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There were blisters on them like great lumps. Tears started in the widow's eyes.

Sore agony, and grief, and tears, and convulsive wrestlings were there.

The individuals in the middle of the room were dancing—that is, they were going through certain contortions

and shufflings, varied occasionally by exceeding hearty stamps upon the sanded floor.

His countenance was intelligent—and had the air of city life and society.

.; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

This tale is the sixth of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

Families were divided; adherents to the crown, and ardent upholders of the rebellion, were often found

At one period there were efforts made to have the whole affair investigated.

They thought him mad; his words were so incoherent and strange.

—and the Last Soldier of King George had left the American shores.

This tale is the sixth of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

The entire preceeding paragraph is omitted.; Whitman is referring to the American War of Independence

between Britain—ruled by King George III— and the North American colonies that sought independence from

Whitman's short story "The Last of the Sacred Army" (March 1842) also deals with the American Revolution

the top of the side of a ship.; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American

This tale is the third of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

I was born, and have always lived, in one of the largest of our Atlantic cities.

But I laughed at him, and told him his fears were idle.

Two long hours we were in conversation.

The children were very much hurt at their brother's unfortunate situation.

This tale is the third of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

This tale is the second of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

The light and heat were not glaring now: a change had come over the aspect of the scene.

It seemed quite dark, so heavy were the clouds.

Drops sparkled on the leaf-tips,—coolness and clearness were in the air.

The clattering of a horse's hoofs came to the ears of those who were gathered there.

This tale is the second of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

Man of cities!

They had no acquaintance; and to beg they were ashamed.

her faculties were becoming dim.

When she did, her first efforts were essayed to reach Gilbert's grave.

Without doubt she wished many times that she were laid beside him.

This tale is the fourth of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

"; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

"Reuben's Last Wish" and another fiction work, " The Madman ," were unknown to twentieth-century literary

Holloway announced both finds in the January 1956 issue of American Literature : see Emory Holloway,

"More Temperance Tales by Whitman," American Literature 27 (January 1956): 577–578.

The Washington temperance societies, part of the Washingtonian temperance movement, were popular in New

Several persons were standing around him.

.]; "Reuben's Last Wish" and another fiction work, "The Madman," were unknown to twentieth-century literary

Holloway announced both finds in the January 1956 issue of American Literature: see Emory Holloway, "

More Temperance Tales by Whitman," American Literature 27 (January 1956): 577–578.

The Washington temperance societies, part of the Washingtonian temperance movement, were popular in New

explained, listening to narratives like the remarks and advice on temperance described here, which were

But such is not the base whereon American warriors found their title to renown.

But these were far from being jars to the quiet spirit I have mentioned.

Methought I stood in a splendid city. It seemed a gala day.

And the crowd were hushed, and bent reverently, as if in a holy presence.

Upon the medal were the letters "G. W." The initials "G.

This tale is the fourth of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

Massachusetts, which was the site of much of the fighting of the Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) during the American

may refer to the fighting that took place near the Santee River in South Carolina, also during the American

refer to George Washington (1732–1799), the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American

Mouldering means decaying or rotting.; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American

and Love A LEGEND OF LIFE AND LOVE This tale is the seventh of nine short stories by Whitman that were

Glossy hair clustered upon his head, and his cheeks were very brown from sunshine and open air.

"As I said, the dying lessons of him whom we reverenced were treasured in my soul.

We were blessed.

"Children were born to us—brave boys and fair girls.

This tale is the seventh of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

another term for grandfather.; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American

This tale is the last of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

Yet if it were possible for envy to enter among the Creatures Beautiful, many would have pined for the

Such were the futile wishes of the criminal.

it—that great city, shrouded in the depths of night, and its many thousands slumbering.

Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

This tale is the last of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

"; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

Nassau Street is located in the financial district in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.

bear some resemblance to the plot of "Revenge and Requital," though it is unclear whether the notes were

seem to thrive well, and, with perhaps one exception, the lawyer's prospects in the matrimonial way were

The rain now poured down a cataract; the shops were all shut; few of the street lamps were lighted; and

Heaven itself (so deranged were his imaginings) appeared to have provided a fitting scene and time for

Nassau Street is located in the financial district in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.; Whitman

bear some resemblance to the plot of "Revenge and Requital," though it is unclear whether the notes were

For the merry tones were the same to all appearance, which had been uttered several days previous, when

Arrow-Tip himself was as calm as the most placid lake in the forest,—but the features of the other were

The two were Master Caleb and Quincy Thorne.

His blood-shot eyes were fixed upon a hideous object dangling in the air.

They were the monk, called in this narration Father Luke, and the miserable brother of Arrow-Tip.

After desolating the cities of the eastern world, the dreaded Cholera made its appearance on our American

See John Duff, History of Public Health in New York City, 1625–1866 , Volume 1 (New York: Russell Sage

Wherever the worst cases of the contagion were to be found, he also was to be found.

It even seemed as if he were thus making interest in the Courts of Heaven.

Boarding houses flourished in New York City in the mid-nineteenth century.

Here, Whitman may be referring to the cholera outbreak in 1832 that prompted many to leave New York City

See John Duff, History of Public Health in New York City, 1625–1866, Volume 1 (New York: Russell Sage

Boarding houses flourished in New York City in the mid-nineteenth century.

published in the New York Aurora on March 18, 1842, Whitman estimated that "half the inhabitants of the city

hire accommodations at these houses," and noted that "if we were called upon to describe the universal

motions, and looks of the dead—the warning voice from above—pursued him like tormenting furies, and were

He would fly on, on, on, until amid different scenes and a new life, the old memories were rubbed entirely

And amidst the thousand mute mouths and eloquent eyes, which appeared as it were to look up and speak

Nearer by were cultivated fields.

At his side was the large well-kept garden of his host, in which were many pretty flowers, grass plots

THE FIREMAN'S DREAM: While completing research for the two volumes of journalism that were published

went the great bell of the City Hall.

Ladders were quickly placed in such positions as were necessary to enable them to pull down certain portions

They were startled, and instinctively pushed out into the stream.

Violet and her people were very kind to me.

.]; While completing research for the two volumes of journalism that were published as part of The Collected

The poem was published in the third volume of Samuel Kettell, ed., Specimens of American Poetry with

See "Dream of the Sea," Specimens of American Poetry, 314–316; see also Rufus Wilmot Griswold, "Grenville

Amy Greenberg argues that early volunteer fire squads were built on close male friendships and constituted

Greenberg, Cause for Alarm: The Volunteer Fire Department in the Nineteenth Century City (Princeton,

tale, making a number of changes to the original language before publishing this version in the American

With the youth's assistance, the preparations for their frugal meal were soon completed.

But I thought that were they both slain no one would carry the tale to the Kansi tribe.

Those sounds were not new to him.

eyes, glassy as they were beginning to be with death-damps.

tale, making a number of changes to the original language before publishing this version in the American

The American Review publication was the first printing of the story as a stand-alone tale under the title

'"; Logan was a Native American war leader who became well known as an orator.

negotiations that involved the distribution of alcohol or payments of large subsidies to Native Americans

animal such as a dog or a wolf.; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American

For a complete list of revisions to the language of the Franklin Evans version of the story that were

Early Youth" section of Specimen Days and Collect (1882), these two paragraphs of narrative framing were

He seemed to be looked upon by the others as a sort of prompter, from whom they were to take cue.

