CHAPTERXX
Thejutemillsfailedofitsagreementtoincreasemypaytoadollarandaquarteraday，andI，afree-bornAmericanboywhosedirectancestorshadfoughtinallthewarsfromtheoldpre-
RevolutionaryIndianwarsdown，exercisedmysovereignrightoffreecontractbyquittingthejob。
Iwasstillresolvedtosettledown，andIlookedaboutme。Onethingwasclear。Unskilledlabourdidn’tpay。Imustlearnatrade，andIdecidedonelectricity。Theneedforelectricianswasconstantlygrowing。Buthowtobecomeanelectrician？I
hadn’tthemoneytogotoatechnicalschooloruniversity；
besides，Ididn’tthinkmuchofschools。Iwasapracticalmaninapracticalworld。Also，IstillbelievedintheoldmythswhichweretheheritageoftheAmericanboywhenIwasaboy。
AcanalboycouldbecomeaPresident。Anyboywhotookemploymentwithanyfirmcould，bythrift，energy，andsobriety，learnthebusinessandrisefrompositiontopositionuntilhewastakeninasajuniorpartner。Afterthattheseniorpartnershipwasonlyamatteroftime。Veryoften——soranthemyth——theboy，byreasonofhissteadinessandapplication，marriedhisemploy’sdaughter。
BythistimeIhadbeenencouragedtosuchfaithinmyselfinthematterofgirlsthatIwasquitecertainIwouldmarrymyemployer’sdaughter。Therewasn’tadoubtofit。Allthelittleboysinthemythsdiditassoonastheywereoldenough。
SoIbadefarewellforevertotheadventure-path，andwentouttothepowerplantofoneofourOaklandstreetrailways。Isawthesuperintendenthimself，inaprivateofficesofinethatitalmoststunnedme。ButItalkedstraightup。ItoldhimIwantedtobecomeapracticalelectrician，thatIwasunafraidofwork，thatIwasusedtohardwork，andthatallhehadtodowaslookatmetoseeIwasfitandstrong。ItoldhimthatIwantedtobeginrightatthebottomandworkup，thatIwantedtodevotemylifetothisoneoccupationandthisoneemployment。
Thesuperintendentbeamedashelistened。HetoldmethatIwastherightstuffforsuccess，andthathebelievedinencouragingAmericanyouththatwantedtorise。Why，employerswerealwaysonthelookoutforyoungfellowslikeme，andalas，theyfoundthemalltoorarely。Myambitionwasfineandworthy，andhewouldseetoitthatIgotmychance。（AndasIlistenedwithswellingheart，IwonderedifitwashisdaughterIwastomarry。）
\"Beforeyoucangooutontheroadandlearnthemorecomplicatedandhigherdetailsoftheprofession，\"hesaid，\"youwill，ofcourse，havetoworkinthecar-housewiththemenwhoinstallandrepairthemotors。（BythistimeIwassurethatitwashisdaughter，andIwaswonderinghowmuchstockhemightowninthecompany。）
\"But，\"hesaid，\"asyouyourselfsoplainlysee，youcouldn’texpecttobeginasahelpertothecar-houseelectricians。Thatwillcomewhenyouhaveworkeduptoit。Youwillreallybeginatthebottom。Inthecar-houseyourfirstemploymentwillbesweepingup，washingthewindows，keepingthingsclean。Andafteryouhaveshownyourselfsatisfactoryatthat，thenyoumaybecomeahelpertothecar-houseelectricians。\"
Ididn’tseehowsweepingandscrubbingabuildingwasanypreparationforthetradeofelectrician；butIdidknowthatinthebooksalltheboysstartedwiththemostmenialtasksandbymakinggoodultimatelywontotheownershipofthewholeconcern。
\"WhenshallIcometowork？\"Iasked，eagertolaunchonthisdazzlingcareer。
\"But，\"saidthesuperintendent，\"asyouandIhavealreadyagreed，youmustbeginatthebottom。Notimmediatelycanyouinanycapacityenterthecar-house。Beforethatyoumustpassthroughtheengine-roomasanoiler。\"
MyheartwentdownslightlyandforthemomentasIsawtheroadlengthenbetweenhisdaughterandme；thenitroseagain。Iwouldbeabetterelectricianwithknowledgeofsteamengines。Asanoilerinthegreatengine-roomIwasconfidentthatfewthingsconcerningsteamwouldescapeme。Heavens！Mycareershonemoredazzlingthanever。
\"WhenshallIcometowork？\"Iaskedgratefully。
\"But，\"saidthesuperintendent，\"youcouldnotexpecttoenterimmediatelyintotheengine-room。Theremustbepreparationforthat。Andthroughthefire-room，ofcourse。Come，youseethematterclearly，Iknow。Andyouwillseethateventhemerehandlingofcoalisascientificmatterandnottobesneeredat。
Doyouknowthatweweigheverypoundofcoalweburn？Thus，welearnthevalueofthecoalwebuy；weknowtoateethelastpennyofcostofeveryitemofproduction，andwelearnwhichfiremenarethemostwasteful，whichfiremen，outofstupidityorcarelessness，gettheleastoutofthecoaltheyfire。\"Thesuperintendentbeamedagain。\"Youseehowveryimportantthelittlematterofcoalis，andbyasmuchasyoulearnofthislittlematteryouwillbecomethatmuchbetteraworkman——morevaluabletous，morevaluabletoyourself。Now，areyoupreparedtobegin？\"
\"Anytime，\"Isaidvaliantly。\"Thesoonerthebetter。\"
\"Verywell，\"heanswered。\"Youwillcometo-morrowmorningatseveno’clock。\"
Iwastakenoutandshownmyduties。Also，Iwastoldthetermsofmyemployment——aten-hourday，everydayinthemonthincludingSundaysandholidays，withonedayoffeachmonth，withasalaryofthirtydollarsamonth。Itwasn’texciting。Yearsbefore，atthecannery，Ihadearnedadollaradayforaten-hourday。I
consoledmyselfwiththethoughtthatthereasonmyearningcapacityhadnotincreasedwithmyyearsandstrengthwasbecauseIhadremainedanunskilledlabourer。Butitwasdifferentnow。
Iwasbeginningtoworkforskill，foratrade，forcareerandfortune，andthesuperintendent’sdaughter。
