptbyawomanresidingintheattic,whichpersonweeklyscrubbedanddailysweptanddustedmyapartments.AnotherwaskeptbyTurkeyforconveniencesake.ThethirdIsometimescarriedinmyownpocket.ThefourthIknewnotwhohad.

Now,oneSundaymorningIhappenedtogotoTrinityChurch,tohearacelebratedpreacher,andfindingmyselfratherearlyontheground,IthoughtIwouldwalkaroundtomychambersforawhile.LuckilyIhadmykeywithme;butuponapplyingittothelock,Ifounditresistedby

somethinginsertedfromtheinside.Quitesurprised,Icalledout;whentomyconsternationakeywasturnedfromwithin;andthrustinghisleanvisageatme,andholdingthedoorajar,theapparitionofBartlebyappeared,inhisshirtsleeves,andotherwiseinastrangelytattereddishabille,sayingquietlythathewassorry,buthewasdeeplyengagedjustthen,and--preferrednotadmittingmeatpresent.Inabriefwordortwo,hemoreoveradded,thatperhapsIhadbetterwalkroundtheblocktwoorthreetimes,andbythattimehewouldprobablyhaveconcludedhisaffairs.


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Now,theutterlyunsurmisedappearanceofBartleby,tenantingmylaw-chambersofaSundaymorning,withhiscadaverouslygentlemanly_nonchalance_,yetwithalfirmandself-possessed,hadsuchastrangeeffectuponme,thatincontinentlyIslunkawayfrommyowndoor,anddidasdesired.Butnotwithoutsundrytwingesofimpotentrebellionagainstthemildeffronteryofthisunaccountablescrivener.Indeed,itwashiswonderfulmildnesschiefly,whichnotonlydisarmedme,butunmannedme,asitwere.ForIconsiderthatone,forthetime,isasortofunmannedwhenhetranquillypermitshishiredclerktodictatetohim,andorderhimawayfromhisownpremises.Furthermore,IwasfullofuneasinessastowhatBartlebycouldpossiblybedoinginmyofficeinhisshirtsleeves,andinanotherwisedismantledconditionofaSundaymorning.Wasanythingamissgoingon?Nay,thatwasoutofthequestion.ItwasnottobethoughtofforamomentthatBartlebywasanimmoralperson.Butwhatcouldhebedoingthere?--copying?Nayagain,whatevermightbehiseccentricities,Bartlebywasaneminentlydecorousperson.Hewouldbethelastmantositdowntohisdeskinanystateapproachingtonudity.Besides,itwasSunday;andtherewassomethingaboutBartlebythatforbadethesuppositionthathewouldbyanysecularoccupationviolatetheproprietiesoftheday.

Nevertheless,mymindwasnotpacified;andfullofarestlesscuriosity,atlastIreturnedtothedoor.WithouthindranceIinsertedmykey,openedit,andentered.Bartlebywasnottobeseen.Ilooked

roundanxiously,peepedbehindhisscreen;butitwasveryplainthathewasgone.Uponmorecloselyexaminingtheplace,IsurmisedthatforanindefiniteperiodBartlebymusthaveate,dressed,andsleptinmyoffice,andthattoowithoutplate,mirror,orbed.Thecushionedseatofaricketyoldsofainonecornerborethefaintimpressofalean,recliningform.Rolledawayunderhisdesk,Ifoundablanket;undertheemptygrate,ablackingboxandbrush;onachair,atinbasin,withsoapandaraggedtowel;inanewspaperafewcrumbsofginger-nutsandamorselofcheese.Yes,thoughtI,itisevidentenoughthatBartlebyhasbeenmakinghishomehere,keepingbachelor'shallallbyhimself.Immediatelythenthethoughtcamesweepingacrossme,Whatmiserablefriendlessnessandlonelinessarehererevealed!Hispovertyisgreat;buthissolitude,howhorrible!Thinkofit.OfaSunday,Wall-street

isdesertedasPetra;andeverynightofeverydayitisanemptiness.Thisbuildingtoo,whichofweek-dayshumswithindustryandlife,atnightfallechoeswithsheervacancy,andallthroughSundayisforlorn.AndhereBartlebymakeshishome;solespectatorofasolitudewhichhehasseenallpopulous--asortofinnocentandtransformedMariusbroodingamongtheruinsofCarthage!

Forthefirsttimeinmylifeafeelingofoverpoweringstingingmelancholyseizedme.Before,Ihadneverexperiencedaughtbutanot-unpleasingsadness.Thebondofacommonhumanitynowdrewmeirresistiblytogloom.Afraternalmelancholy!ForbothIandBartlebyweresonsofAdam.IrememberedthebrightsilksandsparklingfacesIhadseenthatday,ingalatrim,swan-likesailingdowntheMississippi

ofBroadway;andIcontrastedthemwiththepallidcopyist,andthoughttomyself,Ah,happinesscourtsthelight,sowedeemtheworldisgay;butmiseryhidesaloof,sowedeemthatmiserythereisnone.Thesesadfancyings--chimeras,doubtless,ofasickandsillybrain--ledontootherandmorespecialthoughts,concerningtheeccentricitiesofBartleby.Presentimentsofstrangediscoverieshoveredroundme.Thescrivener'spaleformappearedtomelaidout,amonguncaringstrangers,initsshiveringwindingsheet.

SuddenlyIwasattractedbyBartleby'scloseddesk,thekeyinopen


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sightleftinthelock.

Imeannomischief,seekthegratificationofnoheartlesscuriosity,thoughtI;besides,thedeskismine,anditscontentstoo,soIwillmakeboldtolookwithin.Everythingwasmethodicallyarranged,thepaperssmoothlyplaced.Thepigeonholesweredeep,andremovingthefilesofdocuments,Igropedintotheirrecesses.PresentlyIfeltsomethingthere,anddraggeditout.Itwasanoldbandannahandkerchief,heavyandknotted.Iopenedit,andsawitwasasavings'bank.

