Study Webtext
+ +"Bartleby the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street " (1853)
+ Herman Melville
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+ 
+
+
+ Prepared by Ann + Woodlief, Virginia Commonwealth University
+ +Click on text in red for hypertext notes and questions
+I am a rather elderly man. The nature of my avocations for the last thirty + years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem + an interesting and somewhat singular set of men of whom as yet nothing + that I know of has ever been written:-- I mean the law-copyists or scriveners. + I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I + pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen + might smile, and sentimental souls might weep. But I waive the biographies + of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who + was a scrivener the strangest I ever saw or heard of. While of other law-copyists + I might write the complete life, of Bartleby nothing of that sort can be + done. I believe that no materials exist for a full and satisfactory biography + of this man. It is an irreparable loss to literature. Bartleby was one + of those beings of whom nothing is ascertainable, except from the original + sources, and in his case those are very small. What my own astonished eyes + saw of Bartleby, that is all I know of him, except, indeed, one vague report + which will appear in the sequel. +Ere introducing the scrivener, as he first appeared to me, it is fit I + make some mention of myself, my employees, my business, my chambers, and + general surroundings; because some such description is indispensable to + an adequate understanding of the chief character about to be presented.
+Imprimis: I am a man who, from his youth upwards, has been filled + with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best.. Hence, + though I belong to a profession proverbially energetic and nervous, even + to turbulence, at times, yet nothing of that sort have I ever suffered + to invade my peace. I am one of those unambitious lawyers who never addresses + a jury, or in any way draws down public applause; but in the cool tranquillity + of a snug retreat, do a snug business among rich men's bonds and mortgages + and title-deeds. The late John Jacob Astor, a personage little given to + poetic enthusiasm, had no hesitation in pronouncing my first grand point + to be prudence; my next, method. I do not speak it in vanity, but simply + record the fact, that I was not unemployed in my profession by the last + John Jacob Astor; a name which, I admit, I love to repeat, for it hath + a rounded and orbicular sound to it, and rings like unto bullion. I will + freely add, that I was not insensible to the late John Jacob Astor's good + opinion.
+Some time prior to the period at which this little history begins, my + avocations had been largely increased. The good old office, now extinct + in the State of New York, of a Master in Chancery, had been conferred upon + me. It was not a very arduous office, but very pleasantly remunerative. + I seldom lose my temper; much more seldom indulge in dangerous indignation + at wrongs and outrages; but I must be permitted to be rash here and declare, + that I consider the sudden and violent abrogation of the office of Master + of Chancery, by the new Constitution, as a----premature act; inasmuch as + I had counted upon a life-lease of the profits, whereas I only received + those of a few short years. But this is by the way.
+My chambers were up stairs at No.--Wall-street. At one end they looked + upon the white wall of the interior of a spacious sky-light shaft, penetrating + the building from top to bottom. This view might have been considered rather + tame than otherwise, deficient in what landscape painters call "life." + But if so, the view from the other end of my chambers offered, at least, + a contrast, if nothing more. In that direction my windows commanded an + unobstructed view of a lofty brick wall,black by age and everlasting shade; + which wall required no spy-glass to bring out its lurking beauties, but + for the benefit of all near-sighted spectators, was pushed up to within + ten feet of my window panes. Owing to the great height of the surrounding + buildings, and my chambers being on the second floor, the interval between + this wall and mine not a little resembled a huge square cistern.
+At the period just preceding the advent of Bartleby, I had two persons + as copyists in my employment, and a promising lad as an office-boy. First, + Turkey; second, Nippers; third, Ginger Nut.These may seem names, the like + of which are not usually found in the Directory. In truth they were nicknames, + mutually conferred upon each other by my three clerks, and were deemed + expressive of their respective persons or characters. Turkey was a short, + pursy Englishman of about my own age, that is, somewhere not far from sixty. + In the morning, one might say, his face was of a fine florid hue, but after + twelve o'clock, meridian-- his dinner hour-- it blazed like a grate full + of Christmas coals; and continued blazing--but, as it were, with a gradual + wane--till 6 o'clock, P.M. or thereabouts, after which I saw no more of + the proprietor of the face, which gaining its meridian with the sun, seemed + to set with it, to rise, culminate, and decline the following day, with + the like regularity and undiminished glory. There are many singular coincidences + I have known in the course of my life, not the least among which was the + fact that exactly when Turkey displayed his fullest beams from his red + and radiant countenance, just then, too, at the critical moment, began + the daily period when I considered his business capacities as seriously + disturbed for the remainder of the twenty-four hours. Not that he was absolutely + idle, or averse to business then; far from it. The difficulty was, he was + apt to be altogether too energetic. There was a strange, inflamed, flurried, + flighty recklessness of activity about him. He would be incautious in dipping + his pen into his inkstand. All his blots upon my documents, were dropped + there after twelve o'clock, meridian. Indeed, not only would he be reckless + and sadly given to making blots in the afternoon, but some days he went + further, and was rather noisy. At such times, too, his face flamed with + augmented blazonry, as if cannel coal had been heaped on anthracite. He + made an unpleasant racket with his chair; spilled his sand-box; in mending + his pens, impatiently split them all to pieces, and threw them on the floor + in a sudden passion; stood up and leaned over his table, boxing his papers + about in a most indecorous manner, very sad to behold in an elderly manlike + him. Nevertheless, as he was in many ways a most valuable person to me, + and all the time before twelve o'clock, meridian, was the quickest, steadiest + creature too, accomplishing a great deal of work in a style not easy to + be matched--for these reasons, I was willingto overlook his eccentricities, + though indeed, occasionally, I remonstrated with him. I did this very gently, + however, because, though the civilest, nay, the blandest and most reverential + of men in the morning, yet in the afternoon he was disposed, upon provocation, + to be slightly rash with his tongue, in fact, insolent. Now, valuing his + morning services as I did, and resolved not to lose them; yet, at the same + time made uncomfortable by his inflamed ways after twelve o'clock; and + being a man of peace, unwilling by my admonitions to call forth unseemingly + retorts from him; I took upon me, one Saturday noon (he was always worse + on Saturdays), to hint to him, very kindly, that perhaps now that he was + growing old, it might be well to abridge his labors; in short, he need + not come to my chambers after twelve o'clock, but, dinner over, had best + go home to his lodgings and rest himself till tea-time. But no; he insisted + upon his afternoon devotions. His countenance became intolerably fervid, + as he oratorically assured me--gesticulating with a long ruler at the other + end of the room--that if his services in the morning were useful, how indispensible, + then, in the afternoon?
+"With submission, sir," said Turkey on this occasion, "I consider myself + your right-hand man. In the morning I but marshal and deploy my columns; + but in the afternoon I put myself at their head, and gallantly charge the + foe, thus!"--and he made a violent thrust with the ruler.
+"But the blots, Turkey," intimated I.
+"True,--but, with submission, sir, behold these hairs! I am getting old. + Surely, sir, a blot or two of a warm afternoon is not the page--is honorable. + With submission, sir, we both are getting old."
+This appeal to my fellow-feeling was hardly to be resisted. At all events, + I saw that go he would not. So I made up my mind to let him stay, resolving, + nevertheless, to see to it, that during the afternoon he had to do with + my less important papers.