AndIwasbeginningintherightway——rightatthebeginning。
Thatwasthething。Iwaspassingcoaltothefiremen，whoshovelleditintothefurnaces，whereitsenergywastransformedintosteam，which，intheengine-room，wastransformedintotheelectricitywithwhichtheelectriciansworked。Thispassingcoalwassurelytheverybeginning-unlessthesuperintendentshouldtakeitintohisheadtosendmetoworkintheminesfromwhichthecoalcameinordertogetacompleterunderstandingofthegenesisofelectricityforstreetrailways。
Work！I，whohadworkedwithmen，foundthatIdidn’tknowthefirstthingaboutrealwork。Aten-hourday！Ihadtopasscoalforthedayandnightshifts，and，despiteworkingthroughthenoon-hour，Ineverfinishedmytaskbeforeeightatnight。Iwasworkingatwelve-tothirteen-hourday，andIwasn’tbeingpaidovertimeasinthecannery。
Imightaswellgivethesecretawayrighthere。Iwasdoingtheworkoftwomen。Beforeme，onematureable-bodiedlabourerhaddonethedayshiftandanotherequallymatureable-bodiedlabourerhaddonethenight-shift。Theyhadreceivedfortydollarsamontheach。Thesuperintendent，bentonaneconomicaladministration，hadpersuadedmetodotheworkofbothmenforthirtydollarsamonth。Ithoughthewasmakinganelectricianofme。Intruthandfact，hewassavingfiftydollarsamonthoperatingexpensestothecompany。
ButIdidn’tknowIwasdisplacingtwomen。Nobodytoldme。Onthecontrary，thesuperintendentwarnedeverybodynottotellme。
HowvaliantlyIwentatitthatfirstday。Iworkedattopspeed，fillingtheironwheelbarrowwithcoal，runningitonthescalesandweighingtheload，thentrundlingitintothefire-roomanddumpingitontheplatesbeforethefires。
Work！IdidmorethanthetwomenwhomIhaddisplaced。Theyhadmerelywheeledinthecoalanddumpeditontheplates。ButwhileIdidthisforthedaycoal，thenightcoalIhadtopileagainstthewallofthefire-room。Nowthefire-roomwassmall。Ithadbeenplannedforanightcoal-passer。SoIhadtopilethenightcoalhigherandhigher，buttressinguptheheapwithstoutplanks。
TowardthetopoftheheapIhadtohandlethecoalasecondtime，tossingitupwithashovel。
Idrippedwithsweat，butIneverceasedfrommystride，thoughI
couldfeelexhaustioncomingon。Byteno’clockinthemorning，somuchofmybody’senergyhadIconsumed，Ifelthungryandsnatchedathickdouble-sliceofbreadandbutterfrommydinnerpail。ThisIdevoured，standing，grimedwithcoal-dust，mykneestremblingunderme。Byeleveno’clock，inthisfashionIhadconsumedmywholelunch。Butwhatofit？Irealisedthatitwouldenablemetocontinueworkingthroughthenoonhour。AndIworkedalltheafternoon。Darknesscameon，andIworkedundertheelectriclights。Thedayfiremanwentoffandthenightfiremancameon。Ipluggedaway。
Athalf-pasteight，famished，tottering，Iwashedup，changedmyclothes，anddraggedmywearybodytothecar。ItwasthreemilestowhereIlived，andIhadreceivedapasswiththestipulationthatIcouldsitdownaslongastherewerenopayingpassengersinneedofaseat。AsIsankintoacorneroutsideseatIprayedthatnopassengermightrequiremyseat。Butthecarfilledup，and，half-wayin，awomancameonboard，andtherewasnoseatforher。Istartedtogetup，andtomyastonishmentfoundthatI
couldnot。Withthechillwindblowingonme，myspentbodyhadstiffenedintotheseat。Ittookmetherestoftherunintounkinkmycomplainingjointsandmusclesandgetintoastandingpositiononthelowerstep。AndwhenthecarstoppedatmycornerInearlyfelltothegroundwhenIsteppedoff。
Ihobbledtwoblockstothehouseandlimpedintothekitchen。
Whilemymotherstartedtocook，Iplungedintobreadandbutter；
butbeforemyappetitewasappeased，orthesteakfried，Iwassoundasleep。Invainmymotherstrovetoshakemeawakeenoughtoeatthemeat。Failinginthis，withtheassistanceofmyfathershemanagedtogetmetomyroom，whereIcollapseddeadasleeponthebed。Theyundressedmeandcoveredmeup。Inthemorningcametheagonyofbeingawakened。Iwasterriblysore，and，worstofall，mywristswereswelling。ButImadeupformylostsupper，eatinganenormousbreakfast，andwhenIhobbledtocatchmycarIcarriedalunchtwiceasbigastheonethedaybefore。
Work！Letanyyouthjustturnedeighteentrytoout-shoveltwoman-growncoal-shovellers。Work！LongbeforemiddayIhadeatenthelastscrapofmyhugelunch。ButIwasresolvedtoshowthemwhatahuskyyoungfellowdeterminedtorisecoulddo。Theworstofitwasthatmywristswereswellingandgoingbackonme。
Therearefewwhodonotknowthepainofwalkingonasprainedankle。Thenimaginethepainofshovellingcoalandtrundlingaloadedwheelbarrowwithtwosprainedwrists。
Work！MorethanonceIsankdownonthecoalwherenoonecouldseeme，andcriedwithrage，andmortification，andexhaustion，anddespair。Thatseconddaywasmyhardest，andallthatenabledmetosurviveitandgetinthelastofthenightcoalattheendofthirteenhourswasthedayfireman，whoboundbothmywristswithbroadleatherstraps。Sotightlyweretheybuckledthattheywerelikeslightlyflexibleplastercasts。Theytookthestressesandpressureswhichhithertohadbeenbornebymywrists，andtheyweresotightthattherewasnoroomfortheinflammationtoriseinthesprains。
AndinthisfashionIcontinuedtolearntobeanelectrician。
NightafternightIlimpedhome，fellasleepbeforeIcouldeatmysupper，andwashelpedintobedandundressed。Morningaftermorning，alwayswithhugerlunchesinmydinnerpail，Ilimpedoutofthehouseonmywaytowork。