A second, third and fourth time were the glasses filled, and the effect thereof began to be perceived

At the end of that hour, the words "perhaps when you arrive she may be dead ," were not effaced from

For a complete list of revisions to the language of the Franklin Evans version of the story that were

Early Youth" section of Specimen Days and Collect (1882), these two paragraphs of narrative framing were

Meetings in which speakers described their conversion experiences were an important part of the Washington

Besides, were you willing to devote all your time and energies, you could gain property too: squeeze,

Our intellect would be sullied, were the vulgar to approximate to it, by professing to readily enter

The booming of the city clock sounded forth the hour twelve—high noon. "Ho! Lingave!"

His schemes for gaining wealth were various; he had dipped into almost every branch and channel of business

Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

"; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

"The Madman" and the short story " Reuben's Last Wish " were unknown to twentieth-century literary critics

"More Temperance Tales by Whitman," American Literature 27 (January 1956): 577–578.

Fulton Street is located in New York City's Financial District in Lower Manhattan.

And there were two features which an observer might have noticed with great satisfaction.

The next week, they were on the footing of intimacy and familiarity. CHAPTER II .

"The Madman" and the short story "Reuben's Last Wish" were unknown to twentieth-century literary critics

Holloway announced both finds in the January 1956 issue of American Literature: see Emory Holloway, "

More Temperance Tales by Whitman," American Literature 27 (January 1956): 577–578.

These two chapters, the only parts of Whitman's "The Madman" that have been discovered, were published

John Jacob Astor built the Astor House, which was located in Lower Manhattan across from New York City

similar speedy modes of conveyance—the travellers from Amboy village to the metropolis of our republic were

These two sentences were omitted in both the Eagle and Collect .

The previous two paragraphs were omitted in Collect .

As they dropped they were wafted to the bottom of the grave.

Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

.; These two sentences were omitted in both the Eagle and Collect.; In the Eagle, this reads "the son

"; The previous two paragraphs were omitted in Collect.; In Collect, this sentence reads: "The villain

"; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

ProQuest's American Periodical Series database indicates a publication date of March 27, 1844 for Whitman's

What would you say, dear reader, were I to claim the nearest relationship to George Washington, Thomas

The names of these children may refer to those of three of Whitman's brothers, who were named after heroes

It was not a sad thing—we wept not, nor were our hearts heavy.

ProQuest's American Periodical Series database indicates a publication date of March 27, 1844 for Whitman's

Publishing, 1998).; The names of these children may refer to those of three of Whitman's brothers, who were

teeming regions of the air swarm with bodiless ghosts—bodiless to human sight, because of their exceeding

The delicate ones bent their necks, and shook as if a chill blast had swept by—and white robes were drawn

gazed they saw a new companion of wondrous loveliness among them—a strange and timid creature, who, were

unbearable even to the deathless, must be tempered for the sight of any created thing, however lofty,) were

Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

"; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

J UST before noon, one day last winter, when the pavements were crusted plentifully with ice-patches,

Out in the bay the waves were rolling and rising, and over the thick rails which line the shore-walk

Many dozens of boys were there, with skates and small sleds—very busy.

What a miniature, too, were they of the chase of life!

Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

'"; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American Antiquarian Society.

The teachers were, however, by no means overburthened with learning themselves; and my acquirements were

Were not the chances much more against me than they had been against a thousand others, who were the

—Preparations were accordingly made; scientific cooks were engaged; foreign delicacies purchased, and

city, upon conjugal matters.

Vain were there hopes.

.; Although Whitman's notebooks and his later poetry often celebrate the city and urban life, Franklin

Evans and "Fortunes of a Country-Boy" reveal some anti-urban sentiments, which were characteristic of

, North Carolina: Duke University Press, 2007), xiii–xxiv.; Boarding houses flourished in New York City

published in the New York Aurora on March, 18, 1842, Whitman estimated that "half the inhabitants of the city

hire accommodations at these houses," and noted that "if we were called upon to describe the universal

It was not until quite a while after sunset, that we started on our return to the city.

He was buried in the sea; and in due time, his family arrived at the American emporium.

They were set before us by the sober Margery, no one else being visible.