+Nippers, the second on my list, was a whiskered, sallow, and, upon the + whole, rather piratical-looking young man of about five and twenty. I always + deemed him the victim of two evil powers-- ambition and indigestion. The + ambition was evinced by a certain impatience of the duties of a mere copyist, + an unwarrantable usurpation of strictly profession affairs, such as the + original drawing up of legal documents. The indigestion seemed betokened + in an occasional nervous testiness and grinning irritability, causing the + teeth to audibly grind together over mistakes committed in copying; unnecessary + maledictions, hissed, rather than spoken, in the heat of business; and + especially by a continual discontent with the height of the table where + he worked. Though of a very ingenious mechanical turn, Nippers could never + get this table to suit him. He put chips under it, blocks of various sorts, + bits of pasteboard, and at last went so far as to attempt an exquisite + adjustment by final pieces of folded blotting-paper. But no invention would + answer. If, for the sake of easing his back, he brought the table lid at + a sharp angle well up towards his chin, and wrote there like a man using + the steep roof of a Dutch house for his desk:--then he declared that it + stopped the circulation in his arms. If now he lowered the table to his + waistbands, and stooped over it in writing, then there was a sore aching + in his back. In short, the truth of the matter was, Nippers knew not what + he wanted. Or, if he wanted anything, it was to be rid of a scrivener's + table altogether. Among the manifestations of his diseased ambition was + a fondness he had for receiving visits from certain ambiguous-looking fellows + in seedy coats, whom he called his clients. Indeed I was aware that not + only was he, at times, considerable of a ward-politician, but he occasionally + did a little businessat the Justices' courts, and was not unknown on the + steps of the Tombs. I have good reason to believe, however, that one individual + who called upon him at my chambers, and who, with a grand air, he insisted + was his client, was no other than a dun, and the alleged title-deed, a + bill. But with all his failings, and the annoyances he caused me, Nippers, + like his compatriot Turkey, was a very useful man to me; wrote a neat, + swift hand; and, when he chose, was not deficient in a gentlemanly sort + of deportment. Added to this, he always dressedin a gentlemanly sort of + way; and so, incidentally, reflected credit upon my chambers. Whereas with + respect to Turkey, I had much ado to keep him from being a reproach to + me. His clothes were apt to look oily and smell of eating-houses. He wore + his pantaloons very loose and baggy in summer. His coats were execrable; + his hat not to be handled. But while the hat was a thing of indifference + to me, inasmuch as his natural civility and deference, as a dependent Englishman, + always led him to doff it the moment he entered the room, yet his coat + was another matter. Concerning his coats, I reasoned with him; but with + no effect. The truth was, I suppose, that a man with so small an income, + could not afford to sport such a lustrous face and a lustrous coat at one + and the same time. As Nippers once observed, Turkey's money went chiefly + for red ink. One winter day I presented Turkey with a highly-respectable + looking coat of my own, a padded gray coat, of a most comfortable warmth, + and which buttoned straight up from the knee to the neck. I thought Turkey + would appreciate the favor, and abate his rashness and obstreperousness + of afternoons. But no. I verily believe that buttoning himself up in so + downy and blanket-like a coat had a pernicious effect upon him; upon the + same principle that too much oats are bad for horses. In fact, precisely + as a rash, restive horse is said to feel his oats, so Turkey felt his coat. + It made him insolent. He was a man whom prosperity harmed.
+Though concerning the self-indulgent habits of Turkey I had my own private + surmises, yet touching Nippers I was well persuaded that whatever might + be his faults in other respects, he was, at least, a temperate young man. + But indeed, nature herself seemed to have been his vintner, and at his + birth charged him so thoroughly with an irritable, brandy-like disposition, + that all subsequent potations were needless. When I consider how, amid + the stillness of my chambers, Nippers would sometimes impatiently rise + from his seat, and stooping over his table, spread his arms wide apart, + seize the whole desk, and move it, and jerk it, with a grim, grinding motion + on the floor, as if the table were a perverse voluntary agent, intent on + thwarting and vexing him; I plainly perceive that for Nippers, brandy and + water were altogether superfluous.
+It was fortunate for me that, owing to its course--indigestion--the irritability + and consequent nervousness of Nippers, were mainly observable in the morning, + while in the afternoon he was comparatively mild. So that Turkey's paroxysms + only coming on about twelve o'clock, I never had to do with their eccentricities + at one time. Their fits relieved each other like guards. When Nippers' + was on, Turkey's was off, and vice versa. This was a good natural arrangement + under the circumstances.
+Ginger Nut, the third on my list, was a lad some twelve years old. His + father was a carman, ambitious of seeing his son on the bench instead of + a cart, before he died. So he sent him to my office as a student at law, + errand boy, and cleaner and sweeper, at the rate of one dollar a week. + He had a little desk to himself, but he did not use it much. Upon inspection, + the drawer exhibited a great array of the shells of various sorts of nuts. + Indeed, to this quick-witted youth the whole noble science of the law was + contained in a nut-shell. Not the least among the employments of Ginger + Nut, as well as one which he discharged with the most alacrity, was his + duty as cake and apple purveyor for Turkey and Nippers. Copying law papers + being proverbially a dry, husky sort of business, my two scriveners were + fain to moisten their mouths very often with Spitzenbergs to be had at + the numerous stalls nigh the Custom House and Post Office. Also, they sent + Ginger Nut very frequently for that peculiar cake--small, flat, round, + and very spicy--after which he had been named by them. Of a cold morning + when business was but dull, Turkey would gobble up scores of these cakes, + as if they were mere wafers--indeed they sell them at the rate of six or + eight for a penny--the scrape of his pen blending with the crunching of + the crisp particles in his mouth. Of all the fiery afternoon blunders and + flurried rashnesses of Turkey, was his once moistening a ginger-cake between + his lips, and clapping it on to a mortgage for a seal. I came within an + ace of dismissing him then. But he mollified me by making an oriental bow, + and saying--"With submission, sir, it was generous of me to find you in + stationery on my own account."
+Now my original business--that of a conveyancer and title hunter, and + drawer-up of recondite documents of all sorts--was considerably increased + by receiving the master's office. There was now great work for scriveners. + Not only must I push the clerks already with me, but I must have additional + help. In answer to my advertisement, a motionless young man one morning, + stood upon my office threshold, the door being open, for it was summer. + I can see that figure now--pallidly neat, pitiably respectable, incurably + forlorn! It was Bartleby.
+After a few words touching his qualifications, I engaged him, glad to + have among my corps of copyists a man of so singularly sedate an aspect, + which I thought might operate beneficially upon the flighty temper of Turkey, + and the fiery one of Nippers.
+I should have stated before that ground glass folding-doors divided my + premises into two parts, one of which was occupied by my scriveners, the + other by myself. According to my humor I threw open these doors, or closed + them. I resolved to assign Bartleby a corner by the folding-doors, but + on my side of them, so as to have this quiet man within easy call, in case + any trifling thing was to be done. I placed his desk close up to a small + side window in that part of the room, a window which originally had afforded + a lateral view of certain grimy back-yards and bricks, but which, owing + to subsequent erections, commanded at present no view at all, though it + gave some light. Within three feet of the panes was a wall, and the light + came down from far above, between two lofty buildings, as from a very small + opening in a dome. Still further to a satisfactory arrangement, I procured + a high green folding screen, which might entirely isolate Bartleby from + my sight, though not remove him from my voice. And thus, in a manner, privacy + and society were conjoined.
+At first Bartleby did an extraordinary quantity of writing. As if long + famishingfor something to copy, he seemed to gorge himself on my documents. + There was no pause for digestion. He ran a day and night line, copying + by sun-light and by candle-light. I should have been quite delighted with + his application, had be been cheerfully industrious. But he wrote on silently, + palely, mechanically.
+It is, of course, an indispensable part of a scrivener's business to verify + the accuracy of his copy, word by word. Where there are two or more scriveners + in an office, they assist each other in this examination, one reading from + the copy, the other holding the original. It is a very dull, wearisome, + and lethargic affair. I can readily imagine that to some sanguine temperaments + it would be altogether intolerable. For example, I cannot credit that the + mettlesome poet Byron would have contentedly sat down with Bartleby to + examine a law document of, say five hundred pages, closely written in a + crimpy hand.
+Now and then, in the haste of business, it had been my habit to assist + in comparing some brief document myself, calling Turkey or Nippers for + this purpose. One object I had in placing Bartleby so handy to me behind + the screen, was to avail myself of his services on such trivial occasions. + It was on the third day, I think, of his being with me, and before any + necessity had arisen for having his own writing examined, that, being much + hurried to complete a small affair I had in hand, I abruptly called to + Bartleby. In my haste and natural expectancy of instant compliance, I sat + with my head bent over the original on my desk, and my right hand sideways, + and somewhat nervously extended with the copy, so that immediately upon + emerging from his retreat, Bartleby might snatch it and proceed to business + without the least delay.
+In this very attitude did I sit when I called to him, rapidly stating + what it was I wanted him to do--namely, to examine a small paper with me. + Imagine my surprise, nay, my consternation, when without moving from his + privacy, Bartleby in a singularly mild, firm voice, replied,"I would prefer + not to."
+I sat awhile in perfect silence, rallying my stunned faculties. Immediately + it occurred to me that my ears had deceived me, or Bartleby had entirely + misunderstood my meaning. I repeated my request in the clearest tone I + could assume. But in quite as clear a one came the previous reply, "I would + prefer not to."
+"Prefer not to," echoed I, rising in high excitement, and crossing the + room with a stride, "What do you mean? Are you moon-struck? I want you + to help me compare this sheet here--take it," and I thrust it towards him.
+"I would prefer not to," said he.
+I looked at him steadfastly. His face was leanly composed; his gray eye + dimly calm. Not a wrinkle of agitation rippled him. Had there been the + least uneasiness, anger, impatience or impertinence in his manner; in other + words, had there been any thing ordinarily human about him, doubtless I + should have violently dismissed him from the premises. But as it was, I + should have as soon thought of turning my pale plaster-of-paris bust of + Cicero out of doors. I stood gazing at him awhile, as he went on with his + own writing, and then reseated myself at my desk. This is very strange, + thought I. What had one best do? But my business hurried me. I concluded + to forget the matter for the present, reserving it for my future leisure. + So calling Nippers from the other room, the paper was speedily examined.