Inolongerreadmylibrarybooks。Imadenodateswiththegirls。Iwasaproperworkbeast。Iworked，andate，andslept，whilemymindsleptallthetime。Thewholethingwasanightmare。Iworkedeveryday，includingSunday，andIlookedfaraheadtomyonedayoffattheendofamonth，resolvedtolieabedallthatdayandjustsleepandrestup。
ThestrangestpartofthisexperiencewasthatInevertookadrinknorthoughtoftakingadrink。YetIknewthatmenunderhardpressurealmostinvariablydrank。Ihadseenthemdoit，andinthepasthadoftendoneitmyself。Butsosheerlynon-
alcoholicwasIthatitneverenteredmymindthatadrinkmightbegoodforme。Iinstancethistoshowhowentirelylackingfrommymake-upwasanypredispositiontowardalcohol。Andthepointofthisinstanceisthatlateron，aftermoreyearshadpassed，contactwithJohnBarleycornatlastdidinduceinmethealcoholicdesire。
Ihadoftennoticedthedayfiremanstaringatmeinacuriousway。Atlast，oneday，hespoke。Hebeganbyswearingmetosecrecy。Hehadbeenwarnedbythesuperintendentnottotellme，andintellingmehewasriskinghisjob。Hetoldmeofthedaycoal-passerandthenightcoal-passer，andofthewagestheyhadreceived。Iwasdoingforthirtydollarsamonthwhattheyhadreceivedeightydollarsfordoing。Hewouldhavetoldmesooner，thefiremansaid，hadhenotbeensocertainthatIwouldbreakdownundertheworkandquit。Asitwas，Iwaskillingmyself，andalltonogoodpurpose。Iwasmerelycheapeningthepriceoflabour，heargued，andkeepingtwomenoutofajob。
BeinganAmericanboy，andaproudAmericanboy，Ididnotimmediatelyquit。Thiswasfoolishofme，Iknow；butIresolvedtocontinuetheworklongenoughtoprovetothesuperintendentthatIcoulddoitwithoutbreakingdown。ThenIwouldquit，andhewouldrealisewhatafineyoungfellowhehadlost。
AllofwhichIfaithfullyandfoolishlydid。IworkedonuntilthetimecamewhenIgotinthelastofthenightcoalbysixo’clock。ThenIquitthejoboflearningelectricitybydoingmorethantwomen’sworkforaboy’swages，wenthome，andproceededtosleeptheclockaround。
Fortunately，Ihadnotstayedbythejoblongenoughtoinjuremyself——thoughIwascompelledtowearstrapsonmywristsforayearafterward。ButtheeffectofthisworkorgyinwhichIhadindulgedwastosickenmewithwork。Ijustwouldn’twork。Thethoughtofworkwasrepulsive。Ididn’tcareifIneversettleddown。Learningatradecouldgohang。ItwasawholelotbettertoroysterandfrolicovertheworldinthewayIhadpreviouslydone。SoIheadedoutontheadventure-pathagain，startingtotrampEastbybeatingmywayontherailroads。
CHAPTERXXI
Butbehold！AssoonasIwentoutontheadventure-pathImetJohnBarleycornagain。Imovedthroughaworldofstrangers，andtheactofdrinkingtogethermadeoneacquaintedwithmenandopenedthewaytoadventures。Itmightbeinasaloonwithjingledtownsmen，orwithagenialrailroadmanwelllightedupandarmedwithpocketflasks，orwithabunchofalkistiffsinahang-out。
Yes；anditmightbeinaprohibitionstate，suchasIowawasin1894，whenIwanderedupthemainstreetofDesMoinesandwasvariouslyinvitedbystrangersintovariousblindpigs——Irememberdrinkinginbarber-shops，plumbingestablishments，andfurniturestores。
AlwaysitwasJohnBarleycorn。Evenatramp，inthosehalcyondays，couldgetmostfrequentlydrunk。Iremember，insidetheprisonatBuffalo，howsomeofusgotmagnificentlyjingled，andhow，onthestreetsofBuffaloafterourrelease，anotherjinglewasfinancedwithpenniesbeggedonthemain-drag。
Ihadnocallforalcohol，butwhenIwaswiththosewhodrank，I
drankwiththem。Iinsistedontravellingorloafingwiththelivest，keenestmen，anditwasjusttheselive，keenonesthatdidmostofthedrinking。Theywerethemorecomradelymen，themoreventurous，themoreindividual。PerhapsitwastoomuchtemperamentthatmadethemturnfromthecommonplaceandhumdrumtofindreliefinthelyingandfantasticsuretiesofJohnBarleycorn。Bethatasitmay，themenIlikedbest，desiredmosttobewith，wereinvariablytobefoundinJohnBarleycorn’scompany。
InthecourseofmytrampingovertheUnitedStatesIachievedanewconcept。Asatramp，Iwasbehindthescenesofsociety——aye，anddowninthecellar。Icouldwatchthemachinerywork。Isawthewheelsofthesocialmachinegoaround，andIlearnedthatthedignityofmanuallabourwasn’twhatIhadbeentolditwasbytheteachers，preachers，andpoliticians。Themenwithouttradeswerehelplesscattle。Ifonelearnedatrade，hewascompelledtobelongtoaunioninordertoworkathistrade。Andhisunionwascompelledtobullyandslugtheemployers’unionsinordertoholdupwagesorholddownhours。Theemployers’unionslike-wisebulliedandslugged。Icouldn’tseeanydignityatall。Andwhenaworkmangotold，orhadanaccident，hewasthrownintothescrap-heaplikeanyworn-outmachine。Isawtoomanyofthissortwhoweremakinganythingbutdignifiedendsoflife。
Somynewconceptwasthatmanuallabourwasundignified，andthatitdidn’tpay。Notradeforme，wasmydecision，andnosuperintendent’sdaughters。Andnocriminality，Ialsodecided。
Thatwouldbealmostasdisastrousastobealabourer。Brainspaid，notbrawn，andIresolvedneveragaintooffermymusclesforsaleinthebrawnmarket。Brain，andbrainonly，wouldI
sell。
IreturnedtoCaliforniawiththefirmintentionofdevelopingmybrain。Thismeantschooleducation。Ihadgonethroughthegrammarschoollongago，soIenteredtheOaklandHighSchool。TopaymywayIworkedasajanitor。Mysisterhelpedme，too；andI
