THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 rv 
 
 FROM THE BOOKS OF 
 
 WILLIAM P. JACOCKS, M.D. 
 
 CLASS OF 1904 
 FRIEND OF THE LIBRARY 
 
 C6 
 
 H 52.3m I 
 
A Y TUSSLE 
 WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 JND OTHER STORIES 
 
 By 
 O. HENRY'S GHOST 
 
 
 % 
 
 VC7/ 
 
 I. M. Y. COMPANY 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 1918 
 
Copyright, 1918. 
 by I. M. Y. Company 
 
Q[i|e larrase 3itt 
 
 I 
 
 FEEL I cannot give O. 
 Henry's Ghost better am- 
 munition with which to 
 meet his critics than a bit 
 of truth voiced by Joan in one of 
 Algernon Blackwood's wonderful 
 
 books. 
 
 "The beloved dead step nearer 
 when their bodies drop aside. They 
 know where they are and what they 
 are doing. It's not for us to worry 
 — in that way. And they are out of 
 hours and minutes/' 
 
 To meet the onslaught of you, Mr. 
 Scoffer and Mr. Skeptic, who will say, 
 "Impossible! They are not a bit like 
 O. Henry's stories! They lack all his 
 virility, etc., etc." I say at once, 
 of course they are different! Where 
 before his stories were w^ritten in 
 the bold black and red of human 
 passions, which belong to materiality, 
 
 3 
 
4 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 now, tJiey must of necessity be pastel 
 in hue and delicate gossamer things, 
 for O. Henry's Ghost is using finer 
 material to mold his creations. The 
 land where he dwells is subject to 
 a different rate of vibration, and as 
 the rhythm must be totally unlike, it 
 is natural that the thoughts should 
 flow and take form in the vehicle of 
 poets. 
 
 But one characteristic is dominant 
 still — the completeness of each Pas- 
 tel. Not a word more is needed to 
 complete a picture or convey an emo- 
 tion, and while the aspiration of O.' 
 Henry's Ghost has changed and he 
 deals with higher, finer forces and de- 
 sires, he still retains his mastery of 
 the short story. 
 
 Attack from all sides, if you will, 
 but the only guns you can fire are, "I 
 believe" and "I think," which shall 
 bring forth in reply the bomb "I 
 KNOW!!" 
 
THE BARRAGE FIRE S 
 
 Because the spirit known as O. 
 Henry came before the curtain on this 
 particular stage in the garb of heavy 
 woolen materiality, thundering vivid, 
 scarlet tales, is no reason why, having 
 made his exit, — after playing out his 
 role, — he should not return in a dif- 
 ferent characterization and in chiffon 
 garb. 
 
 If he is not recognized in the new 
 one upon his entrance it is no evi- 
 dence that the same spirit does not 
 animate both, and the perfection of 
 detail and artistry in both characteri- 
 zations is convincing proof of the 
 same dominant spirit. 
 
 While the stories necessarily re- 
 flect in their style the high aspira- 
 tion that prompted them, they prove, 
 as O. Henry's Ghost so vividly re- 
 marked, that a leopard can change its 
 spots. 
 
 Flashes of the O. Henry who wrote 
 **The Man About Town" are found 
 
6 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 in the bits of personal conversation 
 from O. Henry's Ghost, and the old 
 and new are blended in the following 
 birthday greeting: '*! give you my 
 gladsome wish for a comrade and 
 gratitude for opening the doors to a 
 scrivener. If it was the olden days 
 I should have been foolish enough to 
 say 'Have a drink to celebrate/ 
 Now I shall tell you to take a whiff 
 of ambrosia fit for gods and shall 
 join you with a gladsome spirit. 
 Here's how!" 
 
 The sledge hammer blows wielded 
 by the personality of O. Henry can 
 only dull to insensibility and bring 
 forth a murmur of "I think" and ''I 
 believe," while the darting shafts of 
 O. Henry's Ghost will pierce the 
 clouds and bring forth the chorus of 
 "I know" to those who, having eyes 
 — see — and having ears — hear! 
 
 It is today the same as when Plato 
 said: 
 
THE BARRAGE FIRE 7 
 
 "Strange times are these in which we 
 
 live, forsooth : 
 When old and young are taught in 
 
 Falsehood's School ! 
 And the one man who dares to tell 
 
 the Truth 
 Is called at once a 'Lunatic' and 'Fool.' " 
 
 But at any rate, they go forth at 
 the request of O. Henry's Ghost and 
 with the belief that the beauty of 
 thought will be a joyful remembrance 
 of one who was known as O. Henry. 
 
 Parma. 
 
 June 27th, 1918. 
 158 Ocean Boulevard, 
 Atlantic Highlands, 
 New Jersey. 
 
Contents! 
 
 Comments ^^ 
 
 Over There ^^ 
 
 Foreword ^^ 
 
 My Tussle With the Devil ... 41 
 
 The Contest 5/ 
 
 Sleeping ^^ 
 
 Yearning '^ 
 
 Animals — 
 
 Weariness— I. The King ... 87 
 
 11. The Toiler . . 88 
 
 The Slave 91 
 
 Flowers — 
 
 Missionaries 101 
 
 Jewels — 
 
 Multitudes 107 
 
 Remembrances 113 
 
 Munitions 119 
 
 Going Home 127 
 
 My Hearth 135 
 
 The Three H's 143 
 
 The Senses 161 
 
 9 
 
10 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Fancies — 
 
 Fancies 167 
 
 Trusting 170 
 
 Thoughts 171 
 
 Thinking 172 
 
 Yesterday — Today 177 
 
 Action — Reaction 189 
 
 A Vision 195 
 
Comments 
 
Comments; 
 
 THE COMING OF THE STORIES 
 
 ROM the first we used the 
 Ouija Board not as a toy, 
 but as a serious medium 
 through which we received 
 guidance in our affairs and teachings 
 of the Great Law of Life, for which 
 we were searching. We were de- 
 termined to have only the truth, and 
 so we ehminated the frivolous and 
 deceiving, who are ever on the watch 
 for the ignorant user of the "Board" 
 — to amuse themselves with his 
 credulity, or through sheer devilish- 
 ness to lead him to disaster — material 
 and spiritual. 
 
 Those with whom we talked were 
 Great Invisible Teachers — who were 
 on the Earth plane to help humanity 
 
 — and a close relative whose develop- 
 
 13 
 
14 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 ment we followed with intense inter- 
 est, and to whose advice in .critical 
 moments we owe much. 
 
 This was the situation when early 
 in September, 1917, we were told that 
 if we would sit at the "Board" each 
 afternoon about four-thirty o'clock, 
 with a positive determination to re- 
 ceive only that which was worth 
 while, and shut the door at once to 
 anyone whose offerings did not reach 
 a high standard, we would receive 
 things that would surprise us. 
 
 Accordingly, on September 18, 
 1917, we waited results — they came 
 as follows: 
 
 ''My little talent I suppose you will 
 consider insnfficient/' 
 
 "Who are you?" we asked. 
 
 ''Useless to give name/' came the 
 answer. "If you do not knozv when 
 the story is finished, it is N. G." 
 
 "I zvish to tell the world zvhat is 
 theirs for the asking. To try and 
 
CO}fMF.XTS 15 
 
 give them a new viewpoint in place 
 of their erroneous ideas/' 
 
 '7 did not know as much then as 
 I do nozv. Before I zvrote zvhat the 
 Self sazv only — nozf it is zvJiat I 
 know/' 
 
 ''We'll take a chance — go ahead/' 
 I said. 
 
 Then followed a story called 'The 
 
 Contest." 
 
 How do we know it was the spirit 
 of O. Henry? We wall let the rec- 
 ord speak for itself. The truth al- 
 ways carries conviction, except to 
 minds the doors of which are double- 
 barred. 
 
 It was evidently the first time this 
 Spirit had used a Ouija Board, for 
 he was not sure of the location of 
 the letters, and after the first para- 
 graph saidr 
 
 ''My force is insufficient ; it tires 
 me to spell each zvord so slozvly.'' 
 
 We told him to go as fast as he 
 
16 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 liked. He soon learned how to apply 
 his force, and all went smoothly. 
 
 When the story ended, I wrote the 
 name ''O. Henry" on a slip of paper 
 and asked if I had guessed correctly. 
 The reply w^as ''Yes.'' 
 
 We were so impressed with the 
 story that I said, **It is good enough 
 for the Atlantic Monthly." 
 
 The comment was, '7/ they take it, 
 my revenge would be complete. That 
 is for the 'Elite' I did not belong." 
 
 The next day came first what was 
 evidently a title, ''My tussle zuith 
 the Devil" 
 
 We asked, "Who is speaking to- 
 day?" 
 
 ''An imaginative fellow/' was the 
 reply. 
 
 "Is it the same with whom we 
 talked yesterday?" we asked. "Yes; 
 it is a joy once more to zveave a plot." 
 
 A little later, when the work was 
 resumed after an interruption of sev- 
 
COMMENTS 17 
 
 eral days, O. Henry's Ghost began 
 with : 
 
 '7 am glad to see you" 
 
 "Did you miss us?" 
 
 ''That's whatr was the answer. 
 
 The day was rainy and the story 
 rather serious, or so it impressed us, 
 for we asked: 
 
 "Why don't you give us a cheer- 
 ful story?" 
 
