HadyoubeenintheearlieryearsofyourlifeacitizenofthevillageofWinesburg，Ohio，therewouldhavebeenforyounomysteryinregardtothebeastinhiscage。\"ItislikeWashWilliams，\"youwouldhavesaid。\"Ashesitsinthecornerthere，thebeastisexactlylikeoldWashsittingonthegrassinthestationyardonasummereveningafterhehasclosedhisofficeforthenight。\"
WashWilliams，thetelegraphoperatorofWines-
burg，wastheugliestthingintown。Hisgirthwasimmense，hisneckthin，hislegsfeeble。Hewasdirty。Everythingabouthimwasunclean。Eventhewhitesofhiseyeslookedsoiled。
Igotoofast。NoteverythingaboutWashwasun-
clean。Hetookcareofhishands。Hisfingerswerefat，buttherewassomethingsensitiveandshapelyinthehandthatlayonthetablebytheinstrumentinthetelegraphoffice。InhisyouthWashWilliamshadbeencalledthebesttelegraphoperatorinthestate，andinspiteofhisdegradementtotheobscureofficeatWinesburg，hewasstillproudofhisability。