wasnotabovemowinganybody’slawnortakingupandbeatingcarpetswhenIhadhalfadaytospare。Iwasworkingtogetawayfromwork，andIbuckleddowntoitwithagrimrealisationoftheparadox。
Boyandgirllovewasleftbehind，and，alongwithit，HaydeeandLouisShattuck，andtheearlyeveningstrolls。Ihadn’tthetime。
IjoinedtheHenryClayDebatingSociety。Iwasreceivedintothehomesofsomeofthemembers，whereImetnicegirlswhoseskirtsreachedtheground。Idalliedwithlittlehomeclubswhereinwediscussedpoetryandartandthenuancesofgrammar。Ijoinedthesocialistlocalwherewestudiedandoratedpoliticaleconomy，philosophy，andpolitics。Ikepthalfadozenmembershipcardsworkinginthefreelibraryanddidanimmenseamountofcollateralreading。
AndforayearandahalfonendInevertookadrink，northoughtoftakingadrink。Ihadn’tthetime，andIcertainlydidnothavetheinclination。Betweenmyjanitor-work，mystudies，andinnocentamusementssuchaschess，Ihadn’tamomenttospare。I
wasdiscoveringanewworld，andsuchwasthepassionofmyexplorationthattheoldworldofJohnBarleycornheldnoinducementsforme。
Cometothinkofit，Ididenterasaloon。IwenttoseeJohnnyHeinholdintheLastChance，andIwenttoborrowmoney。AndrighthereisanotherphaseofJohnBarleycorn。Saloon-keepersarenotoriouslygoodfellows。Onanaveragetheyperformvastlygreatergenerositiesthandobusinessmen。WhenIsimplyhadtohavetendollars，desperate，withnoplacetoturn，IwenttoJohnnyHeinhold。SeveralyearshadpassedsinceIhadbeeninhisplaceorspentacentacrosshisbar。AndwhenIwenttoborrowthetendollarsIdidn’tbuyadrink，either。AndJohnnyHeinholdletmehavethetendollarswithoutsecurityorinterest。
Morethanonce，inthebriefdaysofmystruggleforaneducation，IwenttoJohnnyHeinholdtoborrowmoney。WhenIenteredtheuniversity，Iborrowedfortydollarsfromhim，withoutinterest，withoutsecurity，withoutbuyingadrink。Andyet——andhereisthepoint，thecustom，andthecode——inthedaysofmyprosperity，afterthelapseofyears，IhavegoneoutofmywaybymanyalongblocktospendacrossJohnnyHeinhold’sbardeferredinterestonthevariousloans。NotthatJohnnyHeinholdaskedmetodoit，orexpectedmetodoit。Ididit，asIhavesaid，inobediencetothecodeIhadlearnedalongwithalltheotherthingsconnectedwithJohnBarleycorn。Indistress，whenamanhasnootherplacetoturn，whenhehasn’ttheslightestbitofsecuritywhichasavage-heartedpawn-brokerwouldconsider，hecangotosomesaloon-keeperheknows。Gratitudeisinherentlyhuman。Whenthemansohelpedhasmoneyagain，dependuponitthataportionwillbespentacrossthebarofthesaloon-keeperwhobefriendedhim。
Why，Irecollecttheearlydaysofmywritingcareer，whenthesmallsumsofmoneyIearnedfromthemagazinescamewithtragicirregularity，whileatthesametimeIwasstaggeringalongwithagrowingfamily——awife，children，amother，anephew，andmyMammyJennieandheroldhusbandfallenonevildays。ThereweretwoplacesatwhichIcouldborrowmoney；abarbershopandasaloon。
Thebarberchargedmefivepercent。permonthinadvance。Thatistosay，whenIborrowedonehundreddollars，hehandedmeninety-five。Theotherfivedollarsheretainedasadvanceinterestforthefirstmonth。AndonthesecondmonthIpaidhimfivedollarsmore，andcontinuedsotodoeachmonthuntilImadeatenstrikewiththeeditorsandliftedtheloan。
TheotherplacetowhichIcameintroublewasthesaloon。Thissaloon-keeperIhadknownbysightforacoupleofyears。Ihadneverspentmymoneyinhissaloon，andevenwhenIborrowedfromhimIdidn’tspendanymoney。YetneverdidherefusemeanysumIaskedofhim。Unfortunately，beforeIbecameprosperous，hemovedawaytoanothercity。AndtothisdayIregretthatheisgone。ItisthecodeIhavelearned。Therightthingtodo，andthethingI’ddorightnowdidIknowwhereheis，wouldbetodropinonoccasionandspendafewdollarsacrosshisbarforoldsake’ssakeandgratitude。
Thisisnottoexaltsaloon-keepers。IhavewrittenittoexaltthepowerofJohnBarleycornandtoillustrateonemoreofthemyriadwaysbywhichamanisbroughtincontactwithJohnBarleycornuntilintheendhefindshecannotgetalongwithouthim。
Buttoreturntotherunofmynarrative。Awayfromtheadventure-path，uptomyearsinstudy，everymomentoccupied，I
livedoblivioustoJohnBarleycorn’sexistence。Nobodyaboutmedrank。Ifanyhaddrunk，andhadtheyofferedittome，Isurelywouldhavedrunk。Asitwas，whenIhadsparemomentsIspentthemplayingchess，orgoingwithnicegirlswhowerethemselvesstudents，orinridingabicyclewheneverIwasfortunateenoughtohaveitoutofthepawnbroker’spossession。
WhatIaminsistinguponallthetimeisthis：inmewasnottheslightesttraceofalcoholicdesire，andthisdespitethelongandsevereapprenticeshipIhadservedunderJohnBarleycorn。IhadcomebackfromtheothersideoflifetobedelightedwiththisArcadiansimplicityofstudentyouthsandstudentmaidens。Also，Ihadfoundmywayintotherealmofthemind，andIwasintellectuallyintoxicated。（Alas！asIwastolearnatalaterperiod，intellectualintoxicationtoo。hasitskatzenjammer。）
CHAPTERXXII
Threeyearswasthetimerequiredtogothroughthehighschool。
Igrewimpatient。Also，myschoolingwasbecomingfinanciallyimpossible。AtsuchrateIcouldnotlastout，andIdidgreatlywanttogotothestateuniversity。WhenIhaddoneayearofhighschool，Idecidedtoattemptashortcut。Iborrowedthemoneyandpaidtoentertheseniorclassofa\"crammingjoint\"oracademy。Iwasscheduledtograduaterightintotheuniversityattheendoffourmonths，thussavingtwoyears。