 His reply silenced further sugges- 
 tions. It was: 
 
 "Kindly allow me to express what 
 I feeir 
 
 O. Henry's individuality was 
 clearly marked from the first and we 
 had no doubt about his genuineness, 
 but an incident which occurred one 
 afternoon may serve to convince the 
 skeptical. 
 
 Several times we had been both- 
 ered by the interruptions of a boy 
 Spirit called William Mumm, who 
 was possessed with an over-developed 
 
18 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 sense of humor. Often we knew that 
 O. Henry was being crowded by 
 others who thought that they should 
 be given a chance to express them- 
 selves, and once or twice the writing 
 stopped until things quieted down. 
 On this occasion Mumm broke in 
 with, "Henry is giving too many or- 
 ders." 
 
 On being told in a forceful way 
 what we thought of his interference, 
 he said, "My word! That was a hot 
 shot! I won^t butt in again:" — and 
 he didn't. 
 
 Later, when we asked O. Henry 
 whether others were present, he said, 
 "They are hanging around, hut not 
 hutting in/' 
 
 As we got better acquainted, there 
 was more conversation of a personal 
 nature before the story for the day 
 was started. 
 
 To the question whether before he 
 "crossed over" he had had any real 
 Truth, he said: 
 
COMMENTS 19 
 
 ''No, my teaching was hell and 
 damnation^' 
 
 We, of course, were curious to 
 know how he discovered us. His an- 
 swer was in Hne with what we had 
 been taught — that each person ap- 
 pears as a Hght, shining with in- 
 creasing brilHancy as one learns the 
 Truth and lives it. He said: 
 
 ''Letting your light so shine led me 
 here — / desired to tell what I felt and 
 knew, and sought an avenue; your 
 beacon beckoned me, and your 
 teacher bade me enter/' 
 
 Once when we mentioned a finan- 
 cial pressure he said: 
 
 "That's the only hell there is on 
 earth — that and lack of love which 
 sends one to rum shops/' 
 
 After another break in our work 
 with the stories, we were welcomed 
 with: 
 
 "It has been a long time since we 
 have talked. I wish you joy." 
 
20 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 To our usual question ''who is with 
 us?" came the answer: 
 
 '7 was called Henry" 
 
 A glimpse into conditions on the 
 "other side" was given when we 
 asked O. Henry whether he had 
 found a friend of whose "passing 
 over" we had told him. 
 
 *'No" he replied; '7 have not 
 found him. He must be resting, and 
 we make it a point never to disturb, 
 for the rest periods are of the most 
 importance and hasten growth. I 
 shall watch for him when he makes 
 his mansion." 
 
 "What do you mean by that?" we 
 asked. 
 
 "In the beginning of life here we 
 ■make little progress — unless knowl- 
 edge of the Truth has been ours be- 
 fore coming over. That is why it is 
 so necessary to learn before leaving 
 the Earth Sphere, Without that 
 one must wander aimlessly or rest 
 
COMMENTS 21 
 
 and gaze at things of the past — and 
 our associates are other unfortunates 
 who have had closed ears before leav- 
 ing. 
 
 "When one has reviewed a certain 
 number of lives — or generally a se- 
 quence of events — then comes a ten- 
 der friend who points out advantage- 
 ous work and study, and which, if 
 followed, always means the beginning 
 of progress and growth. It is only 
 after that has been made use of that 
 we begin our mansion or abiding 
 place. 
 
 ''Keep it always in your mind, the 
 foundation stones are Knowledge, 
 Wisdom, Power — and then it is built 
 by the thought and desire of Aspira- 
 tion, Beauty and Love. 
 
 '7 want to impress upon you and 
 all mankind the necessity of 'Know- 
 ing,' and, what is more to the point, 
 'Believing.' 
 
 "If you will lend me your pencil. 
 
22 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 most generous person, I may be able 
 to say all I want. Now it seems 
 as if I never would be able to get rid 
 of it all. 
 
 '*If you would publish a magazine 
 it would be a ^hummer.' The trouble 
 is, there is no periodical which has 
 any one back of it zvho KNOWS. 
 They all prattle and the almighty dol- 
 lar is the main thing. Truth would 
 bring them faster than anytJiing if 
 they would only believe it. Let's 
 work it out! It would be great! Now 
 to work, if you don't mind. 
 
 ''In a sunny nook by a babbling 
 brook I have built my mansion.'' 
 
 O. Henry was very enthusiastic 
 over the idea of a magazine. Refer- 
 ring to it again, he said, ''Call it the 
 Sphinx." Get at it at once. Have it 
 contain only tales which teach, and 
 Wisdom." 
 
 Once when he talked on until late 
 in the evening, and we became tired, 
 
COMMENTS 23 
 
 he said, when the lateness of the hour 
 was mentioned: 
 
 ''It is all the same here; I forget. 
 My impatience is still that stumbling 
 block. With many thanks — good 
 night/' 
 
 One rainy day we were ready 
 earlier than usual and O. Henry was 
 evidently in exceptionally good hu- 
 mor, greeting us with: 
 
 ''Well, this is a surprise! It's 
 bully r 
 
 "Kind of nice in here. We do not 
 feel the rain, but we like sunshine bet- 
 ter.'' 
 
 One story we received was not up 
 to the O. Henry standard, and we did 
 not hesitate to say so. Our views 
 must have been rather more force- 
 fully expressed than we realized, for 
 he said: 
 
 . . "I have read and had many criti- 
 cisms of my stories before, but they 
 never came as hard or as fast as this 
 one. Wipe it out." 
 
24 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 With that he redictated the last 
 half of the story, changing it com- 
 pletely and to the satisfaction of all. 
 
 With his next story we were par- 
 ticularly pleased, and on our saying 
 so, he said: 
 
 7 thank you and am glad you really 
 like it. Have to watch my P's and 
 Q's now or I will lose my publisher. 
 It is great to he compelled to do one's 
 best. It means the continuation of 
 aspiration. Lying Spirits do not 
 aspire. Having publishers who will 
 accept nothing but the truth and only 
 the best one is capable of is a bit of 
 a novelty. Pity there are not more 
 of them for material, as well as spir- 
 itual fiction. You might get Hoover 
 to add that plan for conservation of 
 paper and ink. If we over here had 
 more publishers like you there would 
 be more truth spread broadcast. The 
 trouble is most of the offices accept 
 anything, just so it has a name at- 
 tached. 
 
COMMENTS 25 
 
 "Whafs in a name? — Nothing'' 
 
 ''What's in a Truth? — Every- 
 thing." 
 
 Unless the Spirit moving the indi- 
 cator on the board is an advanced 
 soul, having great power, he usually 
 draws from the persons he is work- 
 ing through. This O. Henry was at 
 times forced to do, and so we under- 
 stood, when one day, instead of start- 
 ing a story he said : 
 
 "Your teacher says you hesitate to 
 tell when you are tired. Better to 
 have a perfect pen for two lines, than 
 none at all for twenty. Tell me the 
 moment you become fatigued. There 
 is time for the lot. If you are de- 
 pleted through my coming, it will he 
 curtailed, if not stopped, and that 
 would he too dreadful! Much better 
 a half a loaf at a time than none at 
 all. Please tell me. Your teacher 
 thinks you have sufficient without 
 zvhat I am, dictating but feels that it 
 
26 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 is worth while providing you are not 
 in any way injured by the work. I 
 so want to have the opportunity. Do, 
 kind person, tell me and let ns go 
 slower. Last night I chattered; no 
 reason for it at all, except the pleas- 
 ure of doing it, and you were tired, 
 the teacher says, before I began." 
 
 We agreed to be more careful, and 
 O. Henry said: 
 
 "That's a bargain.'' 
 
 In speaking of the many plots 
 crowding his mind and which he 
 wanted to express, he said: 
 
 "Riches are a burden at times. I 
 wish to rid myself of them. Quick 
 returns will follow. With much ma- 
 terial off my mind I shall be able to 
 develop much, more worth zvhile. 
 Hurry! Life takes up so many 
 hours." 
 
 Before starting a series of stories 
 of a different nature from those given 
 first, he said: 
 
COMMENTS 27 
 
 ''My wish is to widen the horizon. 
 It is important for humanity to 
 know. It must recognise the oneness 
 of everything. We will write of 
 more than man. I will give a series. 
 First Beasts — then Flowers and 
 Jewels/' 
 
 When these stories were completed, 
 everything seemed to conspire to pre- 
 vent the devoting of a quiet hour to 
 O. Henry and his stories. Whenever 
 constructive work is done, by which 
 the Truth may be brought to many, 
 the forces of destruction are arrayed 
 in opposition. This we felt to the full. 
 Twice stories were started and 
 stopped after only a few paragraphs 
 had been written. In one it was evi- 
 dent that O. Henry had been pushed 
 aside and a complete sentence injected 
 by some "Power of Darkness." We 
 at once realized the situation and put 
 the "Board" away. 
 
 When next O. Henry came, he 
 said: 
 
28 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 "The time has been long. Why 
 keep the Muse silent? I am simply 
 overburdened with plots." 
 
 When asked the cause of the breaks 
 in the last story he said: 
 
 "I find there are still a number of 
 people who believe they know better 
 how to write my stories than I do. 
 
 This last time it was 'Fiends/ It is 
 important you keep the door closed 
 by demanding you receive only the 
 truth — for that prevents their taking 
 definite hold." 
 
 About this time there appeared in 
 the papers notices of moving pictures 
 made from the O. Henry stories. We 
 asked him what he thought of them, 
 and his answer, concise as usual, 
 was: 
 
 ''Foolish rehash of yesterday's 
 ignorance." 
 