As frequently happened, we were the only company.

Back of the house were some fields, and a path leading into clumps of trees.

revisions Whitman made to "The Love of the Four Students" before publishing it as "The Boy-Lover" in The American

Rankling means festering and rotting.; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American

More than half the party started off on a gallop, and in a few moments they were at the side of him who

The group did not laugh at this sally as at the former ones—for they were anxious to hear the end of

"Though I knew not his residence, we were old acquaintances in times by-gone; so I thought it strange

His lips were beautifully cut, and his neck might have been taken by the most fastidious sculptor as

What were Peter's thoughts about? Nothing more or less than love .

it in the neighbourhood of our eastern cities, would be visited by thousands for its beauty.

One week of such fine and wholesome recreation would do more good to our enervated city gentry, than

From where they were situated, the hunters could not distinctly see the quarrellers—but the latter were

No scuffling or angry words were there now.

The hunters were mistaken in supposing it dead.

So kindly where were her requests proposed, and so yearning, if the truth be told, were the Lonesome

"And were you always content?" "Not always," was the subdued answer.

Some few items, your own good sense will inform you, it were better to pass no further."

Before he returned to the city, he added another to his triumphs . My sister fell!

A hundred schemes for revenge were fixed upon in my mind, and then abandoned.

Some cooling drinks were then given him, and he felt less faint.

From what Boddo there has told me, it must have been while you were lying senseless after the blow.

Boddo felt sure that the course of 'justice'—were the people allowed to remain with the unquestionable

The two hunters who had heard the conflict, and carried Arrow-Tip to the rendezvous a prisoner, were

How were they amazed upon coming to the exact place, to find the blacksmith's body missing!

punishment of crime is without the delays and necessary forms, and statutable restrictions, of our older cities

these places, in public will, and public feeling—a dangerous state of things in a large and vicious city

It was a kind of public assembly ground, and there four-fifths of the people were at that moment gathered

was to be in some sense his tribunal, there was a silence throughout the whole spot, and all eyes were

In the course of the day, they were frequently seen, like the others, and had themselves seen the others

the eyes of nearly every one in the room, with the exception of Thorne, himself, and his eldest son, were

Again were the eyes of the group directed toward Arrow-Tip.

In truth, the suspicion, if any such were harboured, was unjust, and in no small degree unreasonable,

It were hardly amiss to guess that the dreams of the young hunter that night were interwoven with huge

A dismal howl sounded out from the startled thief, and he struggled to get free—but his struggles were

Any other choice would have created some envy and jealousy—but all the children themselves were attached

pointed as he spoke, to a spot forty or fifty rods distant, on the same side of the river where they were

In the night, when all were sleeping, I came out from our lodge, and bent my steps toward your town.

"Shame were it to me and my wife," said Thorne, "did we let one who has saved a life very dear to us,

As may readily be supposed, Thorne and his family were unbounded in their expressions of gratitude—and

were bid for them.

There were four of us.

Vain were their hopes.

Methought I was wandering through the cities of a mighty and populous empire.

People were hurrying up and down the streets. The children were dressed in gay clothes.

growing interest in the Washington Temperance Societies—named after George Washington—whose members were

The Washingtonians were known for their "experience meetings" in which former drunkards would tell the

Among temperance novels then quite popular were Lucius Manley Sargent's My Mother's Gold Ring (1833),

Cheever's The Commonplace Book of American Poetry (1831, but often reprinted), a standard anthology of

Wilson (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 2014), 32–53.

Boarding houses flourished in New York City in the mid-nineteenth century.

Some of them informed the reader that there were "no children in the house."

A third and fourth trial were alike unsuccessful.

"And how do you like the city?" said he.

not as large as their means, for they were rich.