AndhowIdidcram！Ihadtwoyears’newworktodoinathirdofayear。ForfiveweeksIcrammed，untilsimultaneousquadraticequationsandchemicalformulasfairlyoozedfrommyears。Andthenthemasteroftheacademytookmeaside。Hewasverysorry，buthewascompelledtogivemebackmytuitionfeeandtoaskmetoleavetheschool。Itwasn’tamatterofscholarship。Istoodwellinmyclasses，anddidhegraduatemeintotheuniversityhewasconfidentthatinthatinstitutionIwouldcontinuetostandwell。Thetroublewasthattonguesweregossipingaboutmycase。
What！Infourmonthsaccomplishedtwoyears’work！Itwouldbeascandal，andtheuniversitieswerebecomingsevererintheirtreatmentofaccreditedprepschools。Hecouldn’taffordsuchascandal，thereforeImustgracefullydepart。
Idid。AndIpaidbacktheborrowedmoney，andgrittedmyteeth，andstartedtocrambymyself。Therewerethreemonthsyetbeforetheuniversityentranceexaminations。Withoutlaboratories，withoutcoaching，sittinginmybedroom，Iproceededtocompressthattwoyears’workintothreemonthsandtokeepreviewedonthepreviousyear’swork。
NineteenhoursadayIstudied。ForthreemonthsIkeptthispace，onlybreakingitonseveraloccasions。Mybodygrewweary，mymindgrewweary，butIstayedwithit。Myeyesgrewwearyandbegantotwitch，buttheydidnotbreakdown。Perhaps，towardthelast，Igotabitdotty。IknowthatatthetimeIwasconfident，Ihaddiscoveredtheformulaforsquaringthecircle；butI
resolutelydeferredtheworkingofitoutuntilaftertheexaminations。ThenIwouldshowthem。
Cametheseveraldaysoftheexaminations，duringwhichtimeI
scarcelyclosedmyeyesinsleep，devotingeverymomenttocrammingandreviewing。AndwhenIturnedinmylastexaminationpaperIwasinfullpossessionofasplendidcaseofbrain-fag。I
didn’twanttoseeabook。Ididn’twanttothinkortolayeyesonanybodywhowasliabletothink。
Therewasbutoneprescriptionforsuchacondition，andIgaveittomyself——theadventure-path。Ididn’twaittolearntheresultofmyexaminations。Istowedarollofblanketsandsomecoldfoodintoaborrowedwhitehallboatandsetsail。OutoftheOaklandEstuaryIdriftedonthelastofanearlymorningebb，caughtthefirstofthefloodupbay，andracedalongwithaspankingbreeze。SanPabloBaywassmoking，andtheCarquinezStraitsofftheSelbySmelterweresmoking，asIpickedupaheadandleftasterntheoldlandmarksIhadfirstlearnedwithNelsonintheunreeferReindeer。
Beniciashowedbeforeme。IopenedthebightofTurner’sShipyard，roundedtheSolanowharf，andsurgedalongabreastofthepatchoftulesandtheclusteringfishermen’sarkswhereintheolddaysIhadlivedanddrunkdeep。
Andrightheresomethinghappenedtome，thegravityofwhichI
neverdreamedformanyalongyeartocome。IhadhadnointentionofstoppingatBenicia。Thetidefavoured，thewindwasfairandhowling——glorioussailingforasailor。BullHeadandArmyPointsshowedahead，markingtheentrancetoSuisunBaywhichIknewwassmoking。Andyet，whenIlaideyesonthosefishingarkslyinginthewater-fronttules，withoutdebate，ontheinstant，Iputdownmytiller，cameinonthesheet，andheadedfortheshore。Ontheinstant，outoftheprofoundofmybrain-
fag，IknewwhatIwanted。Iwantedtodrink。Iwantedtogetdrunk。
Thecallwasimperative。Therewasnouncertaintyaboutit。Morethananythingelseintheworld，myfrayedandfrazzledmindwantedsurceasefromwearinessinthewayitknewsurceasewouldcome。Andrighthereisthepoint。ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIconsciously，deliberately，desiredtogetdrunk。Itwasanew，atotallydifferentmanifestationofJohnBarleycorn’spower。Itwasnotabodyneedforalcohol。Itwasamentaldesire。Myover-workedandjadedmindwantedtoforget。
Andherethepointisdrawntoitssharpest。Grantedmyprodigiousbrain-fag，nevertheless，hadIneverdrunkinthepast，thethoughtwouldneverhaveenteredmymindtogetdrunknow。
Beginningwithphysicalintoleranceforalcohol，foryearsdrinkingonlyforthesakeofcomradeshipandbecausealcoholwaseverywhereontheadventure-path，Ihadnowreachedthestagewheremybraincriedout，notmerelyforadrink，butforadrunk。
AndhadInotbeensolongusedtoalcohol，mybrainwouldnothavesocriedout。IshouldhavesailedonpastBullHead，andinthesmokingwhiteofSuisunBay，andinthewineofwindthatfilledmysailandpouredthroughme，Ishouldhaveforgottenmywearybrainandrestedandrefreshedit。
SoIsailedintoshore，madeallfast，andhurriedupamongthearks。CharleyLeGrantfellonmyneck。Hiswife，Lizzie，foldedmetohercapaciousbreast。BillyMurphy，andJoeLloyd，andallthesurvivorsoftheoldguard，gotaroundmeandtheirarmsaroundme。CharleyseizedthecanandstartedforJorgensen’ssaloonacrosstherailroadtracks。Thatmeantbeer。Iwantedwhisky，soIcalledafterhimtobringaflask。
Manytimesthatflaskjourneyedacrosstherailroadtracksandback。Moreoldfriendsoftheoldfreeandeasytimesdroppedin，fishermen，Greeks，andRussians，andFrench。Theytookturnsintreating，andtreatedallaroundinturnagain。Theycameandwent，butIstayedonanddrankwithall。Iguzzled。Iswilled。
Irantheliquordownandjoyedasthemaggotsmountedinmybrain。
AndClamcamein，Nelson’spartnerbeforeme，handsomeasever，butmorereckless，halfinsane，burninghimselfoutwithwhisky。