 In commenting on how few be- 
 lieved and how difficult it would be to 
 find a publisher, O. Henry answered: 
 
COMMENTS 29 
 
 "My belief is you will have to do 
 it yourself ultimately, if you cannot 
 find some one zvho is independent. 
 The trouble is that in a concern, one 
 may believe, while the rest of the 
 company do not yet see." 
 
 The conditions of everyday life be- 
 came worse. We were able to snatch 
 only a few minutes with O. Henry 
 and asked him if he felt the confu- 
 sion. 
 
 "It is a regular whirlpool, he said ; 
 the boat rocks. Until you can have 
 quiet I think it would be wiser to 
 postpone trying to write. My wish 
 is added to yours, for if all disturb- 
 ance is eliminated we can then accom- 
 plish a great deal without effort." 
 
 On New Year's eve we received 
 greetings from those with whom we 
 had been closely associated in work, 
 and last of all came O. Henry. He 
 said: 
 
 "I do not belong, but I may come 
 to the party, may I not? 
 
30 MV TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 '7 am content to wait until it will 
 be only a pleasure to hold converse 
 and when we can relax to a real con- 
 fab. 
 
 ''They are good stories, if I do say 
 it — but they cannot believe in a leop- 
 ard changing his spots. Out upon 
 that spot! 
 
 ''An amazing thing that the stolid 
 English are more awake spiritually 
 than Americans, ivho have not yet 
 been touched vitally. Some day 
 they will awake and arise — and I 
 hope then I can take part in the pro- 
 cession. 
 
 "My greetings and all aid possible 
 for the year to come.'' 
 
 Several weeks later he said: 
 
 "This is the first opportunity I 
 have had to hold 'mind' with you. 
 
 "Interesting expression that, ivhen 
 one realises how true it is that mind 
 is the only real point of contact, al- 
 though when on your plane we speak 
 
COMMENTS 31 
 
 only of the physical nearness of 
 others. 
 
 "Is it true that the hour is to be 
 re-estahlishedf If that is the case, 
 we oiigJit to turn out something zvorth 
 while/' 
 
 On being told that the poem, 
 "Sleeping," which he had given us, 
 was to be read to the Poetry Society, 
 it seemed to appeal to his sense of 
 humor, for he said: 
 
 ^7/ / was not to all appearances 
 dead, that would be my death. I shall 
 have a fearful attack of stage-fright. 
 I do hope they zvon't call 'Author!' 
 
 '7 like this house. It is so restful 
 and harmonious. It is a smiling island 
 of loveliness in a black sea of pitch. 
 I shall stretch here at ease tonight 
 and rest and live happily.'' 
 
 A. Houghton Pratt. 
 
O. Henry's Ghost Answers the Ques- 
 tions of a Newspaper Man Re- 
 garding ''Over There'* 
 
 O he desires to know how 
 
 we folks Hve? 
 Queer ! the idea humanity 
 
 hugs to its breast of how 
 different life must of necessity be 
 over here. 
 
 Tell him that at present it is New 
 York at its worst, on a day of cele- 
 bration, — with streets crowded, peo- 
 ple pushing in all directions, friends 
 meeting, exchanging greetings and 
 passing on. To us life is the same, 
 with the exception that now time is 
 no longer a factor. 
 ' Our emotions are the same — until 
 we learn the wisdom of eliminating 
 all unworthy ones. 
 
34 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Our desires the same — only now 
 they are satisfied almost immediately. 
 We desire to eat and we have food. 
 All is the same, only of finer material, 
 not so dense. 
 
 It is as if we were in airships above 
 you — seeing all, comprehending all, 
 and yet unable to make you hear. 
 To the few are given ears attuned 
 to hear and eyes which behold, but 
 humanity as a whole is blind. 
 
 If you could by any method make 
 the world realize that to us here each 
 and every THOUGHT affects us 
 more poignantly than all the sen- 
 tences uttered and that we are up- 
 lifted and made joyous by each 
 thought of love sent out, no matter 
 to whom, all hate would vanish from 
 the earth. 
 
 Clothing? Just the same as ever, 
 only we are glad to discard the old 
 garments for new ones more beauti- 
 ful, after we have been here for a 
 
OVER THERE 35 
 
 while, and when that desire comes, 
 the material is at hand with which 
 to create new garments. Verily, over 
 here thoughts become things quickly. 
 
 There are those here who do not 
 aspire for newer or better things, and 
 so they remain in their same condi- 
 tion. 
 
 Aspiration is the force here which 
 pushes you on to better and greater 
 achievements 
 
 Houses ? Certainly we have them ; 
 each one to his liking, for he builds 
 it as he desires, with the aid of others ; 
 all lend helping hands over here, 
 and life becomes a proper mixture 
 of work, play and study. 
 
 Yes, there are places where hate, 
 envy and all the evils still hold sway, 
 and if those are the things which 
 you enjoy, you dwell in that locality. 
 
 Whatever you in your soul desire 
 you receive. Ask and it is given you ; 
 seek higher and you find; and it is 
 
36 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 truly to be said : "As a man thinketh 
 so he receives and is/' 
 
 Naturally, people of the world are 
 going to say "O. H. cannot write 
 from above — if what he says is true, 
 he would be below." Having spent 
 several years in Hell — on earth — 
 after I arrived in this country I was 
 mighty glad to change my environ- 
 ment when I discovered where I had 
 been dwelling, — ^and that there was 
 no need of remaining, unless I 
 wished, — so I gave notice to the 
 landlord I was moving at once. 
 
 The earth is a pretty poor place 
 when you make a hell out of it, and 
 it might be a heaven if we would only 
 have faith, love and aspire. 
 
 The world is on a precipice and 
 New York is tottering on the edge I 
 Will you wake up and save yourselves 
 or will you once more be swept away 
 by the flood? 
 
jforetoorb 
 
 "I wish to tell the world what is 
 theirs for the asking. 
 
 To try and give them a new view- 
 point— in place of their erroneous 
 
 ideas. 
 
 Before, I wrote what the Self saw 
 Quly — now it is what / know," 
 
 37 
 
in? (IvaUt tuitf) tfie Bebtl 
 
i¥lp tlTu^sile tDtti) tte Bebtl 
 
 T was the hour when souls 
 simply cling to their bodies 
 by the merest thread — 
 when I met His Satanic 
 Majesty. 
 
 He is well named, for he is majestic 
 in every sense of the word — majestic 
 of mien — majestic of gesture, of ex- 
 pression, and a god to look upon. 
 
 He is a deceptive person, for one 
 meeting him casually would think he 
 was one of the great and good men 
 of the day — abroad on errands of 
 mercy and with kindness in his heart 
 for all humanity. So carefully does 
 he conceal his identity that he resem- 
 bles most of mankind — who are one 
 person to themselves and quite an- 
 other to the world of men. 
 
 We met. He knew me, but I had 
 not yet had the pleasure of knowing 
 
 41 
 
42 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 this majestic lord — or thought I had 
 not — ^and so was flattered when he 
 accosted me and made me welcome. 
 
 "I was told you were coming, and 
 so came to meet you," he said, with a 
 smile of geniality. "We hoped to 
 have greeted you earlier." 
 
 "Just a minute," I said. "Who are 
 you? Who told you I was coming?" 
 
 Making a sweeping gesture, and 
 ignoring my questions, he continued : 
 
 "Our land is fair — as you see — but 
 there are many wonders which I de- 
 sire to show you. Wonders which 
 are unheard of — not even dreamt of 
 — and which will make you desire to 
 remain among us, I feel confident." 
 
 With this, my arm was taken in 
 friendly fashion, and we proceeded 
 up an avenue lined with trees perfect 
 in form and foliage — passed hand- 
 some houses, with playing fountains, 
 flowers, and birds in abundance. 
 
 With a magnificent gesture he 
 
MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 43 
 
 swept all this out of the way. "The 
 homes of our servants. We enter 
 now the domains of those who rule 
 and where we hope you will abide." 
 
 The turn of the street brought us 
 to an estate situated on the crest of 
 a magnificent mountain. Winding 
 roads of dazzling whiteness and 
 smoothness led through a garden of 
 flowers and wonderful trees. Run- 
 ning streams made music, and the 
 song of birds — with brilliant plum- 
 age. 
 
 With no word spoken — but many 
 implied by gesture and nod — we 
 reached at last the mansion. Trans- 
 parent — the walls seemed — heavy the 
 air, with perfume. It was a palace 
 of dreams — resting in the hollow of 
 my hand. 
 
 With a smile of winning sweet- 
 ness he said : 
 
 "This is yours. Will you rest?" 
 
 "Mine! For w^hat?" I exclaimed. 
 
44 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 "Do you give palaces like this to all 
 your visitors?" 
 
 "Not to all," he answered; "only to 
 our favored ones." 
 
 "Why am I so favored, then? 
 What have I done to bring me this?" 
 
 "Nothing," he answered, ''as yet, 
 but we have hopes of great things 
 from you. We expect you will be 
 of great benefit to us; will aid us in 
 promoting our cause." 
 
 "And how?" I queried. 
 
 "Come, let us sit and sup and we 
 will talk it over." 
 
 Leading me gently forward, we en- 
 tered a banqueting hall, where costly 
 viands and sparkling wines reposed 
 among flowers; and gold and silver, 
 and ruby and diamond, sapphire and 
 emerald decked each goblet — while 
 behind our places were fair women, 
 who smiled and breathed perfume 
 upon the air. 
 