Franklin Evans; Boarding houses flourished in New York City in the mid-nineteenth century.

published in the New York Aurora on March, 18, 1842, Whitman estimated that "half the inhabitants of the city

hire accommodations at these houses," and noted that "if we were called upon to describe the universal

chequer-board, and the appearance of the little table, and the very words of some of the songs that were

—My slumbers were deep and unbroken.

So were those of the preceding evening, and yet the nature of each was widely different.

On our way we were joined by a third person named Mitchell, a friend of my friend's.

We reached an open space, on one side, where there were quite a number of persons idling.

—Young men, in our cities, think much more of dress than they do of decent behavior.

And now I was in the city. Here I had come to seek my fortune.

The teachers were, however, by no means overburthened with learning themselves; and my acquirements were

Thousands had gone before me, and thousands were coming still.

Were not the chances much more against me than they had been against a thousand others, who were the

Franklin Evans; Although Whitman's notebooks and his later poetry often celebrate the city and urban

life, Franklin Evans and "Fortunes of a Country-Boy" reveal some anti-urban sentiments, which were characteristic

that transported passengers or parcels on a regular schedule. for those whose means or dispositions were

is a part of the State of New York, and stretches out into the Atlantic, just south-eastward of the city

many pretty towns and hamlets; the soil is fertile, and the people, though not refined or versed in city

who noticed him, thought they saw him brushing something from his eyes—the traces of tears, as it were

, one might easily judge that fun and frolic were the elements he delighted in.

Under the auspices of my friend Colby, I became pretty well used to city life; and before the winter

So that my own labors were now as heavy as when I first commenced them.

Those who were supposed to be at home in such affairs, more than hinted that he would before long be

The carpets were very rich, the curtains glossy silk, and the chairs heavy mahogany.

as they parted, would hardly have thought them to be aught else than two respectable citizens—yet were

This tale is Whitman's earliest known short story and the first of nine stories by Whitman that were

"Boys," said he, "I have had a complaint entered, that last night some of you were stealing fruit from

"Were you by Mr. Nichols's garden-fence last night?" said Lugare.

You were seen, Tim Barker, to come from under Mr.

I would that he were an isolated instance in his profession.

This tale is Whitman's earliest known short story and the first of nine stories by Whitman that were

Widows, left with a narrow competence; young children; sick people, whose cases were hopeless, but who

might languish on for many years; sailors, away upon the ocean; fishermen, whose earnings were scant

novitiate; all these, and hundreds more, had either deposited sums of money in the institution, or were

Cost and pains were not spared, until Desire had no further room for wishing.

—Preparations were accordingly made; scientific cooks were engaged; foreign delicacies purchased, and

city, upon conjugal matters.

My evil destiny would have it that an old city acquaintance of mine, Mrs.

—Luckless were the stars that led her southward!

It needs not to explain all the artifices which were used for effecting what the plotters desired to

And then the creole thought of many little things that had before been airy trifles, but were now too

criticism, see Jonathan Arac, "Whitman and Problems of the Vernacular," in Breaking Bounds: Whitman and American

Sleep and Repose were there with their pleasant ministerings, and Silence, the handmaiden of both.

the chamber of the sick one there was a lamp, sending forth its feeble beams, and looking as if it were

There was no nurse or watcher there, for the physician had said it was of no importance, and all were

And were all her late hopes to vanish? That pale-browed northerner married to him she loved?

Those who were present felt awed at her terrible grief.

The events were so strange—and my own conduct, in respect to some of them, so very unreasonable, that

I had hardly arrived in the city, and was at my home there, before a messenger came with a most urgent

first thrown, as it were by the hand of Providence, under my charge."

My nearest relatives, who were never friendly to me in life, have long since been laid in the grave;

My country relations were not forgotten by me in my good fortune.

They were either committed or begun when I was under the influence of liquor, and lost the control of

But my acts during the few weeks I resided at Bourne's, were done more in the method of deliberate and

I had my eyes open, and still went on, as though I were blindfolded.