HehadjusthadaquarrelwithhispartneronthesloopGazelle，andkniveshadbeendrawn，andblowsstruck，andhewasbentonmaddeningthefeverofthememorywithmorewhisky。Andwhilewedownedit，werememberedNelsonandthathehadstretchedouthisgreatshouldersforthelastlongsleepinthisverytownofBenicia；andweweptoverthememoryofhim，andrememberedonlythegoodthingsofhim，andsentouttheflasktobefilledanddrankagain。
Theywantedmetostayover，butthroughtheopendoorIcouldseethebravewindonthewater，andmyearswerefilledwiththeroarofit。AndwhileIforgotthatIhadplungedintothebooksnineteenhoursadayforthreesolidmonths，CharleyLeGrantshiftedmyoutfitintoabigColumbiaRiversalmonboat。Headdedcharcoalandafisherman’sbrazier，acoffeepotandfryingpan，andthecoffeeandthemeat，andablackbassfreshfromthewaterthatday。
Theyhadtohelpmedownthericketywharfandintothesalmonboat。Likewisetheystretchedmyboomandsprituntilthesailsetlikeaboard。Somefearedtosetthesprit；butIinsisted，andCharleyhadnodoubts。Heknewmeofold，andknewthatI
couldsailaslongasIcouldsee。Theycastoffmypainter。I
putthetillerup，filledawaybeforeit，andwithdizzyeyescheckedandsteadiedtheboatonhercourseandwavedfarewell。
Thetidehadturned，andthefierceebb，runningintheteethofafiercerwind，kickedupastiff，upstandingsea。SuisunBaywaswhitewithwrathandsea-lump。Butasalmonboatcansail，andI
knewhowtosailasalmonboat。SoIdroveherintoit，andthroughit，andacross，andmaunderedaloudandchantedmydisdainforallthebooksandschools。Crestingseasfilledmeafootorsowithwater，butIlaughedatitsloshingaboutmyfeet，andchantedmydisdainforthewindandthewater。Ihailedmyselfamasteroflife，ridingonthebackoftheunleashedelements，andJohnBarleycornrodewithme。Amiddissertationsonmathematicsandphilosophyandspoutingsandquotations，IsangalltheoldsongslearnedinthedayswhenIwentfromthecannerytotheoysterboatstobeapirate——suchsongsas：\"BlackLulu，\"\"FlyingCloud，\"\"TreatmyDaughterKind-i-ly，\"\"TheBostonBurglar，\"\"ComeallyouRambling，GamblingMen，\"\"IWishtIwasaLittleBird，\"
\"Shenandoah，\"and\"Ranzo，Boys，Ranzo。\"
Hoursafterward，inthefiresofsunset，wheretheSacramentoandtheSanJoaquintumbletheirmuddyfloodstogether，ItooktheNewYorkCut-Off，skimmedacrossthesmoothland-lockedwaterpastBlackDiamond，onintotheSanJoaquin，andontoAntioch，where，somewhatsoberedandmagnificentlyhungry，Ilaidalongsideabigpotatosloopthathadafamiliarrig。Herewereoldfriendsaboard，whofriedmyblackbassinoliveoil。Then，too，therewasameatyfisherman’sstew，deliciouswithgarlic，andcrustyItalianbreadwithoutbutter，andallwasheddownwithpintmugsofthickandheadyclaret。
Mysalmonboatwasa-soak，butinthesnugcabinofthesloopdryblanketsandadrybunkweremine；andwelayandsmokedandyarnedofolddays，whileoverheadthewindscreamedthroughtheriggingandtauthalyardsdrummedagainstthemast。
CHAPTERXXIII
Mycruiseinthesalmonboatlastedaweek，andIreturnedreadytoentertheuniversity。Duringtheweek’scruiseIdidnotdrinkagain。ToaccomplishthisIwascompelledtoavoidlookingupoldfriends，forasevertheadventure-pathwasbesetwithJohnBarleycorn。Ihadwantedthedrinkthatfirstday，andinthedaysthatfollowedIdidnotwantit。Mytiredbrainhadrecuperated。Ihadnomoralscruplesinthematter。Iwasnotashamednorsorrybecauseofthatfirstday’sorgyatBenicia，andIthoughtnomoreaboutit，returninggladlytomybooksandstudies。
LongyearsweretopassereIlookedbackuponthatdayandrealiseditssignificance。Atthetime，andforalongtimeafterward，Iwastothinkofitonlyasafrolic。Butstilllater，inthesloughofbrain-fagandintellectualweariness，I
wastorememberandknowthecravingfortheanodynethatresidesinalcohol。
Inthemeantime，afterthisonerelapseatBenicia，Iwentonwithmyabstemiousness，primarilybecauseIdidn’twanttodrink。Andnext，Iwasabstemiousbecausemywayledamongbooksandstudentswherenodrinkingwas。HadIbeenoutontheadventure-path，I
shouldasamatterofcoursehavebeendrinking。Forthatisthepityoftheadventure-path，whichisoneofJohnBarleycorn’sfavouritestampinggrounds。
Icompletedthefirsthalfofmyfreshmanyear，andinJanuaryof1897tookupmycoursesforthesecondhalf。Butthepressurefromlackofmoney，plusaconvictionthattheuniversitywasnotgivingmeallthatIwantedinthetimeIcouldspareforit，forcedmetoleave。Iwasnotverydisappointed。FortwoyearsI
hadstudied，andinthosetwoyears，whatwasfarmorevaluable，I
haddoneaprodigiousamountofreading。Then，too，mygrammarhadimproved。Itistrue，IhadnotyetlearnedthatImustsay\"ItisI\"；butInolongerwasguiltyofadoublenegativeinwriting，thoughstillpronetothaterrorinexcitedspeech。
Idecidedimmediatelytoembarkonmycareer。Ihadfourpreferences：first，music；second，poetry；third，thewritingofphilosophic，economic，andpoliticalessays；and，fourth，andlast，andleast，fictionwriting。Iresolutelycutoutmusicasimpossible，settleddowninmybedroom，andtackledmysecond，third，andfourthchoicessimultaneously。Heavens，howIwrote！
Neverwasthereacreativefeversuchasminefromwhichthepatientescapedfatalresults。ThewayIworkedwasenoughtosoftenmybrainandsendmetoamad-house。Iwrote，Iwroteeverything——ponderousessays，scientificandsociologicalshortstories，humorousverse，verseofallsortsfromtrioletsandsonnetstoblankversetragedyandelephantineepicsinSpenserianstanzas。OnoccasionIcomposedsteadily，dayafterday，forfifteenhoursaday。AttimesIforgottoeat，orrefusedtotearmyselfawayfrommypassionateoutpouringinordertoeat。