InowrecalledallthequietmysterieswhichIhadnotedintheman.Irememberedthatheneverspokebuttoanswer;thatthoughatintervalshehadconsiderabletimetohimself,yetIhadneverseenhimreading--no,notevenanewspaper;thatforlongperiodshewouldstandlookingout,athispalewindowbehindthescreen,uponthedeadbrickwall;Iwasquitesurehenevervisitedanyrefectoryoreatinghouse;whilehispalefaceclearlyindicatedthatheneverdrankbeerlikeTurkey,orteaandcoffeeeven,likeothermen;thatheneverwentanywhereinparticularthatIcouldlearn;neverwentoutforawalk,unlessindeedthatwasthecaseatpresent;thathehaddeclinedtellingwhohewas,orwhencehecame,orwhetherhehadanyrelativesintheworld;thatthoughsothinandpale,henevercomplainedofillhealth.Andmorethanall,Irememberedacertainunconsciousairofpallid--how

shallIcallit?--ofpallidhaughtiness,say,orratheranausterereserveabouthim,whichhadpositivelyawedmeintomytamecompliancewithhiseccentricities,whenIhadfearedtoaskhimtodotheslightestincidentalthingforme,eventhoughImightknow,fromhislong-continuedmotionlessness,thatbehindhisscreenhemustbestandinginoneofthosedead-wallreveriesofhis.

Revolvingallthesethings,andcouplingthemwiththerecentlydiscoveredfactthathemademyofficehisconstantabidingplaceandhome,andnotforgetfulofhismorbidmoodiness;revolvingallthesethings,aprudentialfeelingbegantostealoverme.Myfirstemotionshadbeenthoseofpuremelancholyandsincerestpity;butjustinproportionastheforlornnessofBartlebygrewandgrewtomy

imagination,didthatsamemelancholymergeintofear,thatpityintorepulsion.Sotrueitis,andsoterribletoo,thatuptoacertainpointthethoughtorsightofmiseryenlistsourbestaffections;but,incertainspecialcases,beyondthatpointitdoesnot.Theyerrwhowouldassertthatinvariablythisisowingtotheinherentselfishnessofthehumanheart.Itratherproceedsfromacertainhopelessnessofremedyingexcessiveandorganicill.Toasensitivebeing,pityisnotseldompain.Andwhenatlastitisperceivedthatsuchpitycannotleadtoeffectualsuccor,commonsensebidsthesoulridofit.WhatIsawthatmorningpersuadedmethatthescrivenerwasthevictimofinnateandincurabledisorder.Imightgivealmstohisbody;buthisbodydidnotpainhim;itwashissoulthatsuffered,andhissoulIcouldnotreach.

IdidnotaccomplishthepurposeofgoingtoTrinityChurchthatmorning.Somehow,thethingsIhadseendisqualifiedmeforthetimefromchurch-going.Iwalkedhomeward,thinkingwhatIwoulddowithBartleby.Finally,Iresolveduponthis;--Iwouldputcertaincalmquestionstohimthenextmorning,touchinghishistory,etc.,andifhedeclinedtoanswerthemopenlyandunreservedly(andIsupposedhewouldprefernot),thentogivehimatwentydollarbilloverandabovewhateverImightowehim,andtellhimhisserviceswerenolongerrequired;butthatifinanyotherwayIcouldassisthim,Iwouldbe


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happytodoso,especiallyifhedesiredtoreturntohisnativeplace,whereverthatmightbe,Iwouldwillinglyhelptodefraytheexpenses.Moreover,if,afterreachinghome,hefoundhimselfatanytimeinwantofaid,aletterfromhimwouldbesureofareply.

Thenextmorningcame.

"Bartleby,"saidI,gentlycallingtohimbehindhisscreen.

Noreply.

"Bartleby,"saidI,inastillgentlertone,"comehere;Iamnotgoingtoaskyoutodoanythingyouwouldprefernottodo--Isimplywishtospeaktoyou."

Uponthishenoiselesslyslidintoview.

"Willyoutellme,Bartleby,whereyouwereborn?"


"Willyoutellme_anything_aboutyourself?"


"Butwhatreasonableobjectioncanyouhavetospeaktome?Ifeelfriendlytowardsyou."

HedidnotlookatmewhileIspoke,butkepthisglancefixeduponmybustofCicero,whichasIthensat,wasdirectlybehindme,somesixinchesabovemyhead.

"Whatisyouranswer,Bartleby?"saidI,afterwaitingaconsiderabletimeforareply,duringwhichhiscountenanceremainedimmovable,onlytherewasthefaintestconceivabletremorofthewhiteattenuatedmouth.

"AtpresentIprefertogivenoanswer,"hesaid,andretiredintohis

hermitage.

ItwasratherweakinmeIconfess,buthismanneronthisoccasionnettledme.Notonlydidthereseemtolurkinitacertaincalmdisdain,buthisperversenessseemedungrateful,consideringtheundeniablegoodusageandindulgencehehadreceivedfromme.

AgainIsatruminatingwhatIshoulddo.MortifiedasIwasathisbehavior,andresolvedasIhadbeentodismisshimwhenIenteredmyoffices,neverthelessIstrangelyfeltsomethingsuperstitiousknockingatmyheart,andforbiddingmetocarryoutmypurpose,anddenouncingmeforavillainifIdaredtobreatheonebitterwordagainstthisforlornestofmankind.Atlast,familiarlydrawingmychairbehindhis

screen,Isatdownandsaid:"Bartleby,nevermindthenaboutrevealingyourhistory;butletmeentreatyou,asafriend,tocomplyasfarasmaybewiththeusagesofthisoffice.Saynowyouwillhelptoexaminepapersto-morrowornextday:inshort,saynowthatinadayortwoyouwillbegintobealittlereasonable:--sayso,Bartleby."

"AtpresentIwouldprefernottobealittlereasonable,"washismildlycadaverousreply.

Justthenthefolding-doorsopened,andNippersapproached.Heseemed


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sufferingfromanunusuallybadnight'srest,inducedbysevererindigestionthencommon.HeoverheardthosefinalwordsofBartleby.

"_Prefernot_,eh?"grittedNippers--"I'd_prefer_him,ifIwereyou,sir,"addressingme--"I'd_prefer_him;I'dgivehimpreferences,thestubbornmule!Whatisit,sir,pray,thathe_prefers_nottodonow?"