+A few days after this, Bartleby concluded four lengthy documents, being + quadruplicates of a week's testimony taken before me in my High Court of + Chancery. It became necessary to examine them. It was an important suit, + and great accuracy was imperative. Having all things arranged I called + Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut from the next room, meaning to place the + four copies in the hands of my four clerks, while I should read from the + original. Accordingly Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut had taken their seats + in a row, each with his document in hand, when I called to Bartleby to + join this interesting group.
+"Bartleby! quick, I am waiting."
+I heard a low scrape of his chair legs on the unscraped floor, and soon + he appeared standing at the entrance of his hermitage.
+"What is wanted?" said he mildly.
+"The copies, the copies," said I hurriedly. "We are going to examine them. + There"--and I held towards him the fourth quadruplicate.
+"I would prefer not to," he said, and gently disappeared behind the screen.
+For a few moments I was turned into a pillar of salt, standing at the + head of my seated column of clerks. Recovering myself, I advanced towards + the screen, and demanded the reason for such extraordinary conduct.
+"Why do you refuse?"
+"I would prefer not to."
+With any other man I should have flown outright into a dreadful passion, + scorned all further words, and thrust him ignominiously from my presence. + But there was something about Bartleby that not only strangely disarmed + me, but in a wonderful manner touched and disconcerted me. I began to reason + with him.
+"These are your own copies we are about to examine. It is labor saving + to you, because one examination will answer for your four papers. It is + common usage. Every copyist is bound to help examine his copy. Is it not + so? Will you not speak? Answer!"
+"I prefer not to," he replied in a flute-like tone. It seemed to me that + while I had been addressing him, he carefully revolved every statement + that I made; fully comprehended the meaning; could not gainsay the irresistible + conclusion; but, at the same time, some paramount consideration prevailed + with him to reply as he did.
+"You are decided, then, not to comply with my request--a request made + according to common usage and common sense?"
+He briefly gave me to understand that on that point my judgment was sound. + Yes: his decision was irreversible.
+It is not seldom the case that when a man is browbeaten in some unprecedented + and violently unreasonable way, he begins to stagger in his own plainest + faith. He begins, as it were, vaguely to surmise that, wonderful as it + may be, all the justice and all the reason is on the other side. Accordingly, + if any disinterested persons are present, he turns to them for some reinforcement + for his own faltering mind.
+"Turkey," said I, "what do you think of this? Am I not right?"
+"With submission, sir," said Turkey, with his blandest tone, "I think + that you are."
+"Nippers," said I, "what do you think of it?"
+"I think I should kick him out of the office."
+(The reader of nice perceptions will here perceive that, it being morning, + Turkey's answer is couched in polite and tranquil terms, but Nippers replies + in ill-tempered ones. Or, to repeat a previous sentence, Nipper's ugly + mood was on duty, and Turkey's off.)
+"Ginger Nut," said I, willing to enlist the smallest suffrage in my behalf, + "what do you think of it?"
+"I think, sir, he's a little luny," replied Ginger Nut, with a + grin.
+"You hear what they say," said I, turning towards the screen, "come forth + and do your duty."
+But he vouchsafed no reply. I pondered a moment in sore perplexity. But + once more business hurried me. I determined again to postpone the consideration + of this dilemma to my future leisure. With a little trouble we made out + to examine the papers without Bartleby, though at every page or two, Turkey + deferentially dropped his opinion that this proceeding was quite out of + the common; while Nippers, twitching in his chair with a dyspeptic nervousness, + ground out between his set teeth occasional hissing maledictions against + the stubborn oaf behind the screen. And for his (Nipper's) part, this was + the first and the last time he would do another man's business without + pay.
+Meanwhile Bartleby sat in his hermitage, oblivious to every thing but + his own peculiar business there.
+Some days passed, the scrivener being employed upon another lengthy work. + His late remarkable conduct led me to regard his way narrowly. I observed + that he never went to dinner; indeed that he never went any where. As yet + I had never of my personal knowledge known him to be outside of my office. + He was a perpetual sentry in the corner. At about eleven o'clock though, + in the morning, I noticed that Ginger Nut would advance toward the opening + in Bartleby's screen, as if silently beckoned thither by a gesture invisible + to me where I sat. That boy would then leave the office jingling a few + pence, and reappear with a handful of ginger-nuts which he delivered in + the hermitage, receiving two of the cakes for his trouble.
+He lives, then, on ginger-nuts, thought I; never eats a dinner, properly + speaking; he must be a vegetarian then, but no; he never eats even vegetables, + he eats nothing but ginger-nuts. My mind then ran on in reveries concerning + the probable effects upon the human constitution of living entirely on + ginger-nuts. Ginger-nuts are so called because they contain ginger as one + of their peculiar constituents, and the final flavoring one. Now what was + ginger? A hot, spicy thing. Was Bartleby hot and spicy? Not at all. Ginger, + then, had no effect upon Bartleby. Probably he preferred it should have + none.
+Nothing so aggravates an earnest person as a passive resistance. If the + individual so resisted be of a not inhumane temper, and the resisting one + perfectly harmless in his passivity; then, in the better moods of the former, + he will endeavor charitably to construe to his imagination what proves + impossible to be solved by his judgment. Even so, for the most part, I + regarded Bartleby and his ways. Poor fellow! thought I, he means no mischief; + it is plain he intends no insolence; his aspect sufficiently evinces that + his eccentricities are involuntary. He is useful to me. I can get along + with him. If I turn him away, the chances are he will fall in with some + less indulgent employer, and then he will be rudely treated, and perhaps + driven forth miserably to starve. Yes. Here I can cheaply purchase a delicious + self-approval. To befriend Bartleby; to humor him in his strange willfulness, + will cost me little or nothing, while I lay up in my soul what will eventually + prove a sweet morsel for my conscience. But this mood was not invariable + with me. The passiveness of Bartleby sometimes irritated me. I felt strangely + goaded on to encounter him in new opposition, to elicit some angry spark + from him answerable to my own. But indeed I might as well have essayed + to strike fire with my knuckles against a bit of Windsor soap. But one + afternoon the evil impulse in me mastered me, and the following little + scene ensued:
+"Bartleby," said I, "when those papers are all copied, I will compare + them with you."
+"I would prefer not to."
+"How? Surely you do not mean to persist in that mulish vagary?"
+No answer.
+I threw open the folding-doors near by, and turning upon Turkey and Nippers, + exclaimed in an excited manner--
+"He says, a second time, he won't examine his papers. What do you think + of it, Turkey?"
+It was afternoon, be it remembered. Turkey sat glowing like a brass boiler, + his bald head steaming, his hands reeling among his blotted papers.
+"Think of it?" roared Turkey; "I think I'll just step behind his screen, + and black his eyes for him!"
+So saying, Turkey rose to his feet and threw his arms into a pugilistic + position. He was hurrying away to make good his promise, when I detained + him, alarmed at the effect of incautiously rousing Turkey's combativeness + after dinner.
+"Sit down, Turkey," said I, "and hear what Nippers has to say. What do + you think of it, Nippers? Would I not be justified in immediately dismissing + Bartleby?"
+"Excuse me, that is for you to decide, sir. I think his conduct quite + unusual, and indeed unjust, as regards Turkey and myself. But it may only + be a passing whim."
+"Ah," exclaimed I, "you have strangely changed your mind then--you speak + very gently of him now."
+"All beer," cried Turkey; "gentleness is effects of beer--Nippers and + I dined together to-day. You see how gentle I am, sir. Shall I go and black + his eyes?"
+"You refer to Bartleby, I suppose. No, not to-day, Turkey," I replied; + "pray, put up your fists."
+I closed the doors, and again advanced towards Bartleby. I felt additional + incentives tempting me to my fate. I burned to be rebelled against again. + I remembered that Bartleby never left the office.
+"Bartleby," said I, "Ginger Nut is away; just step round to the Post Office, + won't you? (it was but a three minutes walk,) and see if there is any thing + for me."
+"I would prefer not to."
+"You will not?"
+"I prefer not."
+I staggered to my desk, and sat there in a deep study. My blind inveteracy + returned. Was there any other thing in which I could procure myself to + be ignominiously repulsed by this lean, penniless with?--my hired clerk? + What added thing is there, perfectly reasonable, that he will be sure to + refuse to do?
+"Bartleby!"
+No answer.
+"Bartleby," in a louder tone.
+No answer.
+"Bartleby," I roared.