Andthentherewasthematteroftypewriting。Mybrother-in-lawownedamachinewhichheusedintheday-time。InthenightIwasfreetouseit。Thatmachinewasawonder。IcouldweepnowasI
recollectmywrestlingswithit。Itmusthavebeenafirstmodelintheyearoneofthetypewriterera。Itsalphabetwasallcapitals。Itwasinformedwithanevilspirit。Itobeyednoknownlawsofphysics，andoverthrewthehoaryaxiomthatlikethingsperformedtolikethingsproducelikeresults。I’llswearthatmachineneverdidthesamethinginthesamewaytwice。
Againandagainitdemonstratedthatunlikeactionsproducelikeresults。
Howmybackusedtoachewithit！Priortothatexperience，mybackhadbeengoodforeveryviolentstrainputuponitinanonetoogentlecareer。ButthattypewriterprovedtomethatIhadapipe-stemforaback。Also，itmademedoubtmyshoulders。Theyachedaswithrheumatismaftereverybout。Thekeysofthatmachinehadtobehitsohardthattooneoutsidethehouseitsoundedlikedistantthunderorsomeonebreakingupthefurniture。IhadtohitthekeyssohardthatIstrainedmyfirstfingerstotheelbows，whiletheendsofmyfingerswereblistersburstandblisteredagain。HaditbeenmymachineI’dhaveoperateditwithacarpenter’shammer。
TheworstofitwasthatIwasactuallytypingmymanuscriptsatthesametimeIwastryingtomasterthatmachine。Itwasafeatofphysicalenduranceandabrainstormcombinedtotypeathousandwords，andIwascomposingthousandsofwordseverydaywhichjusthadtobetypedforthewaitingeditors。
Oh，betweenthewritingandthetypewritingIwaswella-weary。I
hadbrainandnervefag，andbodyfagaswell，andyetthethoughtofdrinkneversuggesteditself。Iwaslivingtoohightostandinneedofananodyne。Allmywakinghours，exceptthosewiththatinfernaltypewriter，werespentinacreativeheaven。AndalongwiththisIhadnodesirefordrinkbecauseIstillbelievedinmanythings——intheloveofallmenandwomeninthematterofmanandwomanlove；infatherhood；inhumanjustice；inart——inthewholehostoffondillusionsthatkeeptheworldturningaround。
Butthewaitingeditorselectedtokeeponwaiting。Mymanuscriptsmadeamazinground-triprecordsbetweenthePacificandtheAtlantic。Itmighthavebeentheweirdnessofthetypewritingthatpreventedtheeditorsfromacceptingatleastonelittleofferingofmine。Idon’tknow，andgoodnessknowsthestuffIwrotewasasweirdasitstyping。Isoldmyhard-boughtschoolbooksforridiculoussumstosecond-handbookmen。I
borrowedsmallsumsofmoneywhereverIcould，andsufferedmyoldfathertofeedmewiththemeagrereturnsofhisfailingstrength。
Itdidn’tlastlong，onlyafewweeks，whenIhadtosurrenderandgotowork。YetIwasunawareofanyneedforthedrinkanodyne。
Iwasnotdisappointed。Mycareerwasretarded，thatwasall。
PerhapsIdidneedfurtherpreparation。IhadlearnedenoughfromthebookstorealisethatIhadonlytouchedthehemofknowledge’sgarment。Istilllivedontheheights。Mywakinghours，andmostofthehoursIshouldhaveusedforsleep，werespentwiththebooks。
CHAPTERXXIV
Outinthecountry，attheBelmontAcademy，Iwenttoworkinasmall，perfectlyappointedsteamlaundry。Anotherfellowandmyselfdidalltheworkfromsortingandwashingtoironingthewhiteshirts，collarsandcuffs，andthe\"fancystarch\"ofthewivesoftheprofessors。Weworkedliketigers，especiallyassummercameonandtheacademyboystooktothewearingofducktrousers。Itconsumesadreadfullotoftimetoirononepairofducktrousers。Andthereweresomanypairsofthem。Wesweatedourwaythroughlongsizzlingweeksatataskthatwasneverdone；
andmanyanight，whilethestudentssnoredinbed，mypartnerandItoiledonundertheelectriclightatsteammangleorironingboard。
Thehourswerelong，theworkwasarduous，despitethefactthatwebecamepastmastersintheartofeliminatingwastemotion。
AndIwasreceivingthirtydollarsamonthandboard——aslightincreaseovermycoal-shovellingandcannerydays，atleasttotheextentofboard，whichcostmyemployerlittle（weateinthekitchen），butwhichwastometheequivalentoftwentydollarsamonth。Myrobusterstrengthofaddedyears，myincreasedskill，andallIhadlearnedfromthebooks，wereresponsibleforthisincreaseoftwentydollars。Judgingbymyrateofdevelopment，I
mighthopebeforeIdiedtobeanightwatchmanforsixtydollarsamonth，orapolicemanactuallyreceivingahundreddollarswithpickings。
SorelentlesslydidmypartnerandIspringintoourworkthroughouttheweekthatbySaturdaynightwewerefrazzledwrecks。Ifoundmyselfintheoldfamiliarwork-beastcondition，toilinglongerhoursthanthehorsestoiled，thinkingscarcelymorefrequentthoughtsthanhorsesthink。Thebookswereclosedtome。Ihadbroughtatrunkfultothelaundry，butfoundmyselfunabletoreadthem。IfellasleepthemomentItriedtoread；
andifIdidmanagetokeepmyeyesopenforseveralpages，I
couldnotrememberthecontentsofthosepages。Igaveoverattemptsonheavystudy，suchasjurisprudence，politicaleconomy，andbiology，andtriedlighterstuff，suchashistory。Ifellasleep。Itriedliterature，andfellasleep。Andfinally，whenI
fellasleepoverlivelynovels，Igaveup。IneversucceededinreadingonebookinallthetimeIspentinthelaundry。