Bartlebymovednotalimb.

"Mr.Nippers,"saidI,"I'dpreferthatyouwouldwithdrawforthepresent."

Somehow,oflateIhadgotintothewayofinvoluntarilyusingthisword"prefer"uponallsortsofnotexactlysuitableoccasions.AndItrembledtothinkthatmycontactwiththescrivenerhadalreadyandseriouslyaffectedmeinamentalway.Andwhatfurtheranddeeperaberrationmightitnotyetproduce?Thisapprehensionhadnotbeenwithoutefficacyindeterminingmetosummarymeans.

AsNippers,lookingverysourandsulky,wasdeparting,Turkeyblandlyanddeferentiallyapproached.

"Withsubmission,sir,"saidhe,"yesterdayIwasthinkingaboutBartlebyhere,andIthinkthatifhewouldbutprefertotakeaquart

ofgoodaleeveryday,itwoulddomuchtowardsmendinghim,andenablinghimtoassistinexamininghispapers."

"Soyouhavegotthewordtoo,"saidI,slightlyexcited.

"Withsubmission,whatword,sir,"askedTurkey,respectfullycrowdinghimselfintothecontractedspacebehindthescreen,andbysodoing,makingmejostlethescrivener."Whatword,sir?"

"Iwouldprefertobeleftalonehere,"saidBartleby,asifoffendedatbeingmobbedinhisprivacy.

"_That's_theword,Turkey,"saidI--"that'sit."

"Oh,_prefer_?ohyes--queerword.Ineveruseitmyself.But,sir,asIwassaying,ifhewouldbutprefer--"

"Turkey,"interruptedI,"youwillpleasewithdraw."

"Ohcertainly,sir,ifyoupreferthatIshould."

Asheopenedthefolding-doortoretire,Nippersathisdeskcaughtaglimpseofme,andaskedwhetherIwouldprefertohaveacertainpapercopiedonbluepaperorwhite.Hedidnotintheleastroguishlyaccentthewordprefer.Itwasplainthatitinvoluntarilyrolledformhistongue.Ithoughttomyself,surelyImustgetridofadementedman,

whoalreadyhasinsomedegreeturnedthetongues,ifnottheheadsofmyselfandclerks.ButIthoughtitprudentnottobreakthedismissionatonce.

ThenextdayInoticedthatBartlebydidnothingbutstandathiswindowinhisdead-wallrevery.Uponaskinghimwhyhedidnotwrite,hesaidthathehaddecidedupondoingnomorewriting.

"Why,hownow?whatnext?"exclaimedI,"donomorewriting?"


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"Nomore."

"Andwhatisthereason?"

"Doyounotseethereasonforyourself,"heindifferentlyreplied.

Ilookedsteadfastlyathim,andperceivedthathiseyeslookeddullandglazed.Instantlyitoccurredtome,thathisunexampleddiligenceincopyingbyhisdimwindowforthefirstfewweeksofhisstaywithmemighthavetemporarilyimpairedhisvision.

Iwastouched.Isaidsomethingincondolencewithhim.Ihintedthatofcoursehedidwiselyinabstainingfromwritingforawhile;andurgedhimtoembracethatopportunityoftakingwholesomeexerciseintheopenair.This,however,hedidnotdo.Afewdaysafterthis,myotherclerksbeingabsent,andbeinginagreathurrytodispatchcertainlettersbythemail,Ithoughtthat,havingnothingelseearthlytodo,Bartlebywouldsurelybelessinflexiblethanusual,andcarrytheseletterstothepost-office.Butheblanklydeclined.So,muchtomyinconvenience,Iwentmyself.

Stilladdeddayswentby.WhetherBartleby'seyesimprovedornot,Icouldnotsay.Toallappearance,Ithoughttheydid.ButwhenIaskedhimiftheydid,hevouchsafednoanswer.Atallevents,hewoulddono

copying.Atlast,inreplytomyurgings,heinformedmethathehadpermanentlygivenupcopying.

"What!"exclaimedI;"supposeyoureyesshouldgetentirelywell--betterthaneverbefore--wouldyounotcopythen?"

"Ihavegivenupcopying,"heanswered,andslidaside.

Heremainedasever,afixtureinmychamber.Nay--ifthatwerepossible--hebecamestillmoreofafixturethanbefore.Whatwastobedone?Hewoulddonothingintheoffice:whyshouldhestaythere?Inplainfact,hehadnowbecomeamillstonetome,notonlyuselessasanecklace,butafflictivetobear.YetIwassorryforhim.Ispeak

lessthantruthwhenIsaythat,onhisownaccount,heoccasionedmeuneasiness.Ifhewouldbuthavenamedasinglerelativeorfriend,Iwouldinstantlyhavewritten,andurgedtheirtakingthepoorfellowawaytosomeconvenientretreat.Butheseemedalone,absolutelyaloneintheuniverse.AbitofwreckinthemidAtlantic.Atlength,necessitiesconnectedwithmybusinesstyrannizedoverallotherconsiderations.DecentlyasIcould,ItoldBartlebythatinsixdays'timehemustunconditionallyleavetheoffice.Iwarnedhimtotakemeasures,intheinterval,forprocuringsomeotherabode.Iofferedtoassisthiminthisendeavor,ifhehimselfwouldbuttakethefirststeptowardsaremoval."Andwhenyoufinallyquitme,Bartleby,"addedI,"Ishallseethatyougonotawayentirelyunprovided.Sixdaysfromthishour,remember."

Attheexpirationofthatperiod,Ipeepedbehindthescreen,andlo!Bartlebywasthere.

Ibuttonedupmycoat,balancedmyself;advancedslowlytowardshim,touchedhisshoulder,andsaid,"Thetimehascome;youmustquitthisplace;Iamsorryforyou;hereismoney;butyoumustgo."

"Iwouldprefernot,"hereplied,withhisbackstilltowardsme.


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"You_must_."

Heremainedsilent.