+Like a very ghost, agreeably to the laws of magical invocation, at the + third summons, he appeared at the entrance of his hermitage.
+"Go to the next room, and tell Nippers to come to me."
+"I prefer not to," he respectfully and slowly said, and mildly disappeared.
+"Very good, Bartleby," said I, in a quiet sort of serenely severe self-possessed + tone, intimating the unalterable purpose of some terrible retribution very + close at hand. At the moment I half intended something of the kind. But + upon the whole, as it was drawing towards my dinner-hour, I thought it + best to put on my hat and walk home for the day, suffering much from perplexity + and distress of mind.
+Shall I acknowledge it? The conclusion of this whole business was that + it soon became a fixed fact of my chambers, that a pale young scrivener, + by the name of Bartleby, had a desk there; that he copied for me at the + usual rate of four cents a folio (one hundred words); but he was permanently + exempt from examining the work done by him, that duty being transferred + to Turkey and Nippers, one of compliment doubtless to their superior acuteness; + moreover, said Bartleby was never on any account to be dispatched on the + most trivial errand of any sort; and that even if entreated to take upon + him such a matter, it was generally understood that he would prefer not + to--in other words, that he would refuse point-blank.
+32 As days passed on, I became considerably reconciled to Bartleby. His + steadiness, his freedom from all dissipation, his incessant industry (except + when he chose to throw himself into a standing revery behind his screen), + his great stillness, his unalterableness of demeanor under all circumstances, + made him a valuable acquisition. One prime thing was this,--he was always + there;--first in the morning, continually through the day, and the last + at night. I had a singular confidence in his honesty. I felt my most precious + papers perfectly safe in his hands. Sometimes to be sure I could not, for + the very soul of me, avoid falling into sudden spasmodic passions with + him. For it was exceeding difficult to bear in mind all the time those + strange peculiarities, privileges, and unheard of exemptions, forming the + tacit stipulations on Bartleby's part under which he remained in my office. + Now and then, in the eagerness of dispatching pressing business, I would + inadvertently summon Bartleby, in a short, rapid tone, to put his finger, + say, on the incipient tie of a bit of red tape with which I was about compressing + some papers. Of course, from behind the screen the usual answer, "I prefer + not to," was sure to come; and then, how could a human creature with the + common infirmities of our nature, refrain from bitterly exclaiming upon + such perverseness--such unreasonableness. However, every added repulse + of this sort which I received only tended to lessen the probability of + my repeating the inadvertence.
+Here is must be said, that according to the custom of most legal gentlemen + occupying chambers in densely-populated law buildings, there were several + keys to my door. One was kept by a woman residing in the attic, which person + weekly scrubbed and daily swept and dusted my apartments. Another was kept + by Turkey for convenience sake. The third I sometimes carried in my own + pocket. The fourth I knew not who had.
+Now, one Sunday morning I happened to go to Trinity Church, to hear a + celebrated preacher, and finding myself rather early on the ground, I thought + I would walk round to my chambers for a while. Luckily I had my key with + me; but upon applying it to the lock, I found it resisted by something + inserted from the inside. Quite surprised, I called out; when to my consternation + a key was turned from within; and thrusting his lean visage at me, and + holding the door ajar, the apparition of Bartleby appeared, in his shirt + sleeves, and otherwise in a strangely tattered dishabille, saying quietly + that he was sorry, but he was deeply engaged just then, and--preferred + not admitting me at present. In a brief word or two, he moreover added, + that perhaps I had better walk round the block two or three times, and + by that time he would probably have concluded his affairs. Now, the utterly + unsurmised appearance of Bartleby, tenanting my law-chambers of a Sunday + morning, with his cadaverously gentlemanly nonchalance, yet withal firm + and self-possessed, had such a strange effect upon me, that incontinently + I slunk away from my own door, and did as desired. But not without sundry + twinges of impotent rebellion against the mild effrontery of this unaccountable + scrivener. Indeed, it was his wonderful mildness chiefly, which not only + disarmed me, but unmanned me, as it were. For I consider that one, for + the time, is a sort of unmanned when he tranquilly permits his hired clerk + to dictate to him, and order him away from his own premises. Furthermore, + I was full of uneasiness as to what Bartleby could possibly be doing in + my office in his shirt sleeves, and in an otherwise dismantled condition + of a Sunday morning. Was any thing amiss going on? Nay, that was out of + the question. It was not to be thought of for a moment that Bartleby was + an immoral person. But what could he be doing there?--copying? Nay again, + whatever might be his eccentricities, Bartleby was an eminently decorous + person. He would be the last man to sit down to his desk in any state approaching + to nudity. Besides, it was Sunday; and there was something about Bartleby + that forbade the supposition that we would by any secular occupation violate + the proprieties of the day.
+Nevertheless, my mind was not pacified; and full of a restless curiosity, + at last I returned to the door. Without hindrance I inserted my key, opened + it, and entered. Bartleby was not to be seen. I looked round anxiously, + peeped behind his screen; but it was very plain that he was gone. Upon + more closely examining the place, I surmised that for an indefinite period + Bartleby must have ate, dressed, and slept in my office, and that too without + plate, mirror, or bed. The cushioned seat of a rickety old sofa in one + corner bore t faint impress of a lean, reclining form. Rolled away under + his desk, I found a blanket; under the empty grate, a blacking box and + brush; on a chair, a tin basin, with soap and a ragged towel; in a newspaper + a few crumbs of ginger-nuts and a morsel of cheese. Yet, thought I, it + is evident enough that Bartleby has been making his home here, keeping + bachelor's hallall by himself. Immediately then the thought came sweeping + across me, What miserable friendlessness and loneliness are here revealed! + His poverty is great; but his solitude, how horrible! Think of it. Of a + Sunday, Wall-street is deserted as Petra; and every night of every day + it is an emptiness. This building too, which of week-days hums with industry + and life, at nightfall echoes with sheer vacancy, and all through Sunday + is forlorn. And here Bartleby makes his home; sole spectator of a solitude + which he has seen all populous--a sort of innocent and transformed Marius + brooding among the ruins of Carthage!
+For the first time in my life a feeling of overpowering stinging melancholy + seized me. Before, I had never experienced aught but a not-unpleasing sadness. + The bond of a common humanity now drew me irresistibly to gloom. A fraternal + melancholy! For both I and Bartleby were sons of Adam. I remembered the + bright silks and sparkling faces I had seen that day in gala trim, swan-like + sailing down the Mississippi of Broadway; and I contrasted them with the + pallid copyist, and thought to myself, Ah, happiness courts the light, + so we deem the world is gay; but misery hides aloof, so we deem that misery + there is none. These sad fancyings-- chimeras, doubtless, of a sick and + silly brain--led on to other and more special thoughts, concerning the + eccentricities of Bartleby. Presentiments of strange discoveries hovered + round me. The scrivener's pale form appeared to me laid out, among uncaring + strangers, in its shivering winding sheet.
+Suddenly I was attracted by Bartleby's closed desk, the key in open sight + left in the lock.
+I mean no mischief, seek the gratification of no heartless curiosity, + thought I; besides, the desk is mine, and its contents too, so I will make + bold to look within. Every thing was methodically arranged, the papers + smoothly placed. The pigeon holes were deep, and removing the files of + documents, I groped into their recesses. Presently I felt something there, + and dragged it out. It was an old bandanna handkerchief, heavy and knotted. + I opened it, and saw it was a savings' bank.
+I now recalled all the quiet mysteries which I had noted in the man. I + remembered that he never spoke but to answer; that though at intervals + he had considerable time to himself, yet I had never seen him reading--no, + not even a newspaper; that for long periods he would stand looking out, + at his pale window behind the screen, upon the dead brick wall; I was quite + sure he never visited any refectory or eating house; while his pale face + clearly indicated that he never drank beer like Turkey, or tea and coffee + even, like other men; that he never went any where in particular that I + could learn; never went out for a walk, unless indeed that was the case + at present; that he had declined telling who he was, or whence he came, + or whether he had any relatives in the world; that though so thin and pale, + he never complained of ill health. And more than all, I remembered a certain + unconscious air of pallid--how shall I call it?--of pallid haughtiness, + say, or rather an austere reserve about him, which had positively awed + me into my tame compliance with his eccentricities, when I had feared to + ask him to do the slightest incidental thing for me, even though I might + know, from his long-continued motionlessness, that behind his screen he + must be standing in one of those dead-wall reveries of his.
