Page 99 - English Class 08

“Yes; to Berlington. I saw this good fire and all your cheerful faces, I felt as if you had

kindled it on purpose for me and were awaiting my arrival. So, I shall sit down among you
and make myself at home.”

The frank-hearted stranger had just drawn his chair to the fire when something like a
heavy footstep was heard. The family held their breath because they knew the sound.

“The old mountain has thrown a stone at us, for fear we should forget him,” said the
landlord, recovering himself. “He sometimes nods his head and threatens to come down.”

The guest finished his supper and placed himself on a footing of kindness with the whole
family. In the household of the Notch, he found warmth and simplicity of feeling. He was a
proud, yet gentle spirit, haughty and reserved. He had travelled far and alone; his whole life,
indeed, had been solitary path. The secret of the young man’s character was a high and

abstracted ambition. He could have been born to live an undistinguished life, but not to be
forgotten in the grave.

“As yet,” cried the stranger, his cheek glowing and his eyes flashing with enthusiasm , I
have done nothing. Were I to vanish from the earth tomorrow, none would know so much of

me as you; that a nameless youth came at the nightfall from the valley of the Saco and
opened his heart to you in the evening and passed through the Notch by sunrise and was
seen no more. But, I cannot die till I have achieved my destiny. Then let death come! I shall
have built my monument!” There was a continual flow of natural emotions which enabled

the family to understand this young man’s sentiments.
enthusiasm : eagerness

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