NowIhadanunboundedconfidenceinthisman'scommonhonesty.Hehadfrequentlyrestoredtomesixpencesandshillingscarelesslydroppeduponthefloor,forIamapttobeveryrecklessinsuchshirt-buttonaffairs.Theproceedingthenwhichfollowedwillnotbedeemedextraordinary.

"Bartleby,"saidI,"Ioweyoutwelvedollarsonaccount;herearethirty-two;theoddtwentyareyours.--Willyoutakeit?"andIhandedthebillstowardshim.

Buthemadenomotion.

"Iwillleavethemherethen,"puttingthemunderaweightonthetable.ThentakingmyhatandcaneandgoingtothedoorItranquillyturnedandadded--"Afteryouhaveremovedyourthingsfromtheseoffices,Bartleby,youwillofcourselockthedoor--sinceeveryoneisnowgoneforthedaybutyou--andifyouplease,slipyourkeyunderneaththemat,sothatImayhaveitinthemorning.Ishallnotseeyouagain;sogood-byetoyou.IfhereafterinyournewplaceofabodeIcanbeofanyservicetoyou,donotfailtoadvisemebyletter.Good-bye,

Bartleby,andfareyouwell."

Butheanswerednotaword;likethelastcolumnofsomeruinedtemple,heremainedstandingmuteandsolitaryinthemiddleoftheotherwisedesertedroom.

AsIwalkedhomeinapensivemood,myvanitygotthebetterofmypity.IcouldnotbuthighlyplumemyselfonmymasterlymanagementingettingridofBartleby.MasterlyIcallit,andsuchitmustappeartoanydispassionatethinker.Thebeautyofmyprocedureseemedtoconsistinitsperfectquietness.Therewasnovulgarbullying,nobravadoofanysort,nocholerichectoring,andstridingtoandfroacrosstheapartment,jerkingoutvehementcommandsforBartlebytobundlehimself

offwithhisbeggarlytraps.Nothingofthekind.WithoutloudlybiddingBartlebydepart--asaninferiorgeniusmighthavedone--I_assumed_thegroundthatdeparthemust;anduponthatassumptionbuiltallIhadtosay.ThemoreIthoughtovermyprocedure,themoreIwascharmedwithit.Nevertheless,nextmorning,uponawakening,Ihadmydoubts,--Ihadsomehowsleptoffthefumesofvanity.Oneofthecoolestandwisesthoursamanhas,isjustafterheawakesinthemorning.Myprocedureseemedassagaciousasever.--butonlyintheory.Howitwouldproveinpractice--therewastherub.ItwastrulyabeautifulthoughttohaveassumedBartleby'sdeparture;but,afterall,thatassumptionwassimplymyown,andnoneofBartleby's.Thegreatpointwas,notwhetherIhadassumedthathewouldquitme,butwhetherhewouldprefersotodo.Hewasmoreamanofpreferencesthan

assumptions.

Afterbreakfast,Iwalkeddowntown,arguingtheprobabilities_pro_and_con_.OnemomentIthoughtitwouldproveamiserablefailure,andBartlebywouldbefoundallaliveatmyofficeasusual;thenextmomentitseemedcertainthatIshouldseehischairempty.AndsoIkeptveeringabout.AtthecornerofBroadwayandCanal-street,Isawquiteanexcitedgroupofpeoplestandinginearnestconversation.

"I'lltakeoddshedoesn't,"saidavoiceasIpassed.


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"Doesn'tgo?--done!"saidI,"putupyourmoney."

Iwasinstinctivelyputtingmyhandinmypockettoproducemyown,whenIrememberedthatthiswasanelectionday.ThewordsIhadoverheardborenoreferencetoBartleby,buttothesuccessornon-successofsomecandidateforthemayoralty.Inmyintentframeofmind,Ihad,asitwere,imaginedthatallBroadwaysharedinmyexcitement,andweredebatingthesamequestionwithme.Ipassedon,verythankfulthattheuproarofthestreetscreenedmymomentaryabsent-mindedness.

AsIhadintended,Iwasearlierthanusualatmyofficedoor.Istoodlisteningforamoment.Allwasstill.Hemustbegone.Itriedtheknob.Thedoorwaslocked.Yes,myprocedurehadworkedtoacharm;heindeedmustbevanished.Yetacertainmelancholymixedwiththis:Iwasalmostsorryformybrilliantsuccess.Iwasfumblingunderthedoormatforthekey,whichBartlebywastohaveleftthereforme,whenaccidentallymykneeknockedagainstapanel,producingasummoningsound,andinresponseavoicecametomefromwithin--"Notyet;Iamoccupied."

ItwasBartleby.

Iwasthunderstruck.ForaninstantIstoodlikethemanwho,pipein

mouth,waskilledonecloudlessafternoonlongagoinVirginia,byasummerlightning;athisownwarmopenwindowhewaskilled,andremainedleaningoutthereuponthedreamyafternoon,tillsomeonetouchedhim,whenhefell.

"Notgone!"Imurmuredatlast.Butagainobeyingthatwondrousascendancywhichtheinscrutablescrivenerhadoverme,andfromwhichascendancy,forallmychafing,Icouldnotcompletelyescape,Islowlywentdownstairsandoutintothestreet,andwhilewalkingroundtheblock,consideredwhatIshouldnextdointhisunheard-ofperplexity.TurnthemanoutbyanactualthrustingIcouldnot;todrivehimawaybycallinghimhardnameswouldnotdo;callinginthepolicewasanunpleasantidea;andyet,permithimtoenjoyhiscadaveroustriumph

overme,--thistooIcouldnotthinkof.Whatwastobedone?or,ifnothingcouldbedone,wasthereanythingfurtherthatIcould_assume_inthematter?Yes,asbeforeIhadprospectivelyassumedthatBartlebywoulddepart,sonowImightretrospectivelyassumethatdepartedhewas.Inthelegitimatecarryingoutofthisassumption,Imightentermyofficeinagreathurry,andpretendingnottoseeBartlebyatall,walkstraightagainsthimasifhewereair.Suchaproceedingwouldinasingulardegreehavetheappearanceofahome-thrust.ItwashardlypossiblethatBartlebycouldwithstandsuchanapplicationofthedoctrineofassumptions.Butuponsecondthoughtsthesuccessoftheplanseemedratherdubious.Iresolvedtoarguethematteroverwithhimagain.