 Too dazed to remonstrate, I took 
 
MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 45 
 
 my place, and, unconscious of what 
 I did, sipped my wine from its jew- 
 eled goblet. 
 
 Lifting his wine, he said : "To our 
 better acquaintance — our Brother- 
 hood, I hope." 
 
 "To our better acquaintance, cer- 
 tainly — but what do you mean by 
 Brotherhood?" 
 
 "That I will explain. In this 
 mountain fastness there is a secret 
 abode, which only the elect can en- 
 ter, and where the members set in 
 motion great events and accomplish 
 great deeds. We have need of one 
 like you to assist us." 
 
 "What do you feel I can do?" T 
 asked. "My talents are slight. I do 
 not comprehend my selection." 
 
 "Ah ! That is not to be wondered 
 at — for you have not correctly 
 gauged your talents and ability. 
 
 "Do you realize that you have the 
 greatest talent ever known — in one 
 direction?" 
 
46 MY TUSSLE WITH TIL DEVIL 
 
 "What!" I gasped. 
 
 "Quite true! I will tell you. 
 
 "In the beginning you were pre- 
 sented, by lesser gods, with a talent 
 for love of everything, with love for 
 the pure, for the true, for the beau- 
 tiful. You aspired to be one of the 
 unknown workers for humanity — to 
 create beauty, in poem and song; to 
 weave for them music which would 
 make life an ecstacy. 
 
 To scatter happiness was your 
 ambition. Jealousy was unknown to 
 you, and envy a w^ord you never even 
 thought of. 
 
 Kindness was your pass-word in 
 the realm from which you came — ^but 
 we, who were observing you, recog- 
 nized a power much greater than you 
 knew — a power to work results magi- 
 cal in their effect — and so we came 
 near you and sought to make your 
 better acquaintance. 
 
 You were a shy bird, difficult to 
 
MV TUSSLE WITH THE DEVH. 47 
 
 catch, however, and it took us many 
 eons of time before we finally won 
 your confidence." 
 
 **What was this great ability?" I 
 interrupted. 
 
 "You wish to know ? That is well, 
 for I see we shall be able to work 
 more harmoniously if your interest is 
 aroused," he replied. "I will tell you. 
 It was — but why should I say *it was,' 
 rather, it is still, the great gift you 
 possess, and which we desire to have 
 you give to us in all its fullness. Let 
 us review a bit what use you made 
 of it. 
 
 First, you were disappointed in 
 the love of the woman whom you de- 
 sired, and so began its development — 
 until love for man or woman had no 
 place in your heart. 
 
 Then commenced your clear vision, 
 which showed you the evil which 
 was in all minds and hearts, and 
 you recognized no one could be 
 
48 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 trusted. Ultimately, you nearly per- 
 fected that branch of your gift, and 
 so had an honored seat at our coun- 
 cil table — and we desire you again to 
 take your place at its head.'* 
 
 "But why?" I interrupted, ''did I 
 lose that exalted seat?" 
 
 "Alas!" he answered, "you went 
 back to your old habits. An animal 
 was the cause of your downfall — a 
 mongrel cur!" 
 
 "You interest me," I said. "Ex- 
 plain how that occurred." 
 
 "You were in a forsaken village — 
 having lost your way and wandered 
 there — and without food. Little by 
 little your strength left you, and you 
 lay down under a tree, with all hope 
 abandoned. A rustle in the dead 
 grass aroused you, and presently a 
 tiny, mangy dog crept up and licked 
 your hand. 
 
 The relief from the loneliness was 
 so great that you foolishly took the 
 cur in your arms." 
 
MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 49 
 
 "Foolishly!" I exclaimed. 
 
 "Yes, foolishly; for that was the 
 beginning of your loss of power. 
 True, the animal led you out to safety 
 and warmth, eventually. But what a 
 seed was sown! 
 
 Where before the harvest was 
 well-nigh perfect, it now had the 
 
 weeds of Pity and Gratitude So 
 
 do the mighty fall! 
 
 That was a fatal sowing and reap- 
 ing for you, for it even affected your 
 view of men. You commenced to see 
 in them bits of character before un- 
 seen. Such useless things as Con- 
 sideration, Love and Pity! 
 
 Your habits, too, were affected by 
 this poisonous weed. Where before 
 you had been perfect in all ways vile, 
 you now commenced to give up some 
 of the most brilliant jewels — betrayal 
 of women — the excitement and joy of 
 perfect and exhilarating wines. Why! 
 you even went so low as to prefer 
 
50 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Sparkling waters from Nature's 
 sources." 
 
 Holding my jeweled goblet high, I 
 laughed and said: "To what depths 
 can man sink!*' 
 
 "Ah! I rejoice to see you agree 
 with me. It is well' We shall suc- 
 ceed together admirably, I feel sure," 
 he made answer. 
 
 Then, drawing closer to me, "Now 
 to our desires and agreement." 
 
 "By all means," I replied. "I am 
 eager to hear your plan. For, cer- 
 tainly, if this domain is part of the 
 reward, it interests me." 
 
 "Good! That is better," he re- 
 plied. 
 
 "When you first left our abode and 
 joined with others, who had contrary 
 beliefs, we felt it was final — but as 
 we watched and studied your soul — 
 for you know, of course, souls are 
 clearly visible to us — and saw there 
 was within it, still, the desire to con- 
 
MY TUSSLE WIT}{ THE DEVIL 51 
 
 tinue as one of us, I was given the 
 task of keeping alive that seed, and 
 adding to its force, so that in time a 
 bountiful harvest might repay us. 
 
 We feel that time has arrived. 
 
 As I told you, this palace, with all 
 it contains, its vault of priceless gems 
 — such as are on your goblet, these 
 fair women, and hundreds like them, 
 are yours. Any honor you feel you 
 desire shall be granted, and you shall 
 be the lord of whatsoever you desire 
 to possess." 
 
 At this I glanced around the hall. 
 Looked at the smiling faces — slender, 
 voluptuous forms — at the sparkling 
 gems — at the vista which was spread 
 before me through the open windows 
 — and then I mused upon what I could 
 possess in addition — all honors what- 
 soever I desired. Coming back, 
 finally, to a study of His Majesty's 
 face, I found his eyes fixed upon me. 
 "Will you accept?" he asked. 
 
52 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 "That is a little mystery, too, of 
 yours, is it not? You ask if I will 
 accept all that counts in the world, 
 but you have not yet told me what I 
 am to do for it all. Tell me that side 
 of the mystery/' I replied. 
 
 "Only a simple thing! 
 
 Renew your association with us 
 and take the leadership of the band 
 which is ready to go forth and sow 
 broadcast the seeds which are so 
 much craved by the world. The 
 seeds of Hate, of Malice, of Licen- 
 tiousness, of Cruelty. 
 
 Helps us to rid the world of gay- 
 ety which is simple and wholesome. 
 Help us to give them a greater ex- 
 citement. Let us arouse the idea of 
 hunting within their breasts — but 
 children for game — not birds, which 
 are only beautiful and give song, 
 that would be tame sport! 
 
 Take the lead and aid us to sow 
 Revenge broadcast." 
 
MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 53 
 
 **Is that all?" I queried. 
 
 "All for the present," he answered. 
 "Later, new things can be brought to 
 successful issue, if you desire. But 
 that will satisfy our Brotherhood for 
 the present." 
 
 "Let us drink to our unity," he 
 said, raising high his glass and look 
 ing with flashing eyes into mine. 
 I rose to my feet, goblet high. 
 
 "To our Brotherhood !" I shouted ; 
 "May it be annihilated forever!" 
 
site Content 
 
Ill ■' 
 
 Wtt Contest 
 
 Yucatan — Time : Midnight 
 
 FE met Death in the room 
 of Joe, who lay on a bed 
 in the corner, with a pain- 
 racked body. 
 Suspense as to the visitant made 
 him almost unconscious, yet thor- 
 oughly cognizant. It was as if some 
 part of his brain stopped, while the 
 rest leaped away from the body — 
 then, with a whirl which made him 
 reel, leaped back again. 
 
 Gazing at him from a chair which 
 stood in front of the fire was a softly 
 clad woman. In her hands was 
 myrtle and thyme, which made mys- 
 terious shadows upon the wall. 
 
 His humble room seemed decorated 
 by a master hand. Each individual 
 article took on a luster hitherto un- 
 known. 
 
 57 
 
58 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 With a movement, however, his 
 eyes were brought back to the door, 
 through which a figure slowly en- 
 tered. It was radiant with a light 
 which dazzled. Entering slowly, it 
 stopped at the foot of his bed and 
 said, in a voice sweeter than any mu- 
 sic ever heard. 
 
 "I am Death ! Will you come with 
 me to a Summerland where there is 
 only joy, and pain is unknown?" 
 
 "Death!" he gasped. "You, Death! 
 But you do not look as I thought 
 Death did! You are beautiful!" 
 
 "Yes," replied the figure, "I am the 
 most beautiful of all, except one, but 
 my gifts are more beautiful than all. 
 
 I bring surcease from trials, free- 
 dom from pain, shelter from all 
 storms and peace. 
 
 I, — who am so much feared by 
 mankind, — have only joy and happi- 
 ness. 
 
 Make ready and come with me! 
 
THE CONTEST 59 
 
 I promise you all you have ever 
 longed for — sunshine, flowers and 
 beauty." 
 
