Untitled story (Maybe it don’t seem like anything interesting and . . .)

Introduction

UNTITLED STORY (Maybe it don’t seem like anything interesting and . . .). About 830 words, unfinished.

This untitled and unfinished story delves into the seemingly mundane life of Bloomsville, Mississippi, and reveals how an unexpected event can ripple through the lives of its inhabitants. The narrative begins with a simple, idle day by the Mississippi River and quickly transforms into a mysterious adventure involving a foreign stranger, a hidden bundle, and a peculiar book. The story hints at a larger, unseen world of intrigue and danger, connecting the small town of Bloomsville to distant India.

Summary

The narrator begins by describing the town of Bloomsville, Mississippi, which appears unremarkable unless the Mississippi River overflows. He compares a seemingly trivial event in Bloomsville to the ripples caused by a pebble thrown into a pond, suggesting that significant events can arise from small beginnings, influenced by faraway actions.

The story unfolds as the narrator and his friend, “Hawk” Egan, sit on a log by the riverbank. They watch a large passenger steamer pass by when suddenly, a man dives overboard into the water. The narrator is alarmed, but Hawk, known for his sharp vision, asserts that the man did not fall but deliberately dived. Hawk further identifies the man as neither white nor black but having a mustache atypical for either race. He speculates that the man swam underwater to the shore.

After a brief argument, the two friends part ways. The narrator returns home, where his sister Marion persuades him to accompany her on a flower-picking outing, despite his reluctance. They travel inland, and while Marion gathers flowers, the narrator dozes off. He awakens to find a mysterious man, matching Hawk’s description, standing over him with a small bundle and a hand inside his coat, possibly holding a weapon. The man, appearing frightened, quickly disappears into the underbrush.

Curious, the narrator follows the man stealthily, observing him hide the bundle in a hollow tree before fleeing. The narrator retrieves the bundle, which contains a large, richly bound book with strange symbols on the cover. Realizing the potential danger, he also flees the scene.

Characters

  • Narrator: The main character who discovers the hidden book and narrates the events.
  • “Hawk” Egan: The narrator’s friend, known for his sharp vision and observational skills.
  • Marion: The narrator’s sister, who persuades him to join her in picking flowers.
  • Mysterious Man: A foreign-looking stranger with a mustache, carrying a bundle and possibly armed, who hides the book in a hollow tree.

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