AndwhenSaturdaynightcame，andtheweek’sworkwasoveruntilMondaymorning，Iknewonlyonedesirebesidesthedesiretosleep，andthatwastogetdrunk。ThiswasthesecondtimeinmylifethatIhadheardtheunmistakablecallofJohnBarleycorn。
Thefirsttimeithadbeenbecauseofbrain-fag。ButIhadnoover-workedbrainnow。Onthecontrary，allIknewwasthedullnumbnessofabrainthatwasnotworkedatall。Thatwasthetrouble。Mybrainhadbecomesoalertandeager，soquickenedbythewonderofthenewworldthebookshaddiscoveredtoit，thatitnowsufferedallthemiseryofstagnancyandinaction。
AndI，thelongtimeintimateofJohnBarleycorn，knewjustwhathepromisedme——maggotsoffancy，dreamsofpower，forgetfulness，anythingandeverythingsavewhirlingwashers，revolvingmangles，hummingcentrifugalwringers，andfancystarchandinterminableprocessionsofducktrousersmovinginsteamundermyflyingiron。
Andthat’sit。JohnBarleycornmakeshisappealtoweaknessandfailure，towearinessandexhaustion。Heistheeasywayout。
Andheislyingallthetime。Heoffersfalsestrengthtothebody，falseelevationtothespirit，makingthingsseemwhattheyarenotandvastlyfairerthanwhattheyare。
ButitmustnotbeforgottenthatJohnBarleycornisprotean。Aswellastoweaknessandexhaustion，doesheappealtotoomuchstrength，tosuperabundantvitality，totheennuiofidleness。Hecantuckinhisarmthearmofanymaninanymood。Hecanthrowthenetofhislureoverallmen。Heexchangesnewlampsforold，thespanglesofillusionforthedrabsofreality，andintheendcheatsallwhotrafficwithhim。
Ididn’tgetdrunk，however，forthesimplereasonthatitwasamileandahalftothenearestsaloon。Andthis，inturn，wasbecausethecalltogetdrunkwasnotveryloudinmyears。Haditbeenloud，Iwouldhavetravelledtentimesthedistancetowintothesaloon。Ontheotherhand，hadthesaloonbeenjustaroundthecorner，Ishouldhavegotdrunk。Asitwas，IwouldsprawloutintheshadeonmyonedayofrestanddallywiththeSundaypapers。ButIwastoowearyevenfortheirfroth。Thecomicsupplementmightbringapallidsmiletomyface，andthenIwouldfallasleep。
AlthoughIdidnotyieldtoJohnBarleycornwhileworkinginthelaundry，acertaindefiniteresultwasproduced。Ihadheardthecall，feltthegnawofdesire，yearnedfortheanodyne。Iwasbeingpreparedforthestrongerdesireoflateryears。
Andthepointisthatthisdevelopmentofdesirewasentirelyinmybrain。Mybodydidnotcryoutforalcohol。Asalways，alcoholwasrepulsivetomybody。WhenIwasbodilywearyfromshovellingcoalthethoughtoftakingadrinkhadneverflickeredintomyconsciousness。WhenIwasbrain-weariedaftertakingtheentranceexaminationstotheuniversity，Ipromptlygotdrunk。AtthelaundryIwassufferingphysicalexhaustionagain，andphysicalexhaustionthatwasnotnearlysoprofoundasthatofthecoal-shovelling。Buttherewasadifference。WhenIwentcoal-
shovellingmymindhadnotyetawakened。Betweenthattimeandthelaundrymymindhadfoundthekingdomofthemind。Whileshovellingcoalmymindwassomnolent。Whiletoilinginthelaundrymymind，informedandeagertodoandbe，wascrucified。
AndwhetherIyieldedtodrink，asatBenicia，orwhetherI
refrained，asatthelaundry，inmybraintheseedsofdesireforalcoholweregerminating。
CHAPTERXXV
AfterthelaundrymysisterandherhusbandgrubstakedmeintotheKlondike。Itwasthefirstgoldrushintothatregion，theearlyfallrushof1897。Iwastwenty-oneyearsold，andinsplendidphysicalcondition。Iremember，attheendofthetwenty-eight-
mileportageacrossChilcootfromDyeaBeachtoLakeLinderman，I
waspackingupwiththeIndiansandout-packingmanyanIndian。
ThelastpackintoLindermanwasthreemiles。Iback-trippeditfourtimesaday，andoneachforwardtripcarriedonehundredandfiftypounds。ThismeansthatovertheworsttrailsIdailytravelledtwenty-fourmiles，twelveofwhichwereunderaburdenofonehundredandfiftypounds。
Yes，Ihadletcareergohang，andwasontheadventure-pathagaininquestoffortune。Andofcourse，ontheadventure-path，ImetJohnBarleycorn。Herewerethechestymenagain，roversandadventurers，andwhiletheydidn’tmindagrubfamine，whiskytheycouldnotdowithout。Whiskywentoverthetrail，whiletheflourlaycachedanduntouchedbythetrail-side。
Asgoodfortunewouldhaveit，thethreemeninmypartywerenotdrinkers。ThereforeIdidn’tdrinksaveonrareoccasionsanddisgracefullywhenwithothermen。Inmypersonalmedicinechestwasaquartofwhisky。Ineverdrewthecorktillsixmonthsafterward，inalonelycamp，where，withoutanaesthetics，adoctorwascompelledtooperateonaman。Thedoctorandthepatientemptiedmybottlebetweenthemandthenproceededtotheoperation。
BackinCaliforniaayearlater，recoveringfromscurvy，IfoundthatmyfatherwasdeadandthatIwastheheadandthesolebread-winnerofahousehold。WhenIstatethatIhadpassedcoalonasteamshipfromBehringSeatoBritishColumbia，andtravelledinthesteeragefromtheretoSanFrancisco，itwillbeunderstoodthatIbroughtnothingbackfromtheKlondikebutmyscurvy。
Timeswerehard。Workofanysortwasdifficulttoget。AndworkofanysortwaswhatIhadtotake，forIwasstillanunskilledlabourer。Ihadnothoughtofcareer。Thatwasoveranddonewith。Ihadtofindfoodfortwomouthsbesidemyownandkeeparoofoverourheads——yes，andbuyawintersuit，myonesuitbeingdecidedlysummery。Ihadtogetsomesortofworkimmediately。
Afterthat，whenIhadcaughtmybreath，Imightthinkaboutmyfuture。