"Bartleby,"saidI,enteringtheoffice,withaquietlysevereexpression,"Iamseriouslydispleased.Iampained,Bartleby.Ihadthoughtbetterofyou.Ihadimaginedyouofsuchagentlemanlyorganization,thatinanydelicatedilemmaaslighthintwouldhavesuffice--inshort,anassumption.ButitappearsIamdeceived.Why,"Iadded,unaffectedlystarting,"youhavenoteventouchedthatmoneyyet,"pointingtoit,justwhereIhadleftittheeveningprevious.

Heanswerednothing.


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"Willyou,orwillyounot,quitme?"Inowdemandedinasuddenpassion,advancingclosetohim.

"Iwouldprefer_not_toquityou,"hereplied,gentlyemphasizingthe_not_.

"Whatearthlyrighthaveyoutostayhere?Doyoupayanyrent?Doyoupaymytaxes?Oristhispropertyyours?"

Heanswerednothing.

"Areyoureadytogoonandwritenow?Areyoureyesrecovered?Couldyoucopyasmallpaperformethismorning?orhelpexamineafewlines?orsteproundtothepost-office?Inaword,willyoudoanythingatall,togiveacoloringtoyourrefusaltodepartthepremises?"

Hesilentlyretiredintohishermitage.

IwasnowinsuchastateofnervousresentmentthatIthoughtitbutprudenttocheckmyselfatpresentfromfurtherdemonstrations.BartlebyandIwerealone.IrememberedthetragedyoftheunfortunateAdamsandthestillmoreunfortunateColtinthesolitaryofficeofthelatter;andhowpoorColt,beingdreadfullyincensedbyAdams,andimprudentlypermittinghimselftogetwildlyexcited,wasatunawares

hurriedintohisfatalact--anactwhichcertainlynomancouldpossiblydeploremorethantheactorhimself.Oftenithadoccurredtomeinmyponderingsuponthesubject,thathadthataltercationtakenplaceinthepublicstreet,orataprivateresidence,itwouldnothaveterminatedasitdid.Itwasthecircumstanceofbeingaloneinasolitaryoffice,upstairs,ofabuildingentirelyunhallowedbyhumanizingdomesticassociations--anuncarpetedoffice,doubtless,ofadusty,haggardsortofappearance;--thisitmusthavebeen,whichgreatlyhelpedtoenhancetheirritabledesperationofthehaplessColt.

ButwhenthisoldAdamofresentmentroseinmeandtemptedmeconcerningBartleby,Igrappledhimandthrewhim.How?Why,simplybyrecallingthedivineinjunction:"AnewcommandmentgiveIuntoyou,

thatyeloveoneanother."Yes,thisitwasthatsavedme.Asidefromhigherconsiderations,charityoftenoperatesasavastlywiseandprudentprinciple--agreatsafeguardtoitspossessor.Menhavecommittedmurderforjealousy'ssake,andanger'ssake,andhatred'ssake,andselfishness'sake,andspiritualpride'ssake;butnomanthateverIheardof,evercommittedadiabolicalmurderforsweetcharity'ssake.Mereself-interest,then,ifnobettermotivecanbeenlisted,should,especiallywithhigh-temperedmen,promptallbeingstocharityandphilanthropy.Atanyrate,upontheoccasioninquestion,Istrovetodrownmyexasperatedfeelingstowardsthescrivenerbybenevolentlyconstruinghisconduct.Poorfellow,poorfellow!thoughtI,hedon'tmeananything;andbesides,hehasseenhardtimes,andoughttobeindulged.

Iendeavoredalsoimmediatelytooccupymyself,andatthesametimetocomfortmydespondency.Itriedtofancythatinthecourseofthemorning,atsuchtimeasmightproveagreeabletohim.Bartleby,ofhisownfreeaccord,wouldemergefromhishermitage,andtakeupsomedecidedlineofmarchinthedirectionofthedoor.Butno.Half-pasttwelveo'clockcame;Turkeybegantoglowintheface,overturnhisinkstand,andbecomegenerallyobstreperous;Nippersabateddownintoquietudeandcourtesy;GingerNutmunchedhisnoonapple;andBartlebyremainedstandingathiswindowinoneofhisprofoundestdead-wall


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reveries.Willitbecredited?OughtItoacknowledgeit?ThatafternoonIlefttheofficewithoutsayingonefurtherwordtohim.

Somedaysnowpassed,duringwhich,atleisureintervalsIlookedalittleinto"EdwardsontheWill,"and"PriestlyonNecessity."Underthecircumstances,thosebooksinducedasalutaryfeeling.GraduallyIslidintothepersuasionthatthesetroublesofminetouchingthescrivener,hadbeenallpredestinatedfrometernity,andBartlebywasbilleteduponmeforsomemysteriouspurposeofanall-wiseProvidence,whichitwasnotforameremortallikemetofathom.Yes,Bartleby,staytherebehindyourscreen,thoughtI;Ishallpersecuteyounomore;youareharmlessandnoiselessasanyoftheseoldchairs;inshort,IneverfeelsoprivateaswhenIknowyouarehere.AtlastIseeit,Ifeelit;Ipenetratetothepredestinatedpurposeofmylife.Iamcontent.Othersmayhaveloftierpartstoenact;butmymissioninthisworld,Bartleby,istofurnishyouwithoffice-roomforsuchperiodasyoumayseefittoremain.

Ibelievethatthiswiseandblessedframeofmindwouldhavecontinuedwithme,haditnotbeenfortheunsolicitedanduncharitableremarksobtrudeduponmebymyprofessionalfriendswhovisitedtherooms.Butthusitoftenis,thattheconstantfrictionofilliberalmindswearsoutatlastthebestresolvesofthemoregenerous.Thoughtobesure,whenIreflecteduponit,itwasnotstrangethatpeopleenteringmy

officeshouldbestruckbythepeculiaraspectoftheunaccountableBartleby,andsobetemptedtothrowoutsomesinisterobservationsconcerninghim.Sometimesanattorneyhavingbusinesswithme,andcallingatmyofficeandfindingnoonebutthescrivenerthere,wouldundertaketoobtainsomesortofpreciseinformationfromhimtouchingmywhereabouts;butwithoutheedinghisidletalk,Bartlebywouldremainstandingimmovableinthemiddleoftheroom.Soaftercontemplatinghiminthatpositionforatime,theattorneywoulddepart,nowiserthanhecame.