 Keeping his eyes riveted on the fig- 
 ure, Joe sat erect and said: 
 
 "How am I to know you are not 
 fooling me? You don't look like 
 Death. I don't believe you!" 
 
 The figure smiled. 
 
 "That is not unusual," it replied, 
 "for men have a false idea of me. 
 They think I am old and hideous and 
 take from them all they hold dear. 
 
 They do not know I give them all 
 they have earned and bring them the 
 solace of retrieving all past errors. 
 
 I give them the opportunity of 
 seeing how and why they failed. 
 
 I watch their silly strivings for 
 wealth, their many useless mansions, 
 their hates and loves — which are only 
 envy in fancy dress — knowing the 
 time will come when they will be 
 obliged to open the door to me. 
 
60 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Some welcome me, for they have 
 built their mansion and know it only 
 awaits their coming; that joy and 
 happiness are theirs — love, free from 
 all malice, and beauty in every form. 
 
 They welcome me, because they 
 have built their home on rock and it 
 stands with door open to receive 
 them, and they are not afraid, but 
 rejoice. 
 
 "Others, however, fear me and re- 
 fuse to look at me, saying, *You are 
 ugly! Go away!' And they shut 
 their ears and refuse to be com- 
 forted. 
 
 They are afraid, for they have no 
 mansion to which to go, but are home- 
 less and feel that they are outcasts. 
 Why? Not because of me, but be- 
 cause they have forgotten to prepare 
 their mansion and so are homeless 
 and beggars. They cling to worn-out 
 trumpery, keeping much more from 
 them than they possess. 
 
THE CONTEST 6t 
 
 Give up this mansion of yours and 
 come and follow me to new fields 
 which are filled to oversowing." 
 
 Joe still stared, too much overcome 
 to reply, when from the chair by the 
 fire a figure arose. 
 
 It was clad in soft clinging gar- 
 ments, with a veil which hid the face, 
 and the voice was deep and harsh, 
 with an undertone of sadness. 
 
 "Wait! Not yet can he give you 
 his answer. He must choose between 
 us." 
 
 At this Joe turned his eyes toward 
 the new speaker, and seemed to find 
 once again the ability to speak. 
 
 "Who are you?" he asked. 
 
 "Life!" the figure replied. "Life! 
 With all its dreams, its passions, its 
 joys. Life! which has given you all 
 your pain and misery. Life! which 
 has snatched from you all your youth, 
 your joy, and given you only disillu- 
 sionment ! 
 
62 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Life! which promised you happi- 
 ness, health, wealth, fame! 
 
 Life! which dances and sings and 
 has no need for tomorrow. Will you 
 stay with me? See! I hold out to 
 you healing herbs that will bring for- 
 getfulness and give you power to go 
 on and achieve what you desire. 
 
 See ! I offer you fame ! 
 
 You shall be able to sit above 
 others, — to cast them forth, to spit 
 upon them. You shall be lord of the 
 cities. Fairest women shall smile and 
 caress you; men shall sue you for rec- 
 ognition. Will you stay?" 
 
 Joe made a motion of assent. 
 
 There w^as a moment's stillness, 
 then, with a laugh which froze his 
 blood. Life said: 
 
 '^Again I win, and your beauty and 
 your gifts are spurned. Death! 
 Again I win." 
 
 Death smiled and said : "I am con- 
 tent. Show him your face!" 
 
THE CONTEST 63 
 
 At this command the figure began 
 to unwind from the head the drapery 
 which had enveloped it, and Joe, with 
 staring eyes, looked into a hollow 
 shell, a skeleton! 
 
Sleeping 
 
Sleeping 
 
 Gangs 
 
 In suits of gray 
 
 Worked upon the highway 
 
 In a Southern State. 
 
 Stones 
 
 Were their companions, 
 
 Coarse food 
 
 Their nourishment. 
 
 Cruelty 
 
 Met often with Greed 
 
 A^nd Fear 
 
 Lived with Hatred, 
 
 When Love 
 
 Sought entrance 
 
 On a night 
 
 In June, 
 
 Trying 
 
 All the entrances 
 
 Unavailingly, 
 
 And tiring at last. 
 
68 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Kindness came 
 
 And whispering 
 
 In Love's ear 
 
 Said: 
 
 ''Down the road 
 
 You will find open several houses. 
 
 Better go! 
 
 I will watch here." 
 
 Love 
 
 Gave thanks, 
 
 And with bounding steps 
 
 Went gayly to the Highway. 
 
 The sun 
 
 Was hot 
 
 And the stones were sharp, 
 
 But the time for rest was near. 
 
 And a little ripple 
 
 Was running along the highway, — 
 
 A tiny little wave 
 
 Of Joy. 
 
 Love 
 
 Seeing this, 
 
SLEEPING 69 
 
 Danced with glee 
 And began to sing: 
 "Come with me 
 Where the flowers bloom 
 And birds make music 
 All the noon. 
 
 Sunshine 
 
 Dances, 
 
 Girls give glances 
 
 To the moon. 
 
 Friends 
 Take chances, 
 Gay their fancies, 
 Come with me." 
 
 Startled 
 
 Glances went down the line, 
 
 And Love swept on 
 
 To the end, 
 
 Seeking 
 
 Entrance in each heart 
 
 And sending thrills 
 
70 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 With delight, 
 
 Until 
 
 To each one 
 
 Passed the word 
 
 "Love is here!" 
 
 Backs 
 
 Grew straighter, 
 Faces brighter, 
 Down the line. 
 
 God 
 
 Crept nearer 
 
 Saying : 
 
 "Come with me! 
 
 Take 
 
 No chances 
 
 With the sleepers — 
 
 Come with me!" 
 
 And down 
 The highway 
 Swept the summons, 
 "Come with me!" 
 
SLEEPING 71 
 
 Gray garments 
 
 Changed 
 
 To gold, 
 
 And only 
 
 Hatred 
 
 And Fear 
 
 Were left uncalled 
 
 From their sleep. 
 
fearnmg 
 
learning 
 
 |HE lamps on the street 
 throw fitful shadows upon 
 the pavements, which glis- 
 ten with many raindrops. 
 
 Walking slowly, with bent shoul- 
 ders and bowed head, is a man with 
 slightly graying hair. Round and 
 round the square he walks, glancing 
 neither to the right nor left, until 
 finally, wearying, he crosses the 
 street and enters a house where the 
 curtains are closely drawn. 
 
 Bits of smilax, rose leaves and 
 trodden violets can be seen about the 
 steps, and as he opens the door, the 
 air is charged with escaping perfume. 
 
 With a hasty glance at the heavy 
 draperies which conceal the opening 
 to the room, he mounts hurriedly the 
 stairs, and with trembling hands 
 turns the knob of a door. 
 
 75 
 
76 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Gently he pushes it wide, and the 
 soft gleam of the lamp plays upon 
 the silken draperies of a woman's 
 room. 
 
 No sound breaks the stillness as the 
 man closes the door and with a heart- 
 broken cry throws himself upon his 
 knees by the bedside. 
 
 His frame shakes from head to 
 foot as his arms are thrown across 
 the bed which had so recently held all 
 his world. 
 
 At last, worn out by the battle, his 
 body relaxes, and released from its 
 leash, the spirit meets the occupant 
 of the room 
 
 Clasped in his arms, with gentle, 
 loving fingers she strokes his face and 
 says : 
 
 "I am still here with you — always, 
 as you are now with me." 
 
 His clasp tightens as he sobs : 
 
 "I thought that you were dead — 
 that you had left me." 
 
YEARNING 77 
 
 "Loving you, how could I leave 
 you?" she answered. "And there is 
 no such thing as death i One only 
 changes ! 
 
 I am just as you are now; and as 
 we have been each night we have 
 gone out together. The only change 
 is that during a few hours you go 
 back to the world of business, while 
 I wait for you in the land of art 
 
 Dry your eyes, beloved, for when 
 you weep, you keep me from creating 
 the beautiful things we have longed 
 for. All the material is here at my 
 hand, but I must be free to work. 
 
 The clocks of the city are strik- 
 ing the hour for you to begin your 
 work and for me also. Go now ! And 
 tonight we will tell each other of what 
 we have accomplished.'* 
 
 The striking of the hour breaks the 
 stillness of the room, and the man by 
 the bedside stirs and then gazes with 
 unseeing eyes at the empty bed and 
 
7^ MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 the room with its softly glowing 
 lamp. 
 
 A well-remembered perfume floats 
 upon the air and his hair is brushed 
 as by a fairy wind. 
 
 With arms outstretched, he rises 
 to his feet. 
 
 "Tell me it is true! That, if it was 
 a dream, that dreams are the truth 
 of life! Give me some sign that I 
 may know, my darling. I must know ! 
 I must! Give me some little signl" 
 
 As he gazes at the curtain which 
 conceals the doorway, there is a faint 
 rustle of silken drapery, and a shadow 
 seems upon it for just a moment. 
 
 The lamp burns low, the man sits 
 motionless. 
 
 "Was it true? Was it a sign, or 
 was it only a movement by the 
 wind?" 
 
 II. 
 
 Seated on the sidewalk, crying bit- 
 terly, is a small boy, holding in his 
 arms a dog. 
 
YEARNING 79 
 
 The grief of the child attracts a 
 passer-by, who questions: 
 
 "What is the trouble, little man?" 
 
 Between sobs, the child explains 
 that he missed his pet and found it in 
 the road. 
 
