Ticket No. 9672 by Jules Verne

“Ticket No. 9672,” by Jules Verne, published in 1887, is a tale set in a small Norwegian village. It follows the story of Hulda Hansen, who anxiously awaits the return of her betrothed, Ole Kamp, from a dangerous fishing expedition. Filled with suspense, love, and the challenges of hope against adversity, the story unfolds with the arrival of a mysterious stranger and the ticking clock of fate.

Plot Summary

In the quaint village of Dal, nestled in the heart of Norway, the Hansen family ran a modest yet comfortable inn. Hulda Hansen, a young woman of grace and beauty, lived with her mother and her brother, Joel. The small village life was simple, but it brimmed with warmth, hope, and dreams, especially for Hulda, who was eagerly awaiting the return of her betrothed, Ole Kamp. Ole was a brave fisherman who had ventured to the perilous fishing banks of Newfoundland to earn a fortune for their future together. His letters came regularly at first, filled with tales of the sea and promises of a swift return. Yet as time passed, the letters ceased, leaving Hulda with a heart full of worry and a mind plagued by dark dreams.

Days in Dal were filled with preparations for Ole’s return. Joel, Hulda’s protective brother, busied himself with the wedding arrangements, hoping to lift his sister’s spirits. The villagers were excited about the grand celebration that would bring joy to their humble hamlet. Yet, beneath this veil of festivity lay an undercurrent of fear and anxiety. The sea was a cruel mistress, and every day without news from Ole deepened the shadow over Hulda’s heart.

One misty afternoon, a stranger arrived at the inn. Wrapped in a cloak that shielded him from the chill of the Norwegian winds, he demanded the best room and the finest food the inn had to offer. His demeanor was cold, his eyes sharp and calculating. He spent hours walking around the inn, inspecting every corner with an unsettling intensity. His presence unsettled Hulda and her mother, Dame Hansen, who watched him with growing unease. When he finally introduced himself, he revealed his name to be Sandgoist, a name that carried an ominous weight in Dame Hansen’s mind.

Sandgoist’s visit was no coincidence. He had come with a purpose that he kept hidden behind his stern gaze and cryptic words. He spoke little, but his actions spoke volumes. He measured the inn with his eyes, assessed its value with the air of a man accustomed to weighing and valuing properties. His demeanor suggested he had come to collect something, and Hulda feared he might bring bad news about Ole. The dark cloud of his presence loomed over the inn, casting a shadow that seemed to dim even the brightest fire in the hearth.

Days turned into weeks, and the absence of news about Ole gnawed at Hulda’s hope. The village, once bustling with the excitement of an impending wedding, fell into a quiet lull. Joel tried to comfort his sister, assuring her that delays at sea were common. Yet even his words began to sound hollow as time dragged on without a single letter or a sign of the ship “Viking.” Hulda spent hours by the window, eyes scanning the horizon as if willing Ole to appear on the road, hale and hearty, ready to fulfill his promise.

The villagers began to whisper. Rumors of shipwrecks and storms reached Dal, carried by the winds from far-off lands. Hulda refused to believe them, clinging to the memory of Ole’s strong arms around her and his voice promising to return. But doubt crept in, like a thief in the night, stealing into her dreams and turning them into nightmares. The once vibrant joy in her eyes faded, replaced by a deep, unspoken sorrow.

One evening, Sandgoist approached Dame Hansen. Their conversation was brief but heavy with implication. He presented a ticket — “Ticket No. 9672” — and a tale of debt. Ole, in his quest to secure a future for Hulda and himself, had fallen into debt with Sandgoist. The ticket was a grim reminder of a loan Ole had taken to finance his voyage, a loan that was now due. If Ole failed to return, the inn, the family’s sole means of livelihood, would pass into Sandgoist’s hands.

Dame Hansen’s stoic demeanor crumbled under the weight of this revelation. The inn, their home, and Hulda’s future, all hung in the balance. Hulda, upon learning of the ticket, felt her world shatter. It was not just the fear of losing the inn that tormented her, but the growing certainty that Ole might never return. She clung to the ticket, now a symbol of her hope and despair, a piece of paper that held her dreams and fears in its inked numbers.