While matters were in the situation described in the last few paragraphs, a danger was preparing, that

Vain were there their hopes.

The mails to the distant place were very irregular; and besides, a letter to that town where his agent

resided, would not reach it in time, now, if there were no impediment.

But the scenes which I witnessed there, and the duties my situation obliged me to perform, were not pleasant

regular breathing of the sleeping girl, was the only sound that broke that terrible stillness—for we were

Then she probably felt conscious how very short were her moments, and how she might die ere the drowsy

They were the signals for a general desertion on the part of the attendants.

creole lived in her former situation, as far as locality was concerned; but her heart and her happiness were

and brooding over her griefs, and her injuries, which fancy made many times greater than they really were

It were hardly amiss to guess that the dreams of the young hunter that night were interwoven with huge

So kindly were her requests proposed, and so yearning, if the truth be told, were the Lonesome Man's

From where they were situated, the hunters could not distinctly see the quarrellers—but the latter were

No scuffling or angry words were there now.

The hunters were mistaken in supposing it dead.

The installments were sometimes preceded by poems on the front pages of the Eagle; a poem titled "The

"; A sachem is a chief or leader of a Native American tribe.; Whitman began the third installment of

The rain now poured down a cataract; the shops were all shut; few of the street lamps were lighted; and

Nearer by were cultivated fields.

After desolating the cities of the eastern world, the dreaded Cholera made its appearance on our American

It even seemed as if he were thus making interest in the Courts of Heaven.

Boarding houses flourished in New York City in the mid-nineteenth century.

This tale is the eighth of nine short stories by Whitman that were published for the first time in The

Nassau Street is located in the financial district in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.; Whitman

See John Duff, History of Public Health in New York City, 1625–1866, Volume 1 (New York: Russell Sage

Boarding houses flourished in New York City in the mid-nineteenth century.

hire accommodations at these houses," and noted that "if we were called upon to describe the universal

The house was in a straggling village some fifty miles from New York city.

Love, agony, and grief, and tears, and convulsive wrestlings were there.

The individuals in the middle of the room were dancing; that is, they were going through certain contortions

His countenance was intelligent and had the air of city life and society.

that they were all together.

Michael Winship has written in response to an email query that the extra sheets were likely issued at

Cheever's The Commonplace Book of American Poetry (1831, but often reprinted), where they are attributed

The Washington societies, part of the Washingtonian temperance movement, were popular in New York in

Masculinity in 1840s Temperance Narratives," in Sentimental Men: Masculinity and the Politics of Affect in American

reader is omitted in Collect.; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American

I have more confidence in the judgment of intelligent American women, and men too, than to think they

This girl was a deaf mute, the daughter of a wretched intemperate couple in the neighborhood, who were

The sons were employed in some mercantile establishment in N EW -Y ORK , in which city the daughter,

Austen, Wilmerding and Co., auctioneers, were located at 30 Exchange Street, corner of William."

Brasher also cites Joseph Jay Rubin, "Whitman and the Boy-Forger," American Literature 10 (May 1938),

woman, a widow, occupied a basement in one of the streets leading down to the North river, in New York city

for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb persons, founded in 1817, and later named The American

Austen, Wilmerding and Co., auctioneers, were located at 30 Exchange Street, corner of William."

Brasher also cites Joseph Jay Rubin, "Whitman and the Boy-Forger," American Literature 10 (May 1938),

the opening to this story before reprinting it as " The Boy-Lover " in the May 1845 issue of the American

Several of these later revisions are noted in our footnotes to the American Review version .

They were set before us by the sober Margery, no one else being visible.

As frequently happened, we were the only company.

Back of the house were some fields, and our path leading into clumps of trees.

revised the opening to this story before reprinting it as "The Boy-Lover" in the May 1845 issue of the American

Several of these later revisions are noted in our footnotes to the American Review version.

a cloth used to wrap a corpse.; Transcribed from digital images of an original issue held at the American