The Seven Vagabonds (From "Twice Told Tales")

"The Seven Vagabonds (From 'Twice Told Tales')" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story that follows a traveler as he meets several interesting people on their way to a gathering in Stamford. Set in the 1800s during a time of great interest in emotion, nature, and individualism, the story centers on the experiences of this group who choose a wandering lifestyle over settling down. The story begins when the main character meets an old entertainer and a writer who travels together in a mobile home, putting on shows for people that they encounter. These two are soon joined by a group of distinct individuals: a cheerful fiddler, a fortune-telling beggar, and even an Indian. They each represent different views on what it means to be happy and bring their experiences to the group. Their happiness is cut short when they discover the meeting they were intending to attend has already ended. In the end, the story shows how temporary their friendship is and the protagonist continues with the Indian, considering the differences in their two lives.