 "He didn't come when I called. He 
 always minds. And now he doesn't 
 tell me anything! Why doesn't he?" 
 
 "Let me see, little man," says the 
 stranger, and stoops to take the dog, 
 which the boy clasps more tightly. 
 
 Putting his hand on the child's 
 head: "Poor little man! I am soiry, 
 but your little friend will never do 
 any of those things again, for he is 
 dead." 
 
 With a cry of joy the child jumps 
 up, and says : 
 
 "Is that it? Well, that's all right; 
 for now he will always stay where I 
 am. 
 
 ' With a quick gesture the man put 
 out his hand and caught the child. 
 
80 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 "What do you mean by that ? Why 
 are you happy, now, when I tell you 
 he is dead?" 
 
 Gazing upward at the man*s face, 
 the child answers: 
 
 "Why! Mother told me so. She 
 says there is no death — there only is 
 another life — and when we love any 
 one very much they never leave us. 
 
 She says that when its daylight 
 we cannot see them because they are 
 so beautiful, but that at night we can, 
 when we go to sleep — and that's our 
 real life — when we think we are only 
 sleeping." 
 
 The man clutched at the child al- 
 most wildly. 
 
 "You beheve that, little man?" 
 
 "Of course! It's true! Now, I 
 must take Fido to mother, for she 
 knows what to do to make him beau- 
 tiful — and then tonight we'll play 
 hide-and-seek, as we were going to^ 
 this morning." 
 
YEARNING 81 
 
 With a happy and joyous "good- 
 bye" ringing in his ears, the man 
 gazed at the little figure flying down 
 the street. 
 
 "I wonder! Yes! It was a sign, 
 for is it not said — *A little child shall 
 lead them!'" 
 
Animals; 
 
My wish is to widen the horizon. 
 It is important for humanity to know. 
 It must recognize the oneness of 
 everything. 
 
 We will write of more than man. 
 
 I will give a series : First — Beasts : 
 then, Flowers and Jewels. 
 
 &s 
 
I.— THE KING 
 
 ACING forward — back- 
 ward — backward — for- 
 ward, to and fro — a King. 
 With world weary eyes 
 he gazes out of his window in search 
 of his souFs desire. 
 
 Before him a seething mass of 
 heads, with eyes riveted upon him. 
 Immovable, he stands and contem- 
 plates them. 
 
 Of what do they think? 
 Have they souls which long and 
 cry out, day and night, for liberty? 
 
 Or are they satisfied with the nar- 
 row ring in which they move? 
 
 Do they know the joy of freedom: 
 of vast expanses? 
 
 A surge of hatred passes through 
 him and he has a longing to slay that 
 
 87 
 
88 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 sodden mass. Then it passes, and 
 with a weary movement once more 
 he paces to and fro. 
 
 Of what does he think? 
 
 Does he know that once again has 
 been enacted an old drama and a 
 King sold into captivity, or does he 
 feel that it should be said : 
 
 "Forgive them, for they know not 
 what they do.'* 
 
 11. THE TOILER 
 
 Up — down — down — up — from 
 early morn. 
 
 Up — down — with slow and steady 
 strides, until the rich brown earth 
 holds up eager hands to receive its 
 gifts. 
 
 Up — down — down — up — wearih- 
 plods the Toiler until the sun is high, 
 when, with a long-drawn sigh, the 
 time of rest is welcomed. 
 
 A bit of shade, a refreshing drink, 
 
WEARINESS 89 
 
 and a little rest before the weary 
 round begins again. 
 
 Up — down — down — up — day in 
 and out. 
 
 " ^Monotonous/ you say? Yes! if 
 only the thought of the weary rounds 
 IS held. Compensation comes from a 
 pat on the neck, which tells of appre- 
 ciation and affection and the knowl- 
 edge of being a necessary part of the 
 whole. The harvest / sow is reaped 
 and lessens in other lands the harvest 
 of the Reaper. 
 
 "Up — down — down — up, with a 
 stronger pull, for I am doing my bit, 
 and 
 
 " To him who is faithful in small 
 things much shall be given.' " 
 
I. 
 
 EAR the door sits an im- 
 pressive looking man. 
 
 ''It is growing dark, 
 mademoiselle; just turn up 
 the light/' 
 
 The interior is flooded with light at 
 this command. 
 
 In a far corner lies a spaniel, gaz- 
 ing with pain-stricken eyes at the 
 man. He is too worn in spirit to do 
 more than give a feeble move, now 
 and then, to first one ear and then an- 
 other. But worn and spent as he is, 
 his eyes are alert for movement on 
 the part of the man, and as the man 
 rises from his chair, the dog utters 
 a faint cry of fear and begins to 
 shake; but his trembling gradually 
 ceases as the man goes in the opposite 
 direction, and he closes his eyes in 
 complete weariness. 
 
 91 
 
92 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Each moment has seemed hours to 
 him, for fear has dragged at his soul. 
 
 What new torture awaited him 
 when that huge form moved — to 
 what unknown horror was he to be 
 compelled to submit? 
 
 Helpless — chained — and too weak 
 to fight, he was at the mercy of 
 THAT, which sat in front of him. 
 
 It looked like his beloved master in 
 form, but the voice was different and 
 the touch 
 
 At the thought of the hand which 
 had caressed him only two days, or 
 was it two years ago, he gave a little 
 whimper, which was quickly stifled 
 as he recalled that the slightest move 
 on his part brought that which gave 
 him only misery — pulling, testing, 
 delicate nerves pressed, and pain in- 
 describable. 
 
 Silence reigns, and at last, worn 
 out, he closes his eyes and sleeps. 
 
 Once more he is in a room where 
 
THE SLAVE 93 
 
 Sparkles a glowing fire, and, with 
 ears alert, listens for a well-known 
 step. Joy permeates him as it comes 
 nearer and nearer, and'then the door 
 opens. 
 
 With a waving of banner and joy- 
 ous greeting he leaps to meet a caress 
 and welcome: 
 
 "Well, old boy! Glad to see me? 
 Bring me my slippers. There's a 
 good fellow." 
 
 The joy of taking some part of that 
 dear one close to him and carrying 
 it where he knew it belonged! The 
 excitement of returning and hearing 
 "Right you are, old boy! now the 
 other,'' and then the delicious sense 
 of work well done and the praise 
 earned, and the happiness and joy 
 of the hand on his head, while both 
 relaxed to the warmth of the fire. 
 
 A sudden pang of pain rouses him, 
 and the remembrance is shattered 
 and dismay takes its place. 
 
94 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 What has happened? All he can 
 recall is standing on the doorstep, 
 waiting for that promised walk, and 
 suddenly a jerk, and he is flying- 
 through the air and is thrust into a 
 black and yelling mass of his 
 brothers. 
 
 Then a brilliantly lighted place and 
 a gruff voice, which says: 
 
 "That's the one. He's a thorough- 
 bred. Bring him." 
 
 Running, darting this way, that 
 way, snapping at his brothers who 
 bar his escape, he dashes here, there, 
 everywhere, looking in vain for an 
 outlet, only to be cornered at last, 
 with the same kind of a jerk which 
 had torn him away from his door- 
 step. 
 
 "Put up a fight, didn't he? The 
 experiment will be all the more inter- 
 esting now, for the nerves are ex- 
 cited." 
 
 Then, straps and buckles which 
 
THE SLAVE 95 
 
 held him down, and cruel wires which 
 prevented his breathing, and then 
 THAT which was at the back of the 
 room, standing over him with shin- 
 ing things, and then such pain as 
 made him forget all things as he sank 
 down — and down — and down ! 
 
 With a start; he realizes there has 
 been a movement in the room, and a 
 shadow looms toward him. In vain 
 to shrink — to avoid that hand which 
 will soon be upon him, for he is 
 chained and unable to move. 
 
 What new terror awaits him? 
 
 His heart beats to suffocatioxi and 
 his eyes seek dumbly for aid. 
 
 Nearer and nearer comes the 
 shadow, and. he abandons all hope, 
 and with a cry of despair his body 
 relaxes, as a figure looms over him. 
 
 Again the fi relit room and a loved 
 voice : 
 
 "Come, boy! Let's to bed and 
 sleep." 
 
96 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 With a mighty struggle he forces 
 the spirit to rise, and once more opens 
 his eyes, to find the fire Hght vanished 
 and the loved voice silent — only a 
 looming doom with shining things 
 over him, and a voice, angry with 
 thwarted ambition. 
 
 "Too late! He's dead." 
 
 But a spark of the spirit still lin- 
 gers in the body, and the faithful eyes 
 see a fi relit room and a beloved form, 
 and with a farewell wave of his ban- 
 ner, obeys the command: 
 
 "Let's sleep!" 
 
THE SLAVE V7 
 
 FREEDOM 
 II. 
 
 Worn and weary, a man enters a 
 room where a fire burns upon the 
 hearth. 
 
 Throwing himself into a chair, he 
 glances at the vacant rug at his feet, 
 and, with a sob in his voice, says: 
 
 "Old Boy ! No slippers for me to- 
 night by my old faithful." 
 
 No sound breaks the stillness, and 
 he gazes forelornly towards his room. 
 
 Then he sits erect — rigid, for 
 through the door comes a dearly 
 loved figure, head high and banner 
 waving in anticipation of "Well 
 done, good and faithful servant," and 
 love shining in his eyes, and in his 
 mouth — a slipper! 
 