+Revolving all these things, and coupling them with the recently discovered + fact that he made my office his constant abiding place and home, and not + forgetful of his morbid moodiness; revolving all these things, a prudential + feeling began to steal over me. My first emotions had been those of pure + melancholy and sincerest pity; but just in proportion as the forlornness + of Bartleby grew and grew to my imagination, did that same melancholy merge + into fear, that pity into repulsion. So true it is, and so terrible too, + that up to a certain point the thought or sight of misery enlists our best + affections; but, in certain special cases, beyond that point it does not. + They err who would assert that invariably this is owing to the inherent + selfishness of the human heart. It rather proceeds from a certain hopelessness + of remedying excessive and organic ill. To a sensitive being, pity is not + seldom pain. And when at last it is perceived that such pity cannot lead + to effectual succor, common sense bids the soul be rid of it. What I saw + that morning persuaded me that the scrivener was the victim of innate and + incurable disorder. I might give alms to his body; but his body did not + pain him; it was his soul that suffered, and his soul I could not reach.
+I did not accomplish the purpose of going to Trinity Church that morning. + Somehow, the things I had seen disqualified me for the time from church-going. + I walked homeward, thinking what I would do with Bartleby. Finally, I resolvedupon + this;--I would put certain calm questions to him the next morning, touching + his history, &c., and if he declined to answer then openly and reservedly + (and I supposed he would prefer not), then to give him a twenty dollar + bill over and above whatever I might owe him, and tell him his services + were no longer required; but that if in any other way I could assist him, + I would be happy to do so, especially if he desired to return to his native + place, wherever that might be, I would willingly help to defray the expenses. + Moreover, if after reaching home, he found himself at any time in want + of aid, a letter from him would be sure of a reply.
+The next morning came.
+"Bartleby," said I, gently calling to him behind the screen.
+No reply.
+"Bartleby," said I, in a still gentler tone, "come here; I am not going + to ask you to do any thing you would prefer not to do--I simply wish to + speak to you."
+Upon this he noiselessly slid into view.
+"Will you tell me, Bartleby, where you were born?"
+"I would prefer not to."
+"Will you tell me anything about yourself?"
+"I would prefer not to."
+"But what reasonable objection can you have to speak to me? I feel friendly + towards you."
+He did not look at me while I spoke, but kept his glance fixed upon my + bust of Cicero, which as I then sat, was directly behind me, some six inches + above my head. "What is your answer, Bartleby?" said I, after waiting a + considerable time for a reply, during which his countenance remained immovable, + only there was the faintest conceivable tremor of the white attenuated + mouth.
+"At present I prefer to give no answer," he said, and retired into his + hermitage.
+It was rather weak in me I confess, but his manner on this occasion nettled + me. Not only did there seem to lurk in it a certain disdain, but his perverseness + seemed ungrateful, considering the undeniable good usage and indulgence + he had received from me.
+Again I sat ruminating what I should do.Mortified as I was at his behavior, + and resolved as I had been to dismiss him when I entered my office, nevertheless + I strangely felt something superstitious knocking at my heart, and forbidding + me to carry out my purpose, and denouncing me for a villain if I dared + to breathe one bitter word against this forlornest of mankind. At last, + familiarly drawing my chair behind his screen, I sat down and said: "Bartleby, + never mind then about revealing your history; but let me entreat you, as + a friend, to comply as far as may be with the usages of this office. Say + now you will help to examine papers tomorrow or next day: in short, say + now that in a day or two you will begin to be a little reasonable:--say + so, Bartleby."
+"At present I would prefer not to be a little reasonable was his idly + cadaverous reply.,"
+Just then the folding-doors opened, and Nippers approached. He seemed + suffering from an unusually bad night's rest, induced by severer indigestion + than common. He overheard those final words of Bartleby.
+"Prefer not, eh?" gritted Nippers--"I'd prefer him, if I were + you, sir," addressing me--"I'd prefer him; I'd give him preferences, + the stubborn mule! What is it, sir, pray, that he prefers not to do + now?"
+Bartleby moved not a limb.
+"Mr. Nippers," said I, "I'd prefer that you would withdraw for the present."
+Somehow, of late I had got into the way of involuntary using this word + "prefer" upon all sorts of not exactly suitable occasions. And I trembled + to think that my contact with the scrivener had already and seriously affected + me in a mental way. And what further and deeper aberration might it not + yet produce? This apprehension had not been without efficacy in determining + me to summary means.
+As Nippers, looking very sour and sulky, was departing, Turkey blandly + and deferentially approached.
+"With submission, sir," said he, "yesterday I was thinking about Bartleby + here, and I think that if he would but prefer to take a quart of good ale + every day, it would do much towards mending him, and enabling him to assist + in examining his papers."
+"So you have got the word too," said I, slightly excited.
+"With submission, what word, sir," asked Turkey, respectfully crowding + himself into the contracted space behind the screen, and by so doing, making + me jostle the scrivener. "What word, sir?"
+"I would prefer to be left alone here," said Bartleby, as if offended + at being mobbed in his privacy.
+"That's the word, Turkey," said I--"that's it."
+"Oh, prefer oh yes--queer word. I never use it myself. But, sir + as I was saying, if he would but prefer--"
+"Turkey," interrupted I, "you will please withdraw."
+"Oh, certainly, sir, if you prefer that I should."
+As he opened the folding-door to retire, Nippers at his desk caught a + glimpse of me, and asked whether I would prefer to have a certain paper + copied on blue paper or white. He did not in the least roguishly accent + the word prefer. It was plain that it involuntarily rolled from his tongue. + I thought to myself, surely I must get rid of a demented man, who already + has in some degree turned the tongues, if not the heads of myself and clerks. + But I thought it prudent not to break the dismission at once.
+The next day I noticed that Bartleby did nothing but stand at his window + in his dead-wall revery. Upon asking him why he did not write, he said + that he had decided upon doing no more writing.
+"Why, how now? what next?" exclaimed I, "do no more writing?"
+"No more."
+"And what is the reason?"
+"Do you not see the reason for yourself," he indifferently replied.
+I looked steadfastly at him, and perceived that his eyes looked dull and + glazed. Instantly it occurred to me, that his unexampled diligence in copying + by his dim window for the first few weeks of his stay with me might have + temporarily impaired his vision.
+I was touched. I said something in condolence with him. I hinted that + of course he did wisely in abstaining from writing for a while; and urged + him to embrace that opportunity of taking wholesome exercise in the open + air. This, however, he did not do. A few days after this, my other clerks + being absent, and being in a great hurry to dispatch certain letters by + the mail, I thought that, having nothing else earthly to do, Bartleby would + surely be less inflexible than usual, and carry these letters to the post-office. + But he blankly declined. So, much to my inconvenience, I went myself.
+Still added days went by. Whether Bartleby's eyes improved or not, I could + not say. To all appearance, I thought they did. But when I asked him if + they did, he vouchsafed no answer. At all events, he would do no copying. + At last, in reply to my urgings, he informed me that he had permanently + given up copying.
+"What!" exclaimed I; "suppose your eyes should get entirely well- better + than ever before--would you not copy then?"
+"I have given up copying," he answered, and slid aside.
+He remained as ever, a fixture in my chamber. Nay--if that were possible--he + became still more of a fixture than before. What was to be done? He would + do nothing in the office: why should he stay there? In plain fact, he had + now become a millstone to me, not only useless as a necklace, but afflictive + to bear. Yet I was sorry for him. I speak less than truth when I say that, + on his own account, he occasioned me uneasiness. If he would but have named + a single relative or friend, I would instantly have written, and urged + their taking the poor fellow away to some convenient retreat. But he seemed + alone, absolutely alone in the universe. A bit of wreck</font> in + the mid Atlantic. At length, necessities connected with my business tyrannized + over all other considerations. Decently as I could, I told Bartleby that + in six days' time he must unconditionally leave the office. I warned him + to take measures, in the interval, for procuring some other abode. I offered + to assist him in this endeavor, if he himself would but take the first + step towards a removal. "And when you finally quit me, Bartleby," added + I, "I shall see that you go not away entirely unprovided. Six days from + this hour, remember."
+At the expiration of that period, I peeped behind the screen, and lo! + Bartleby was there.
+I buttoned up my coat, balanced myself; advanced slowly towards him, touched + his shoulder, and said, "The time has come; you must quit this place; I + am sorry for you; here is money; but you must go."
+"I would prefer not," he replied, with his back still towards me.
+"You must."
+He remained silent.
+Now I had an unbounded confidence in this man's common honesty. He had + frequently restored to me six pences and shillings carelessly dropped upon + the floor, for I am apt to be very reckless in such shirt-button affairs. + The proceeding then which followed will not be deemed extraordinary. "Bartleby," + said I, "I owe you twelve dollars on account; here are thirty-two; the + odd twenty are yours.--Will you take it? and I handed the bills towards + him.
+But he made no motion.