Joel, ever the protector, vowed to fight for their home. He began to seek out information, to find any way to hold off Sandgoist and give Ole time to return. He traveled to neighboring towns, inquiring about the “Viking” and any news of its fate. Yet, each journey brought back only silence and more questions. The sea had kept its secrets well, and it seemed unwilling to release them.

As the deadline approached, Hulda grew more resolute. She would not let the inn fall into Sandgoist’s hands without a fight. With Joel by her side, she stood ready to confront the man who had brought such sorrow into their lives. Sandgoist, however, was unmoved. To him, it was merely a matter of business, a transaction that would soon be completed.

The day finally came when Sandgoist demanded his due. The villagers gathered at the inn, their hearts heavy with grief for Hulda and her family. Just as Sandgoist prepared to claim the inn, a cry rang out from the road. A figure appeared on the horizon, limping but unmistakable — Ole. Against all odds, he had returned.

Ole’s tale was one of survival and determination. The “Viking” had been caught in a terrible storm, wrecked upon the rocky shores of a desolate island. He and a handful of his crew had fought against the elements, struggling to return home. His return was a miracle, and with it came the salvation of the Hansen family. Ole repaid the debt with the remnants of his earnings, securing the inn and their future.

With Sandgoist defeated, the village of Dal rejoiced. The wedding, once shrouded in uncertainty, became a celebration of love’s triumph over adversity. Hulda and Ole were wed, their union blessed by the hope and perseverance that had carried them through the darkest of times. The inn, now filled with laughter and joy, stood as a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit’s resilience.

Main Characters

• Hulda Hansen: A young and kind-hearted woman who is deeply in love with Ole Kamp. Her patience and hope are central to the story as she waits for Ole’s return from a fishing voyage.
• Ole Kamp: A brave fisherman engaged to Hulda. His journey and the mystery surrounding his absence drive much of the novel’s suspense.
• Joel Hansen: Hulda’s supportive brother who tries to maintain the inn and support his sister during Ole’s absence. He is a kind and hardworking man who plays a crucial role in the narrative.
• Dame Hansen: The mother of Hulda and Joel. She is a stoic and somewhat mysterious figure who seems to carry a secret that affects the family.
• The Mysterious Stranger: A mysterious guest at the Hansen’s inn whose presence adds an element of intrigue to the story.

Theme

• Love and Devotion: The novel explores the depth of love and commitment between Hulda and Ole. Despite the long separation and uncertainty, Hulda’s unwavering faith in Ole’s return is a testament to the strength of their bond.
• Hope and Perseverance: Hulda embodies hope as she waits for Ole’s return. Her perseverance through difficult times serves as an inspiration, showcasing the power of hope in overcoming adversity.
• Mystery and Suspense: Verne introduces a sense of mystery with the arrival of the stranger at the inn and the unknown fate of Ole. This suspense keeps readers engaged and eager to uncover the truth.
• The Struggles of Ordinary Life: Unlike Verne’s more fantastical adventures, this novel delves into the everyday challenges of the characters, such as running an inn, dealing with financial uncertainties, and the emotional turmoil of waiting for a loved one.

Writing Style and Tone

Jules Verne’s writing in “Ticket No. 9672” is distinct from his more famous science fiction works. Here, he adopts a more grounded and realistic style, focusing on the intricacies of daily life in a small Norwegian village. His descriptions of the setting are vivid and atmospheric, painting a detailed picture of the landscape and the inn’s quaint charm.

The tone of the novel is a blend of melancholy and hope, capturing the emotional depth of the characters’ experiences. Verne’s use of dialogue is natural and helps to build the suspense and mystery surrounding Ole’s fate and the stranger’s intentions. Overall, Verne crafts a narrative that, while not as grand in scale as his other works, delves deeply into the human spirit and the complexities of love and waiting.