 With suspended breath the man 
 watches, and even at the touch of 
 cold nose upon his hand, remains 
 rigid. Then, with a cry, he throws 
 
^ MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 out his arms to encircle his comrade — 
 only empty air greets him. 
 
 But at his feet lies — a slipper! 
 
 In stupefaction he looks at it, and 
 then around the room. 
 
 Nothing! 
 
 Nothing ? No ! surely something is 
 still in the familiar place — something 
 which is faithful always and remains 
 where love keeps the place! 
 
 A light of understanding breaks 
 over the man's face as he takes the 
 slipper. 
 
 "Oh! ye of little faith!" 
 
Slo\3$n^ 
 
I. 
 
 UST outside of a walled 
 city there is a field of 
 white — Httle, delicate, slim 
 emissaries of peace, waft- 
 ing their messages of healing broad- 
 cast. With a ringing of delicate mu- 
 sical bells, they say: 
 "Come with me! Here is joy and 
 peace/' 
 Within the walls a lonely watcher 
 in a tower looks and listens. 
 
 Hidden from view are the tools of 
 trade. 
 
 Gazing on the field, he muses on the 
 infallibiHty of the law, which with 
 undeviating regularity brings forth 
 the thousands of tiny Heralds. 
 Surely they are a symbol of some part 
 of that Great Whole— some plan is 
 back of their being! 
 
 101 
 
102 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 He looks over the walled city which 
 he guards, and nowhere is there any- 
 thing which is as wonderful as what 
 lies outside. 
 
 Ah! now he knows! 
 
 Outside is Freedom — with all its 
 loveliness and fragrance. 
 
 lit side is God's World with only 
 bells, orchestra of rustling leaves and 
 the waving baton of the trees. 
 
 Outside all is Peace — Harmony. 
 
 And what is within ? 
 
 Envy, Vice. Hatred, and stalking 
 ever at the head Fear — as Leader — 
 whose orchestra is made up of glitter- 
 ing instruments of torture, deafening 
 batteries, and with Triumph as the 
 theme. 
 
 With gold, jewels and honors he 
 lures to his band all within the walls, 
 murmuring: 
 
 "My lands shall include all things. 
 Nothing shall exist which is as perfect 
 as my Empire." 
 
MISSIONARIES 103 
 
 But- 
 
 Oiitside — are dainty, delicate, slim 
 bits of loveliness, which, with gentle 
 nods and soft waves of perfume 
 bring the message that, Outside, all 
 is as God intended, for 
 
 "Consider the lilies! They toil not, 
 neither do they spin, and yet I say 
 unto you that Solomon in all his glory 
 was not arrayed like one of these." 
 
ITHIN the darkest recesses 
 there is a vast multitude 
 seeking expression — ris- 
 ing with each muhitude a 
 little higher. 
 
 Rubies, who gather to themselves 
 the fading glory of the sun, secretly 
 desire the millions of rays which the 
 diamond has secured, — while Sap- 
 phires, holding the blue winged lights 
 of the moon, — seek in vain to acquire 
 the rustling of trees and grasses, the 
 running of water, — within their 
 form. 
 
 Insensate? 
 
 Round and round the spiral they 
 travel, — ever spurred, by the force 
 lying within each and every one, to 
 be more than they are and to express 
 All! 
 
 J|f ;(c * * * 
 
 107 
 
108 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 I recall my youth, in fancy, as so 
 many jewels tied to dark recesses 
 while aspiring; — The desire to voice 
 the Rubies of Multitudes, in Dislike 
 and Hatred — reveling in the Emer- 
 alds of wealth, and desire for honors 
 — while ever knocking at my door 
 was the Sapphire, laden with gifts 
 of Aspiration. 
 
 In vain the Diamond beckoned, — 
 in vain sought to convince me that 
 within that recess was all I desired — 
 that there was to be found, mingled 
 together All as One. 
 
 The Multitudes hurry past, uncon- 
 scious that in their path lies the Dia- 
 mond. Hurrying, scurrying, they 
 push and jostle in a vain endeavor to 
 amass Rubies, Emeralds and Sap- 
 phires, little realizing that in their 
 
MULTITUDES 109 
 
 own door yard lies the most priceless 
 jewel of all: 
 
 The Diamond of Love. 
 
 I was of the Multitude: — 
 
 Reason said: 
 
 "Seek Emeralds. What matter if 
 you borrow Rubies of Hatred to 
 gain ! Seek Emeralds !" 
 
 Mind said: 
 
 "What are Emeralds? It is Sap- 
 phires you desire. Sapphires — which 
 lead you by a radiant path to the sky 
 — to starry realms — to lands where 
 Inspiration dwells. 
 
 "Seek! 
 
 "Seek Sapphires!" 
 
 Spirit said : 
 
 "You are wrong. It is none of 
 these you desire. Seek the Diamond. 
 Search for it high and low. Do not 
 be beguiled by colors which lure. 
 Seek the purest of all. 
 
no MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 "Seek!" 
 
 "Search for Diamonds!" 
 
 Alas! the colors of the rainbow 
 caught me and I bathed in its rays. 
 
 Now I go seeking! Seeking every- 
 where — Diamonds — only Diamonds. 
 
S^tmtmbvantti 
 
ISitmtnAvamti 
 I. 
 
 The Sentinels: 
 
 Uniforms of green — hardy and 
 erect, they wait until mustered — keep- 
 ing watch throughout the seasons. 
 
 ^ ^ }^ H: H< 
 
 The Army: 
 
 In glittering array the army stands 
 for inspection. 
 
 Russet, gold and green are their 
 uniforms, with trimmings of scarlet. 
 
 Unmoved they will stand and re- 
 ceive all onslaughts — and if some fall 
 in the battle, those remaining will 
 still be firm of purpose — turning ever 
 a smile of welcome and holding out 
 arms to those who seek them. 
 
 Red and russet and gold 
 
 Green and bronze and scarlet 
 
 113 
 
114 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 How brave in all their glory — how 
 steadfast to their purpose — how 
 gratefully do they bend their heads 
 w^hen a wave of love goes to them! 
 
 Majestic — serene — content to fill 
 their allotted place — asking not the 
 perfume of lilies, nor scent of roses — 
 seeking not the sparkling splendor of 
 jewels — content with the Emerald, 
 Ruby and Topaz, which they hold 
 wuthin their own domain. 
 
 So muses the recruit, as with head 
 high and shoulders back he wanders 
 through the woods — saying farewell 
 to all the friends of his boyhood. 
 
 The Sentinels! 
 
 How they have guarded the old 
 home from the blasts ! 
 " How joyfully have the regiment 
 given of their life, in order that others 
 might revel in their force, and unit- 
 ing to protect all who sought their 
 shelter. This was w^hat he must keep 
 ever in mind — to follow his army 
 
REMEMBRANCES 115 
 
 friends and do with gladness what- 
 ever came his way — without thought 
 of honors — only with love for all — 
 atid cheerfully obey. 
 
 Taking a bit of the uniform of his 
 sentinel friends, and a bit of russet 
 and gold and scarlet, too, he softly 
 places them in his pocket and with a 
 salute goes out to join his company. 
 
iHunittonsi 
 
Mvinitioni 
 
 Hardzvare Store — Time: Midday 
 
 Gazing out of a window which 
 overlooked a training field for sol- 
 diers was a grizzled old man. Time 
 had left his impress with no gentle 
 mark, yet around the eyes was a lin- 
 gering spark of youth, and about the 
 mouth the lines told of a gentle and 
 loving spirit. 
 
 As his eyes roamed over the field 
 a small squad came into view, march- 
 ing in "twos** and wheeling into 
 "fours*' and "right about,'' as the 
 command was given. 
 
 The gaze of the man grew more 
 intense, and the lines about the mouth 
 deepened, while, slowly, a flush of 
 pride, which could not be controlled, 
 swept over the face, and uncon- 
 sciously his shoulders squared and his 
 
 119 
 
120 MV TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 back straightened as his son came into 
 view. 
 
 The straight boyish figure marched 
 and wheeled in perfect unison with 
 his comrades, but there was an in- 
 definable power in the set of his head 
 and poise of the body, which bespoke 
 determination and control beyond the 
 ordinary. 
 
 Suddenly the silence is broken by 
 a voice, and the man, with a start, 
 turns from the window and faces a 
 customer who has entered so quietly 
 that even the bell on the door has 
 failed to make any sound. 
 
 "Good-day to you, sir," said the 
 customer. "I have been searching 
 the town for some munitions. Have 
 you any?" 
 
 "A complete stock — of every- 
 thing," the old man answered. 
 
 ''Well, I want both large and small. 
 Something suitable for a double-bar- 
 rel and a self-repeater. Can you sup- 
 ply me?" 
 
MUNITIONS 121 
 
 "Yes. How much of each will you 
 have?" 
 
 The man hesitated, and then put- 
 ting his hand in his pocket, he drew 
 out a bundle of notes and handful of 
 gold. 
 
 "That is all I have. Wrap up all 
 you can give me for that amount." 
 
 The old man gazed at the money 
 and then his eyes traveled toward the 
 field where young boys eagerly an- 
 swered to the commands sent forth: 
 Forward ! March ! 
 
 Turning to his shelves, he took 
 down, first, a box marked "For 
 double-barrel," and wrapped it up. 
 Then, next, came a box labelled "self- 
 repeater — all sizes," and then, with 
 great care, came the last — "deadly 
 mixture — guaranteed." 
 
 Each one he made into a separate 
 package and then pushed them to- 
 ward his visitor, who thanked him 
 and departed. 
 