+"I will leave them here then," putting them under a weight on the table. + Then taking my hat and cane and going to the door I tranquilly turned and + added--"After you have removed your things from these offices, Bartleby, + you will of course lock the door--since every one is now gone for the day + but you--and if you please, slip your key underneath the mat, so that I + may have it in the morning. I shall not see you again; so good-bye to you. + If hereafter in your new place of abode I can be of any service to you, + do not fail to advise me by letter. Good-bye, Bartleby, and fare you well."
+But he answered not a word; like the last column of some ruined temple, + he remained standing mute and solitary in the middle of the otherwise deserted + room.
+As I walked home in a pensive mood, my vanity got the better of my pity. + I could not but highly plume myself on my masterly management in getting + rid of Bartleby. Masterly I call it, and such it must appear to any dispassionate + thinker. The beauty of my procedure seemed to consist in its perfect quietness. + There was no vulgar bullying, no bravado of any sort, no choleric hectoring + and striding to and fro across the apartment, jerking out vehement commands + for Bartleby to bundle himself off with his beggarly traps. Nothing of + the kind. Without loudly bidding Bartleby depart--as an inferior genius + might have done--I assumed the ground that depart he must; and upon the + assumption built all I had to say. The more I thought over my procedure, + the more I was charmed with it. Nevertheless, next morning, upon awakening, + I had my doubts,--I had somehow slept off the fumes of vanity. One of the + coolest and wisest hours a man has, is just after he awakes in the morning. + My procedure seemed as sagacious as ever,--but only in theory. How it would + prove in practice--there was the rub. It was truly a beautiful thought + to have assumed Bartleby's departure; but, after all, that assumption was + simply my own, and none of Bartleby's. The great point was, not whether + I had assumed that he would quit me, but whether he would prefer so to + do. He was more a man of preferences than assumptions.
+After breakfast, I walked down town, arguing the probabilities pro and + con. One moment I thought it would prove a miserable failure, and Bartleby + would be found all alive at my office as usual; the next moment it seemed + certain that I should see his chair empty. And so I kept veering about. + At the corner of Broadway and Canal- street, I saw quite an excited group + of people standing in earnest conversation.
+"I'll take odds he doesn't," said a voice as I passed.
+"Doesn't go?--done!" said I, "put up your money."
+I was instinctively putting my hand in my pocket to produce my own, when + I remembered that this was an election day. The words I had overheard bore + no reference to Bartleby, but to the success or non-success of some candidate + for the mayoralty. In my intent frame of mind, I had, as it were, imagined + that all Broadway shared in my excitement, and were debating the same question + with me. I passed on, very thankful that the uproar of the street screened + my momentary absent-mindedness.
+As I had intended, I was earlier than usual at my office door. I stood + listening for a moment. All was still. He must be gone. I tried the knob. + The door was locked. Yes, my procedure had worked to a charm; he indeed + must be vanished. Yet a certain melancholy mixed with this: I was almost + sorry for my brilliant success. I was fumbling under the door mat for the + key, which Bartleby was to have left there for me, when accidentally my + knee knocked against a panel, producing a summoning sound, and in response + a voice came to me from within--"Not yet; I am occupied."
+It was Bartleby.
+I was thunderstruck. For an instant I stood like the man who, pipe in + mouth, was killed one cloudless afternoon long ago in Virginia, by summer + lightning; at his own warm open window he was killed, and remained leaning + out there upon the dreamy afternoon, till some one touched him, when he + fell. "Not gone!" I murmured at last. But again obeying that wondrous ascendancy + which the inscrutable scrivener had over me, and from which ascendancy, + for all my chafing, I could not completely escape, I slowly went down stairs + and out into the street, and while walking round the block, considered + what I should next do in this unheard-of-perplexity. Turn the man out by + an actual thrusting I could not; to drive him away by calling him hard + names would not do; calling in the police was an unpleasant idea; and yet, + permit him to enjoy his cadaverous triumph over me,--this too I could not + think of. What was to be done? or, if nothing could be done, was there + any thing further that I could assume in the matter? Yes, as before I had + prospectively assumed that Bartleby would depart, so now I might retrospectively + assume that departed he was. In the legitimate carrying out of this assumption, + I might enter my office in a great hurry, and pretending not to see Bartleby + at all, walk straight against him as if he were air. Such a proceeding + would in a singular degree have the appearance of a home-thrust. It was + hardly possible that Bartleby could withstand such an application of the + doctrine of assumptions. But upon second thoughts the success of the plan + seemed rather dubious. I resolved to argue the matter over with him again.
+Bartleby," said I, entering the office, with a quietly severe expression. + "I am seriously displeased. I am pained, Bartleby. I had thought better + of you. I had imagined you of such a gentlemanly organization, that in + any delicate dilemma a slight hint would suffice--in short, an assumption. + But it appears I am deceived. Why," I added, unaffectedly starting, "you + have not even touched the money yet," pointing to it, just where I had + left it the evening previous.
+He answered nothing.
+"Will you, or will you not, quit me?" I now demanded in a sudden passion, + advancing close to him.
+"I would prefer not to quit you," he replied, gently emphasizing + the not.
+"What earthly right have you to stay here? do you pay any rent? Do you + pay my taxes? Or is this property yours?"
+He answered nothing.
+"Are you ready to go on and write now? Are your eyes recovered? Could + you copy a small paper for me this morning? or help examine a few lines? + or step round to the post-office? In a word, will you do any thing at all, + to give a coloring to your refusal to depart the premises?"
+He silently retired into his hermitage.
+I was now in such a state of nervous resentment that I thought it but + prudentto check myself at present from further demonstrations. Bartleby + and I were alone. I remembered the tragedy of the unfortunate Adams and + the still more unfortunate Colt in the solitary office of the latter; and + how poor Colt, being dreadfully incensed by Adams, and imprudently permitting + himself to get wildly excited, was at unawares hurried into his fatal act--an + act which certainly no man could possibly deplore more than the actor himself. + Often it had occurred to me in my ponderings upon the subject, that had + that altercation taken place in the public street, or at a private residence, + it would not have terminated as it did. It was the circumstance of being + alone in a solitary office, up stairs, of a building entirely unhallowed + by humanizing domestic associations--an uncarpeted office, doubtless of + a dusty, haggard sort of appearance;--this it must have been, which greatly + helped to enhance the irritable desperation of the hapless Colt.
+But when this old Adam of resentment rose in me and tempted me concerning + Bartleby, I grappled him and threw him. How? Why, simply by recalling the + divine injunction: "A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one + another." Yes, this it was that saved me. Aside from higher considerations, + charity often operates as a vastly wise and prudent principle--a great + safeguard to its possessor. Men have committed murder for jealousy's sake, + and anger's sake, and hatred's sake, and selfishness' sake, and spiritual + pride's sake; but no man that ever I heard of, ever committed a diabolical + murder for sweet charity's sake. Mere self-interest, then, if no better + motive can be enlisted, should, especially with high-tempered men, prompt + all beings to charity and philanthropy. At any rate, upon the occasion + in question, I strove to drown my exasperated feelings towards the scrivener + by benevolently construing his conduct. Poor fellow, poor fellow! thought + I, he don't mean any thing; and besides, he has seen hard times, and ought + to be indulged.
+I endeavored also immediately to occupy myself, and at the same time to + comfort my despondency.I tried to fancy that in the course of the morning, + at such time as might prove agreeable to him, Bartleby, of his own free + accord, would emerge from his hermitage, and take up some decided line + of march in the direction of the door. But no. Half-past twelve o'clock + came; Turkey began to glow in the face, overturn his inkstand, and become + generally obstreperous; Nippers abated down into quietude and courtesy; + Ginger Nut munched his noon apple; and Bartleby remained standing at his + window in one of his profoundest deadwall reveries. Will it be credited? + Ought I to acknowledge it? That afternoon I left the office without saying + one further word to him.
+Some days now passed, during which, at leisure intervals I looked a little + into Edwards on the Will," and "Priestly on Necessity." Under the circumstances, + those books induced a salutary feeling. Gradually I slid into the persuasion + that these troubles of mine touching the scrivener, had been all predestinated + from eternity, and Bartleby was billeted upon me for some mysterious purpose + of an all-wise Providence, which it was not for a mere mortal like me to + fathom. Yes, Bartleby, stay there behind your screen, thought I; I shall + persecute you no more; you are harmless and noiseless as any of these old + chairs; in short, I never feel so private as when I know you are here. + At least I see it, I feel it; I penetrate to the predestinated purpose + of my life. I am content. Others may have loftier parts to enact; but my + mission in this world, Bartleby, is to furnish you with office-room for + such period as you may see fit to remain.