Also,whenaReferencewasgoingon,andtheroomfulloflawyersandwitnessesandbusinesswasdrivingfast;somedeeplyoccupiedlegalgentlemanpresent,seeingBartlebywhollyunemployed,wouldrequesthim

torunroundtohis(thelegalgentleman's)officeandfetchsomepapersforhim.Thereupon,Bartlebywouldtranquillydecline,andyetremainidleasbefore.Thenthelawyerwouldgiveagreatstare,andturntome.AndwhatcouldIsay?AtlastIwasmadeawarethatallthroughthecircleofmyprofessionalacquaintance,awhisperofwonderwasrunninground,havingreferencetothestrangecreatureIkeptatmyoffice.Thisworriedmeverymuch.Andastheideacameuponmeofhispossiblyturningoutalong-livedman,andkeepoccupyingmychambers,anddenyingmyauthority;andperplexingmyvisitors;andscandalizingmyprofessionalreputation;andcastingageneralgloomoverthepremises;keepingsoulandbodytogethertothelastuponhissavings(fordoubtlesshespentbuthalfadimeaday),andintheendperhapsoutliveme,andclaimpossessionofmyofficebyrightofhisperpetual

occupancy:asallthesedarkanticipationscrowdeduponmemoreandmore,andmyfriendscontinuallyintrudedtheirrelentlessremarksupontheapparitioninmyroom;agreatchangewaswroughtinme.Iresolvedtogatherallmyfacultiestogether,andforeverridmeofthisintolerableincubus.

Ererevolvinganycomplicatedproject,however,adaptedtothisend,IfirstsimplysuggestedtoBartlebytheproprietyofhispermanentdeparture.Inacalmandserioustone,Icommendedtheideatohiscarefulandmatureconsideration.Buthavingtakenthreedaysto


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meditateuponit,heapprisedmethathisoriginaldeterminationremainedthesameinshort,thathestillpreferredtoabidewithme.

WhatshallIdo?Inowsaidtomyself,buttoningupmycoattothelastbutton.WhatshallIdo?whatoughtItodo?whatdoesconsciencesayI_should_dowiththisman,orratherghost.Ridmyselfofhim,Imust;go,heshall.Buthow?Youwillnotthrusthim,thepoor,pale,passivemortal,--youwillnotthrustsuchahelplesscreatureoutofyourdoor?youwillnotdishonoryourselfbysuchcruelty?No,Iwillnot,Icannotdothat.RatherwouldIlethimliveanddiehere,andthenmasonuphisremainsinthewall.Whatthenwillyoudo?Forallyourcoaxing,hewillnotbudge.Bribesheleavesunderyourownpaperweightonyourtable;inshort,itisquiteplainthathepreferstoclingtoyou.

Thensomethingsevere,somethingunusualmustbedone.What!surelyyouwillnothavehimcollaredbyaconstable,andcommithisinnocentpallortothecommonjail?Anduponwhatgroundcouldyouprocuresuchathingtobedone?--avagrant,ishe?What!heavagrant,awanderer,whorefusestobudge?Itisbecausehewill_not_beavagrant,then,thatyouseektocounthim_as_avagrant.Thatistooabsurd.Novisiblemeansofsupport:thereIhavehim.Wrongagain:forindubitablyhe_does_supporthimself,andthatistheonlyunanswerableproofthatanymancanshowofhispossessingthemeanssotodo.No

morethen.Sincehewillnotquitme,Imustquithim.Iwillchangemyoffices;Iwillmoveelsewhere;andgivehimfairnotice,thatifIfindhimonmynewpremisesIwillthenproceedagainsthimasacommontrespasser.

Actingaccordingly,nextdayIthusaddressedhim:"IfindthesechamberstoofarfromtheCityHall;theairisunwholesome.Inaword,Iproposetoremovemyofficesnextweek,andshallnolongerrequireyourservices.Itellyouthisnow,inorderthatyoumayseekanotherplace."

Hemadenoreply,andnothingmorewassaid.

OntheappointeddayIengagedcartsandmen,proceededtomychambers,andhavingbutlittlefurniture,everythingwasremovedinafewhours.Throughout,thescrivenerremainedstandingbehindthescreen,whichIdirectedtoberemovedthelastthing.Itwaswithdrawn;andbeingfoldeduplikeahugefolio,lefthimthemotionlessoccupantofanakedroom.Istoodintheentrywatchinghimamoment,whilesomethingfromwithinmeupbraidedme.

Ire-entered,withmyhandinmypocket--and--andmyheartinmymouth.

"Good-bye,Bartleby;Iamgoing--good-bye,andGodsomewayblessyou;andtakethat,"slippingsomethinginhishand.Butitdroppeduponthefloor,andthen,--strangetosay--ItoremyselffromhimwhomIhadso

longedtoberidof.

Establishedinmynewquarters,foradayortwoIkeptthedoorlocked,andstartedateveryfootfallinthepassages.WhenIreturnedtomyroomsafteranylittleabsence,Iwouldpauseatthethresholdforaninstant,andattentivelylisten,ereapplyingmykey.Butthesefearswereneedless.Bartlebynevercamenighme.

Ithoughtallwasgoingwell,whenaperturbedlookingstrangervisitedme,inquiringwhetherIwasthepersonwhohadrecentlyoccupiedrooms


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atNo.--Wall-street.

Fullofforebodings,IrepliedthatIwas.

"Thensir,"saidthestranger,whoprovedalawyer,"youareresponsibleforthemanyouleftthere.Herefusestodoanycopying;herefusestodoanything;hesaysheprefersnotto;andherefusestoquitthepremises."

"Iamverysorry,sir,"saidI,withassumedtranquility,butaninwardtremor,"but,really,themanyoualludetoisnothingtome--heisnorelationorapprenticeofmine,thatyoushouldholdmeresponsibleforhim."

