In the Border Country

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22310

Title

In the Border Country

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A haunting tale of a woman who flees a terrifying odour and a frantic carriage ride to find sanctuary in a mysterious woodland. Guided by a wise old woman, she discovers a community where labor and pleasure are inseparable, only to realize she has traveled through time and space to a medieval castle where she meets a young Countess who reveals the timeless nature of their shared wisdom.

Summary up to 500 words

In Josephine Daskam Bacon's *In the Border Country*, a woman fleeing a terrifying atmosphere marked by a strange odor and a chaotic carriage ride stumbles into a secluded hut deep within a dense wood. There, an elderly woman offers her rest and food, explaining that the forest exists in perpetual twilight. Upon awakening, the woman finds herself in a vibrant, self-sufficient community known as the Farm. Here, the 'Dame' teaches that true pleasure is found within the work of the seasons, rejecting the modern separation of labor and leisure. The woman struggles with this reality, fearing she is lost or mad, until she encounters a young Countess in a medieval castle setting. Through a series of transformative encounters, the narrative reveals that the 'Dame' and the 'Countess' are the same soul appearing in different eras to teach a singular lesson: life is a continuous stream of action and service. The woman learns she has been a 'Mother of Sorrow' throughout history, urged by the Countess to embrace active living over passive rest. The story culminates in a revelation that the woman has accepted her role in the eternal cycle of life. She finds peace not in retirement or quiet contemplation, but in the ongoing work of caring for others. The tale concludes with the woman realizing that women are running streams that muddy if they settle; they must live and find life out in living. The narrative suggests that while solitude allows for thought, true fulfillment comes from engagement with the world, bridging the gap between the city's hurried life and the timeless, purposeful rhythm of the Farm and the Castle.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22310.epub.noimages

Local file path

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Categories

• Short Stories
• Fiction