+I believe that this wise and blessed frame of mind would have continued + with me, had it not been for the unsolicited and uncharitable remarks obtruded + upon me by my professional friends who visited the rooms. But thus it often + is, that the constant friction of illiberal minds wears out at last the + best resolves of the more generous. Though to be sure, when I reflected + upon it, it was not strange that people entering my office should be struck + by the peculiar aspect of the unaccountable Bartleby, and so be tempted + to throw out some sinister observations concerning him. Sometimes an attorney + having business with me, and calling at my office, and finding no one but + the scrivener there, would undertake to obtain some sort of precise information + from him touching my whereabouts; but without heeding his idle talk, Bartleby + would remain standing immovable in the middle of the room. So after contemplating + him in that position for a time, the attorney would depart, no wiser than + he came.
+Also, when a Reference was going on, and the room full of lawyers and + witnesses and business was driving fast; some deeply occupied legal gentleman + present, seeing Bartleby wholly unemployed, would request him to run round + to his (the legal gentleman's) office and fetch some papers for him. Thereupon, + Bartleby would tranquilly decline, and remain idle as before. Then the + lawyer would give a great stare, and turn to me. And what could I say? + At last I was made aware that all through the circle of my professional + acquaintance, a whisper of wonder was running round, having reference to + the strange creature I kept at my office. This worried me very much. And + as the idea came upon me of his possibly turning out a long-lived man, + and keep occupying my chambers, and denying my authority; and perplexing + my visitors; and scandalizing my professional reputation; and casting a + general gloom over the premises; keeping soul and body together to the + last upon his savings (for doubtless he spent but half a dime a day), and + in the end perhaps outlive me, and claim possession of my office by right + of his perpetual occupancy: as all these dark anticipations crowded upon + me more and more, and my friends continually intruded their relentless + remarks upon the apparition in my room; a great change was wrought in me. + I resolved to gather all my faculties together, and for ever rid me of + this intolerable incubus.
+Ere revolving any complicated project, however, adapted to this end, I + first simply suggested to Bartleby the propriety of his permanent departure. + In a calm and serious tone, I commended the idea to his careful and mature + consideration. But having taken three days to meditate upon it, he apprised + me that his original determination remained the same; in short, that he + still preferred to abide with me.
+What shall I do? I now said to myself, buttoning up my coat to the last + button. What shall I do? what ought I to do? what does conscience say I + should do with this man, or rather ghost. Rid myself of him, I must; go, + he shall. But how? You will not thrust him, the poor, pale, passive mortal,--you + will not thrust such a helpless creature out of your door? you will not + dishonor yourself by such cruelty? No, I will not, I cannot do that. Rather + would I let him live and die here, and then mason up his remains in the + wall. What then will you do? For all your coaxing, he will not budge. Bribes + he leaves under your own paperweight on your table; in short, it is quite + plain that he prefers to cling to you.
+Then something severe, something unusual must be done. What! surely you + will not have him collared by a constable, and commit his innocent pallor + to the common jail? And upon what ground could you procure such a thing + to be done?--a vagrant, is he? What! he a vagrant, a wanderer, who refuses + to budge? It is because he will not be a vagrant, then, that you seek to + count him as a vagrant. That is too absurd. No visible means of support: + there I have him. Wrong again: for indubitably he does support himself, + and that is the only unanswerable proof that any man can show of his possessing + the means so to do. No more then. Since he will not quit me, I must quit + him. I will change my offices; I will move elsewhere; and give him fair + notice, that if I find him on my new premises I will then proceed against + him as a common trespasser.
+Acting accordingly, next day I thus addressed him: "I find these chambers + too far from the City Hall; the air is unwholesome. In a word, I propose + to remove my offices next week, and shall no longer require your services. + I tell you this now, in order that you may seek another place."
+He made no reply, and nothing more was said.
+On the appointed day I engaged carts and men, proceeded to my chambers, + and having but little furniture, every thing was removed in a few hours. + Throughout, the scrivener remained standing behind the screen, which I + directed to be removed the last thing. It was withdrawn; and being folded + up like a huge folio, left him the motionless occupant of a naked room. + I stood in the entry watching him a moment, while something from within + me upbraided me.
+I re-entered, with my hand in my pocket--and--and my heart in my mouth.
+"Good-bye, Bartleby; I am going--good-bye, and God some way bless you; + and take that," slipping something in his hand. But it dropped to the floor, + and then,--strange to say--I tore myself from him whom I had so longed + to be rid of.
+Established in my new quarters, for a day or two I kept the door locked, + and started at every footfall in the passages. When I returned to my rooms + after any little absence, I would pause at the threshold for an instant, + and attentively listen, ere applying my key. But these fears were needless. + Bartleby never came nigh me.
+I thought all was going well, when a perturbed looking stranger visited + me, inquiring whether I was the person who had recently occupied rooms + at No.--Wall-street.
+Full of forebodings, I replied that I was.
+"Then, sir," said the stranger, who proved a lawyer, "you are responsible + for the man you left there. He refuses to do any copying; he refuses to + do any thing; he says he prefers not to; and he refuses to quit the premises."
+"I am very sorry, sir," said I, with assumed tranquillity, but an inward + tremor, "but, really, the man you allude to is nothing to me --he is no + relation or apprentice of mine, that you should hold me responsible for + him."
+"In mercy's name, who is he?"
+"I certainly cannot inform you. I know nothing about him. Formerly I employed + him as a copyist; but he has done nothing for me now for some time past."
+"I shall settle him then,--good morning, sir."
+Several days passed, and I heard nothing more; and though I often felt + a charitable prompting to call at the place and see poor Bartleby, yet + a certain squeamishness of I know not what withheld me.
+All is over with him, by this time, thought I at last, when through another + week no further intelligence reached me. But coming to my room the day + after, I found several persons waiting at my door in a high state of nervous + excitement.
+"That's the man--here he comes," cried the foremost one, whom recognized + as the lawyer who had previously called upon me alone.
+"You must take him away, sir, at once," cried a portly person among them, + advancing upon me, and whom I knew to be the landlord of No.--Wall-street. + "These gentlemen, my tenants, cannot stand it any longer; Mr. B--" pointing + to the lawyer, "has turned him out of his room, and he now persists in + haunting the buildinggenerally, sitting upon the banisters of the stairs + by day, and sleeping in the entry by night. Every body is concerned; clients + are leaving the offices; some fears are entertained of a mob; something + you must do, and that without delay."
+Aghast at this torment, I fell back before it, and would fain have locked + myselfin my new quarters. In vain I persisted that Bartleby was nothing + to me--no more than to any one else. In vain:--I was the last person known + to have any thing to do with him, and they held me to the terrible account. + Fearful then of being exposed in the papers (as one person present obscurely + threatened) I considered the matter, and at length said, that if the lawyer + would give me a confidential interview with the scrivener, in his (the + lawyer's) own room, I would that afternoon strive my best to rid them of + the nuisance they complained of.
+Going up stairs to my old haunt, there was Bartleby silently sitting upon + the banister at the landing.
+"What are you doing here, Bartleby?" said I.
+"Sitting upon the banister," he mildly replied.
+I motioned him into the lawyer's room, who then left us.
+"Bartleby," said I, "are you aware that you are the cause of great tribulation + to me, by persisting in occupying the entry after being dismissed from + the office?"
+No answer.
+"Now one of two things must take place. Either you must do something or + something must be done to you. Now what sort of business would you like + to engage in? Would you like to re-engage in copying for some one?"
+"No; I would prefer not to make any change."
+"Would you like a clerkship in a dry-goods store?"
+"There is too much confinement about that. No, I would not like a clerkship; + but I am not particular."
+"Too much confinement," I cried, "why you keep yourself confined all the + time!"
+"I would prefer not to take a clerkship," he rejoined, as if to settle + that little item at once.
+"How would a bar-tender's business suit you? There is no trying of the + eyesight in that."
+"I would not like it at all; though, as I said before, I am not particular."
+His unwonted wordiness inspirited me. I returned to the charge.
+"Well then, would you like to travel through the country collecting bills + for the merchants? That would improve your health."
+"No, I would prefer to be doing something else."
+"How then would going as a companion to Europe, to entertain some young + gentleman with your conversation,--how would that suit you?"
+"Not at all. It does not strike me that there is any thing definite about + that. I like to be stationary. But I am not particular.
+"Stationary you shall be then," I cried, now losing all patience, and + for the first time in all my exasperating connection with him fairly flying + into a passion. "If you do not go away from these premises before night, + I shall feel bound--indeed I am bound--to-- to--to quit the premises myself!" + I rather absurdly concluded, knowing not with what possible threat to try + to frighten his immobility into compliance. Despairing of all further efforts, + I was precipitately leaving him, when a final thought occurred to me--one + which had not been wholly unindulged before.