"Inmercy'sname,whoishe?"

"Icertainlycannotinformyou.Iknownothingabouthim.FormerlyIemployedhimasacopyist;buthehasdonenothingformenowforsometimepast."

"Ishallsettlehimthen,--goodmorning,sir."

Severaldayspassed,andIheardnothingmore;andthoughIoftenfeltacharitablepromptingtocallattheplaceandseepoorBartleby,yeta

certainsqueamishnessofIknownotwhatwithheldme.

Allisoverwithhim,bythistime,thoughtIatlast,whenthroughanotherweeknofurtherintelligencereachedme.Butcomingtomyroomthedayafter,Ifoundseveralpersonswaitingatmydoorinahighstateofnervousexcitement.

"That'stheman--herehecomes,"criedtheforemostone,whomIrecognizedasthelawyerwhohadpreviouslycalleduponmealone.

"Youmusttakehimaway,sir,atonce,"criedaportlypersonamongthem,advancinguponme,andwhomIknewtobethelandlordofNo.--Wall-street."Thesegentlemen,mytenants,cannotstanditany

longer;Mr.B--"pointingtothelawyer,"hasturnedhimoutofhisroom,andhenowpersistsinhauntingthebuildinggenerally,sittinguponthebanistersofthestairsbyday,andsleepingintheentrybynight.Everybodyisconcerned;clientsareleavingtheoffices;somefearsareentertainedofamob;somethingyoumustdo,andthatwithoutdelay."

Aghastatthistorrent,Ifellbackbeforeit,andwouldfainhavelockedmyselfinmynewquarters.InvainIpersistedthatBartlebywasnothingtome--nomorethantoanyoneelse.Invain:--Iwasthelastpersonknowntohaveanythingtodowithhim,andtheyheldmetotheterribleaccount.Fearfulthenofbeingexposedinthepapers(asonepersonpresentobscurelythreatened)Iconsideredthematter,andat

lengthsaid,thatifthelawyerwouldgivemeaconfidentialinterviewwiththescrivener,inhis(thelawyer's)ownroom,Iwouldthatafternoonstrivemybesttoridthemofthenuisancetheycomplainedof.

Goingupstairstomyoldhaunt,therewasBartlebysilentlysittinguponthebanisteratthelanding.

"Whatareyoudoinghere,Bartleby?"saidI.

"Sittinguponthebanister,"hemildlyreplied.


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Imotionedhimintothelawyer'sroom,whothenleftus.

"Bartleby,"saidI,"areyouawarethatyouarethecauseofgreattribulationtome,bypersistinginoccupyingtheentryafterbeingdismissedfromtheoffice?"

Noanswer.

"Nowoneoftwothingsmusttakeplace.Eitheryoumustdosomething,orsomethingmustbedonetoyou.Nowwhatsortofbusinesswouldyouliketoengagein?Wouldyouliketore-engageincopyingforsomeone?"

"No;Iwouldprefernottomakeanychange."

"Wouldyoulikeaclerkshipinadry-goodsstore?"

"Thereistoomuchconfinementaboutthat.No,Iwouldnotlikeaclerkship;butIamnotparticular."

"Toomuchconfinement,"Icried,"whyyoukeepyourselfconfinedallthetime!"

"Iwouldprefernottotakeaclerkship,"herejoined,asiftosettlethatlittleitematonce.

"Howwouldabar-tender'sbusinesssuityou?Thereisnotryingoftheeyesightinthat."

"Iwouldnotlikeitatall;though,asIsaidbefore,Iamnotparticular."

Hisunwontedwordinessinspiritedme.Ireturnedtothecharge.

"Wellthen,wouldyouliketotravelthroughthecountrycollectingbillsforthemerchants?Thatwouldimproveyourhealth."

"No,Iwouldprefertobedoingsomethingelse."

"HowthenwouldgoingasacompaniontoEurope,toentertainsomeyounggentlemanwithyourconversation,--howwouldthatsuityou?"

"Notatall.Itdoesnotstrikemethatthereisanythingdefiniteaboutthat.Iliketobestationary.ButIamnotparticular."

"Stationaryyoushallbethen,"Icried,nowlosingallpatience,andforthefirsttimeinallmyexasperatingconnectionwithhimfairlyflyingintoapassion."Ifyoudonotgoawayfromthesepremisesbeforenight,Ishallfeelbound--indeedI_am_bound--to--to--toquit

thepremisesmyself!"Iratherabsurdlyconcluded,knowingnotwithwhatpossiblethreattotrytofrightenhisimmobilityintocompliance.Despairingofallfurtherefforts,Iwasprecipitatelyleavinghim,whenafinalthoughtoccurredtome--onewhichhadnotbeenwhollyunindulgedbefore.

"Bartleby,"saidI,inthekindesttoneIcouldassumeundersuchexcitingcircumstances,"willyougohomewithmenow--nottomyoffice,butmydwelling--andremaintheretillwecanconcludeuponsomeconvenientarrangementforyouatourleisure?Come,letusstartnow,


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"Bartleby!"

"Iknowyou,"hesaid,withoutlookinground,--"andIwantnothingtosaytoyou."

"ItwasnotIthatbroughtyouhere,Bartleby,"saidI,keenlypainedathisimpliedsuspicion."Andtoyou,thisshouldnotbesovileaplace.Nothingreproachfulattachestoyoubybeinghere.Andsee,itisnotsosadaplaceasonemightthink.Look,thereisthesky,andhereisthegrass."

"IknowwhereIam,"hereplied,butwouldsaynothingmore,andsoIlefthim.

AsIenteredthecorridoragain,abroadmeat-likeman,inanapron,accostedme,andjerkinghisthumboverhisshouldersaid--"Isthatyourfriend?"

"Yes."

"Doeshewanttostarve?Ifhedoes,lethimliveontheprisonfare,that'sall."

"Whoareyou?"askedI,notknowingwhattomakeofsuchanunofficially

speakingpersoninsuchaplace.

"Iamthegrub-man.Suchgentlemenashavefriendshere,hiremetoprovidethemwithsomethinggoodtoeat."