+"Bartleby," said I, in the kindest tone I could assume under such exciting + circumstances, "will you go home with me now--not to my office, but my + dwelling--and remain there till we can conclude upon some convenient arrangement + for you at our leisure? Come, let us start now, right away."
+"No: at present I would prefer not to make any change at all."
+I answered nothing; but effectualy dodging every one by the suddenness + and rapidity of my flight, rushed from the building, ran up Wall-street + towards Broadway, and jumping into the first omnibus was soon removed from + pursuit. As soon as tranquility returned I distinctly perceived that I + had now done all that I possibly could, both in respect to the demands + of the landlord and his tenants, and with regard to my own desire and sense + of duty, to benefit Bartleby, and shield him from rude persecution. I now + strove to be entirely care-free and quiescent; and my conscience justified + me in the attempt; though indeed it was not so successful as I could have + wished. So fearful was I of being again hunted out by the incensed landlord + and his exasperated tenants, that, surrendering my business to Nippers, + for a few days I drove about the upper part of the town and through the + suburbs, in my rockaway; crossed over to Jersey City and Hoboken, and paid + fugitive visits to Manhattanville and Astoria. In fact I almost lived in + my rockaway for the time.
+When again I entered my office, lo, a note from the landlord lay upon + desk. opened it with trembling hands. informed me that writer had sent + to police, and Bartleby removed the Tombs as a vagrant. Moreover, since + I knew more about him than any one else, he wished me to appear at that + place, and make a suitable statement of the facts. These tidings had a + conflicting effect upon me. At first I was indignant; but at last almost + approved. The landlord's energetic, summary disposition, had led him to + adopt a procedure which I do not think I would have decided upon myself; + and yet as a last resort, under such peculiar circumstances, it seemed + the only plan.
+As I afterwards learned, the poor scrivener, when told that he must be + conducted to the Tombs, offered not the slightest obstacle, but in his + pale unmoving way, silently acquiesced.
+Some of the compassionate and curious bystanders joined the party; and + headed by one of the constables arm in arm with Bartleby, the silent procession + filed its way through all the noise, and heat, and joy of the roaring thoroughfares + at noon.
+The same day I received the note I went to the Tombs, or to speak more + properly, the Halls of Justice. Seeking the right officer, I stated the + purpose of my call, and was informed that the individual I described was + indeed within. I then assured the functionary that Bartleby was a perfectly + honest man, and greatly to be compassionated, however unaccountably eccentric. + I narrated all I knew,and closed by suggesting the idea of letting him + remain in as indulgent confinement as possible till something less harsh + might be done--though indeed I hardly knew what. At all events, if nothing + else could be decided upon, the alms-house must receive him. I then begged + to have an interview.
+Being under no disgraceful charge, and quite serene and harmless in all + his ways, they had permitted him freely to wander about the prison, and + especially in the inclosed grass-platted yards thereof. And so I found + him there, standing all alone in the quietest of the yards, his face towards + a high wall, while all around, from the narrow slits of the jail windows, + I thought I saw peering out upon him the eyes of murderers and thieves.
+"Bartleby!"
+"I know you," he said, without looking round,--"and I want nothing to + say to you."
+"It was not I that brought you here, Bartleby," said I, keenly pained + at his implied suspicion. "And to you, this should not be so vile a place. + Nothing reproachful attaches to you by being here. And see, it is not so + sad a place as one might think. Look, there is the sky, and here is the + grass."
+"I know where I am," he replied, but would say nothing more, and so I + left him.
+As I entered the corridor again, a broad meat-like man in an apron, accosted + me, and jerking his thumb over his shoulder said--"Is that your friend?"
+"Yes."
+"Does he want to starve? If he does, let him live on the prison fare, + that's all.
+"Who are you?" asked I, not knowing what to make of such an unofficially + speaking person in such a place.
+"I am the grub-man. Such gentlemen as have friends here, hire me to provide + them with something good to eat."
+"Is this so?" said I, turning to the turnkey.
+He said it was.
+"Well then," said I, slipping some silver into the grub-man's hands (for + so they called him). "I want you to give particular attention to my friend + there; let him have the best dinner you can get. And you must be as polite + to him as possible."
+"Introduce me, will you?" said the grub-man, looking at me with an expression + which seemed to say he was all impatience for an opportunity to give a + specimen of his breeding.
+Thinking it would prove of benefit to the scrivener, I acquiesced; and + asking the grub-man his name, went up with him to Bartleby.
+"Bartleby, this is a friend; you will find him very useful to you."
+"Your sarvant, sir, your sarvant," said the grub-man, making a low salutation + behind his apron. "Hope you find it pleasant here, sir;--spacious grounds--cool + apartments, sir--hope you'll stay with us some time--try to make it agreeable. + What will you have for dinner today?"
+"I prefer not to dine to-day," said Bartleby, turning away. "It would + disagree with me; I am unused to dinners." So saying he slowly moved to + the other side of the inclosure, and took up a position fronting the dead-wall.
+"How's this?" said the grub-man, addressing me with a stare of astonishment. + "He's odd, aint he?"
+"I think he is a little deranged," said I, sadly.
+"Deranged? deranged is it? Well now, upon my word, I thought that friend + of yourn was a gentleman forger; they are always pale and genteel-like, + them forgers. I can't help pity 'em--can't help it, sir. Did you know Monroe + Edwards?" he added touchingly, and paused. Then, laying his hand pityingly + on my shoulder, sighed, "he died of consumption at Sing-Sing. so you weren't + acquainted with Monroe?"
+"No, I was never socially acquainted with any forgers. But I cannot stop + longer. Look to my friend yonder. You will not lose by it. I will see you + again."
+Some few days after this, I again obtained admission to the Tombs, and + went through the corridors in quest of Bartleby; but without finding him.
+"I saw him coming from his cell not long ago," said a turnkey, "may be + he's gone to loiter in the yards."
+So I went in that direction.
+"Are you looking for the silent man?" said another turnkey passing me. + "Yonder he lies--sleeping in the yard there. 'Tis not twenty minutes since + I saw him lie down."
+The yard was entirely quiet. It was not accessible to the common prisoners. + The surrounding walls, of amazing thickness, kept off all sound behind + them. The Egyptian character of the masonry weighed upon me with its gloom. + But a soft imprisoned turf grew under foot. The heart of the eternal pyramids, + it seemed, wherein, by some strange magic, through the clefts, grass-seed, + dropped by birds, had sprung.
+Strangely huddled at the base of the wall, his knees drawn up, and lying + on his side, his head touching the cold stones, I saw the wasted Bartleby. + But nothing stirred. I paused; then went close up to him; stooped over, + and saw that his dim eyes were open; otherwise he seemed profoundly sleeping. + Something prompted me to touch him. I felt his hand, when a tingling shiver + ran up my arm and down my spine to my feet.
+The round face of the grub-man peered upon me now. "His dinner is ready. + Won't he dine to-day, either? Or does he live without dining?"
+"Lives without dining," said I, and closed the eyes.
+"Eh!--He's asleep, aint he?"
+"With kings and counsellors," murmured I.
+* * * * * * * *
+There would seem little need for proceeding further in this history. Imagination + will readily supply the meagre recital of poor Bartleby's interment. But + ere parting with the reader, let me say, that if this little narrative + has sufficiently interested him, to awaken curiosity as to who Bartleby + was, and what manner of life he led prior to the present narrator's making + his acquaintance, I can only reply, that in such curiosity I fully share, + but am wholly unable to gratify it. Yet here I hardly know whether I should + divulge one little item of rumor, which came to my ear a few months after + the scrivener's decease. Upon what basis it rested, I could never ascertain; + and hence how true it is I cannot now tell. But inasmuch as this vague + report has not been without a certain strange suggestive interest to me, + however said, it may prove the same with some others; and so I will briefly + mention it. The report was this: that Bartleby had been a subordinate clerk + in the Dead Letter Office at Washington, from which he had been suddenly removed + by a change in the administration. When I think over this rumor, I cannot + adequately express the emotions which seize me. Dead letters! does it not + sound like dead men? Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a + pallid hopelessness, can any business seem more fitted to heighten it than + that of continually handling these dead letters and assorting them for + the flames? For by the cart-load they are annually burned. Sometimes from + out the folded paper the pale clerk takes a ring:--the bank-note sent in + swiftest charity:--he whom it would relieve, nor eats nor hungers any more; + pardon for those who died despairing; hope for those who died unhoping; + good tidings for those who died stifled by unrelieved calamities. On errands + of life, these letters speed to death.
+Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity!
+
+ 