"Isthisso?"saidI,turningtotheturnkey.

Hesaiditwas.

"Wellthen,"saidI,slippingsomesilverintothegrub-man'shands(forsotheycalledhim)."Iwantyoutogiveparticularattentiontomyfriendthere;lethimhavethebestdinneryoucanget.Andyoumustbeaspolitetohimaspossible."

"Introduceme,willyou?"saidthegrub-man,lookingatmewithanexpressionwhichseemtosayhewasallimpatienceforanopportunitytogiveaspecimenofhisbreeding.

Thinkingitwouldproveofbenefittothescrivener,Iacquiesced;andaskingthegrub-manhisname,wentupwithhimtoBartleby.

"Bartleby,thisisMr.Cutlets;youwillfindhimveryusefultoyou."

"Yoursarvant,sir,yoursarvant,"saidthegrub-man,makingalowsalutationbehindhisapron."Hopeyoufinditpleasanthere,sir;--spaciousgrounds--coolapartments,sir--hopeyou'llstaywithus

sometime--trytomakeitagreeable.MayMrs.CutletsandIhavethepleasureofyourcompanytodinner,sir,inMrs.Cutlets'privateroom?"

"Iprefernottodineto-day,"saidBartleby,turningaway."Itwoulddisagreewithme;Iamunusedtodinners."Sosayingheslowlymovedtotheothersideoftheinclosure,andtookupapositionfrontingthedead-wall.

"How'sthis?"saidthegrub-man,addressingmewithastareofastonishment."He'sodd,ainthe?"


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"Ithinkheisalittlederanged,"saidI,sadly.

"Deranged?derangedisit?Wellnow,uponmyword,Ithoughtthatfriendofyournwasagentlemanforger;theyarealwayspaleandgenteel-like,themforgers.Ican'tpity'em--can'thelpit,sir.DidyouknowMonroeEdwards?"headdedtouchingly,andpaused.Then,layinghishandpityinglyonmyshoulder,sighed,"hediedofconsumptionatSing-Sing.Soyouweren'tacquaintedwithMonroe?"

"No,Iwasneversociallyacquaintedwithanyforgers.ButIcannotstoplonger.Looktomyfriendyonder.Youwillnotlosebyit.Iwillseeyouagain."

Somefewdaysafterthis,IagainobtainedadmissiontotheTombs,andwentthroughthecorridorsinquestofBartleby;butwithoutfindinghim.

"Isawhimcomingfromhiscellnotlongago,"saidaturnkey,"maybehe'sgonetoloiterintheyards."

SoIwentinthatdirection.

"Areyoulookingforthesilentman?"saidanotherturnkeypassingme.

"Yonderhelies--sleepingintheyardthere.'TisnottwentyminutessinceIsawhimliedown."

Theyardwasentirelyquiet.Itwasnotaccessibletothecommonprisoners.Thesurroundingwalls,ofamazingthickness,keptoffallsoundsbehindthem.TheEgyptiancharacterofthemasonryweigheduponmewithitsgloom.Butasoftimprisonedturfgrewunderfoot.Theheartoftheeternalpyramids,itseemed,wherein,bysomestrangemagic,throughtheclefts,grass-seed,droppedbybirds,hadsprung.

Strangelyhuddledatthebaseofthewall,hiskneesdrawnup,andlyingonhisside,hisheadtouchingthecoldstones,IsawthewastedBartleby.Butnothingstirred.Ipaused;thenwentcloseuptohim;

stoopedover,andsawthathisdimeyeswereopen;otherwiseheseemedprofoundlysleeping.Somethingpromptedmetotouchhim.Ifelthishand,whenatinglingshiverranupmyarmanddownmyspinetomyfeet.

Theroundfaceofthegrub-manpeereduponmenow."Hisdinnerisready.Won'thedineto-day,either?Ordoeshelivewithoutdining?"

"Liveswithoutdining,"saidI,andclosedhiseyes.

"Eh!--He'sasleep,ainthe?"

"Withkingsandcounselors,"murmuredI.

********

Therewouldseemlittleneedforproceedingfurtherinthishistory.ImaginationwillreadilysupplythemeagerrecitalofpoorBartleby'sinterment.Buterepartingwiththereader,letmesay,thatifthislittlenarrativehassufficientlyinterestedhim,toawakencuriosityastowhoBartlebywas,andwhatmanneroflifeheledpriortothepresentnarrator'smakinghisacquaintance,Icanonlyreply,thatinsuchcuriosityIfullyshare,butamwhollyunabletogratifyit.YethereIhardlyknowwhetherIshoulddivulgeonelittleitemofrumor,which


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cametomyearafewmonthsafterthescrivener'sdecease.Uponwhatbasisitrested,Icouldneverascertain;andhence,howtrueitisIcannotnowtell.Butinasmuchasthisvaguereporthasnotbeenwithoutcertainstrangesuggestiveinteresttome,howeversad,itmayprovethesamewithsomeothers;andsoIwillbrieflymentionit.Thereportwasthis:thatBartlebyhadbeenasubordinateclerkintheDeadLetterOfficeatWashington,fromwhichhehadbeensuddenlyremovedbyachangeintheadministration.WhenIthinkoverthisrumor,Icannotadequatelyexpresstheemotionswhichseizeme.Deadletters!doesitnotsoundlikedeadmen?Conceiveamanbynatureandmisfortunepronetoapallidhopelessness,cananybusinessseemmorefittedtoheightenitthanthatofcontinuallyhandlingthesedeadletters,andassortingthemfortheflames?Forbythecart-loadtheyareannuallyburned.Sometimesfromoutthefoldedpaperthepaleclerktakesaring:--thefingeritwasmeantfor,perhaps,mouldersinthegrave;abank-notesentinswiftestcharity:--hewhomitwouldrelieve,noreatsnorhungersanymore;pardonforthosewhodieddespairing;hopeforthosewhodiedunhoping;goodtidingsforthosewhodiedstifledbyunrelievedcalamities.Onerrandsoflife,theselettersspeedtodeath.

AhBartleby!Ahhumanity!

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Bartleby the Scrivener (Public Domain)

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