122 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Gathering up the gold and bank 
 notes, the old man went to a safe in 
 the far corner, and, opening the door, 
 took out a drawer marked "Munition 
 Fund" and put the money into it, 
 smiling as he did so. 
 
 Taking his place again at the win- 
 dow, he gazed over the field, lost in 
 thought, and reviewing in memory 
 the years of his youth, when he, too, 
 obeyed the command "Forward! 
 March!" 
 
 A sound made him turn, and he 
 was confronted by his customer, who, 
 in a state of extreme anger, waved 
 his packages at him, exclaiming: 
 
 "I asked for munitions! See what 
 you have given me!" 
 
 The old man came forward, and 
 taking the boxes, proceeded to read: 
 
 "For double-barrel — w arranted, 
 'Kindness!* 
 
 "For self-repeater — guaranteed, 
 
 'Joy!' 
 
MUNITIONS 123 
 
 ''Deadly mixture — Love! 
 
 "Well, my friend, what is wrong? 
 This is all as it should be!'* 
 
 ''Should be? I wanted gunpowder 
 and cartridges — not that stuff !" 
 
 "You have lost your way, my man. 
 On this planet those are our only mu- 
 nitions." 
 
&o\ns ilome 
 
<§Ding ilomt 
 
 HE sky was heavy with 
 menacing clouds, and wind 
 — howling dismally as it 
 blew through the trees — 
 when I met a wayfarer who was 
 walking, with downcast eyes, along 
 the highway which skirted the town. 
 Gazing at him sharply, I met a fur- 
 tive glance, which held within it 
 pleading, and yet had an assurance 
 which was compelling. He hesitated 
 when we came abreast, and as I felt 
 in the mood for converse, I bade him 
 ''Good-evening." 
 
 **It is a good evening, is it not," 
 he repHed. "Good, in its freedom of 
 elements. They make merry to- 
 night." 
 
 This was a strange answer, and my 
 curiosity was piqued, and I felt con- 
 strained to lead him on further. 
 127 
 
128 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 "You feel the elements are enjoy- 
 ing themselves?" I asked. 
 
 "Thoroughly," he answered, "but 
 one never knows what their decision 
 will be." 
 
 "Decision! What do you mean?" 
 
 "Whether they will be content with 
 a simple little frolic or if they have 
 mischief in their minds," he an- 
 swered. 
 
 "Mischief! in their minds!" Surely 
 that is a strange expression to use re- 
 garding the wind and clouds." 
 
 "Strange? You, too, find it 
 strange?" 
 
 As he spoke he looked at, and yet 
 again, not at me, but through me, and 
 then continued: 
 
 "To me there is nothing in all the 
 Universe without mind. All is alive 
 and all make merry or are sad — bring 
 joy or sorrow, as their bent may be. 
 Just as man can be kind, or cruel, 
 make beautiful the world or destroy, 
 
GOING HOME 129 
 
 SO do the Beings dwelling in the ele- 
 ments. 
 
 Tonight they will tell me whether 
 I make merry or pass out in sorrow." 
 
 *That is a strange thing you say! 
 'Make merry or pass out in sorrow.' 
 What does that portend?" I ques- 
 tioned. 
 
 "Sir," he answered, "you do not 
 understand, and yet you look to me 
 as one of us. 
 
 Tonight I am going home and I 
 have not yet made the necessary de- 
 cision as to my going — whether it 
 shall be a right merry leave-taking 
 or one of sadness. Today a winged 
 messenger came and told me my exile 
 was ended and I could start for my 
 home tonight." 
 
 "And where is your home?" I 
 asked. 
 
 "That is for me to decide." 
 "For you to decide ! Is it not where 
 you lived last?" I asked. 
 
130 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 "Alas! no, I have lost that beau- 
 tiful place, but there are others for 
 me to choose from. Or, perhaps, I 
 shall elect to remain here a little 
 longer — I have left so much undone. 
 I find so many words unspoken 
 which would have given joy, perhaps, 
 — so many things postponed. I did 
 not give heed to the passing of hours 
 for I felt years were before me. But 
 the summons has come and I am to 
 go home — to go to the house I have 
 been building." 
 
 His eyes were fixed on the horizon 
 and my gaze followed him, for so in- 
 tent was he that I felt there was some 
 thing there I could see. Then, sud- 
 denly, the wind swxpt past us with a 
 mighty gust. The trees bent beneath 
 its force, and. with a sudden upfling- 
 ing of his head he turned toward me, 
 and said, pointing to the horizon: 
 
 "See! There is my road and just 
 at the end of the lane my home. Yes ! 
 
GOING HOME 131 
 
 after all, it will be good to go back. 
 The weeds are in the garden and it 
 seems neglected, for no love has en- 
 tered into the care of it; but there 
 are blossoms among the grass which 
 has overgrown the doorstep, and I 
 can make it beautiful, after all. Just 
 a little care, a bit of love, and time 
 spent in taking out the nettles, and — 
 yes, it can be made a home. See! 
 there are children down the street. I 
 can build swings and make toys for 
 their playthings, and it can be a merry 
 place." 
 
 Watching him with amazement, T 
 moved along at his side, speaking no 
 word, until we came to a little shanty 
 all by itself, on the dreariest part of 
 the bluff. It was forbidding, and I 
 remembered it was the place of the 
 old miser and renegade of the town. 
 As we reached the door a sudden 
 noise within made me pause, and T 
 
132 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 pushed open the rickety door. From 
 a corner of the hut came a voice: 
 
 "So you have come at last ! I have 
 just been waiting until you reached 
 me, for I am going home. Going 
 home to just a little place like this, 
 but it has flowers in its yard and 
 there are children who need me." 
 
 There came a sudden terrific whirl 
 of wind and dust — the door slammed 
 to and my knees shook, — for I was 
 alone — no soul in sight, no habita- 
 tion — only scurrying clouds and trees 
 bending under the blast, while above 
 me floated down a voice: 
 
 "I am going home! Are you 
 ready? Make ready! for soon you, 
 too, will be 
 
 GOING HOME 
 
Mp lltartft 
 
IRANDFATHER sits in an 
 old armchair. The back of 
 it boasts an anti-macassar 
 in many colors, while the 
 seat has a patchwork cushion. 
 
 Grandmother occupies a low 
 rocker, which moves slowly to and 
 fro, as she softly hums the hymn of 
 the Sunday service. 
 
 Keeping silence is grandfather's 
 "long suit" — while making, in reality, 
 my life. 
 
 He is a sturdy old chap, with a 
 will and determination which has car- 
 ried him beyond anti-macassars and 
 patchwork cushions, and centered it- 
 self upon me No fly was ever more 
 helpless! 
 
 I make the announcement : 
 
 "Life is going to give me some- 
 thing more than this country town." 
 
 135 
 
136 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Silence reigns on the left of the 
 hearth, and creak! creak! and a gentle 
 hum answers me from the right. 
 
 Minutes, which seem hours, pass — 
 but emboldened by the pictures seen 
 in the coals, once more a voice is 
 heard : 
 
 "When I am grown up I am going 
 to the city ! and I am going to travel ! 
 and I am going around the world! 
 and I am going to make a heap of 
 money and be famous!" 
 
 Silence! 
 
 Creak — creak ! ! 
 
 Half of eternity passes — when 
 once more, emboldened spirit takes 
 hold of courage and dares to speak. 
 
 "I have made up my mind and I 
 am going to do what I said, and nofli- 
 ing shall keep me from it!" 
 
 Silence! 
 
 Creak — creak ! ! 
 
 Years pass in review. The coals 
 burn to ash, and from a far-off 
 sphere issues a voice: 
 
MY HEARTH 137 
 
 "ril have none of that nonsense. 
 You'll do what you are told to do!" 
 
 Silence ! 
 
 Creak — creak ! ! 
 
 The pictures fade. A clock strikes. 
 The chair groans and grandfather 
 goes in search of his lantern. 
 
 Creak — ^creak! and then the touch 
 of a gentle hand and a voice made 
 sweet from singing many hymns : 
 
 "Make your pictures, my boy, for 
 they will come true. Make them, 
 hold them, and most of all believe in 
 them. Good night." 
 
 Silence! 
 
 Creak— creak!! 
 
Wjt Eiint W^ 
 
tli)t tE^iixtt Wi 
 
 FOREWORD 
 
 Without Health, Life seems Hell. 
 With Harmony it becomes Heaven. 
 And when combined, Happiness, 
 here, is the result. 
 
 141 
 
tlTfje tKHrce W^ 
 
 PART I. 
 
 N a tavern, which was on 
 the waterfront and visited 
 mostly by sailors on shore 
 leave, lay a semblance of 
 a man. He was tattered and in rags. 
 Crouching at his feet was a dog as 
 forlorn as he was and in a starved 
 condition. 
 
 Standing around the pair was a 
 circle of men — the regular habitues 
 of the place. 
 
 "Where'd you find him, Pete?'' in- 
 quired a sour-visaged standee. 
 
 "On the wharf. I heard the dog, 
 and as my boy wants a cur, I fol- 
 lowed the sound. But love ye! I 
 couldn't touch the dog, for he was 
 that crazy at seeing me. Seemed like 
 he would never stop running around 
 
 143 
 
144 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 me — but always out of reach — first 
 to me and then to the bundle. 
 
 Finally I got Steve there, and to- 
 gether we set to work to pick him 
 up, and do you know, that cur jest 
 settled down as quiet and followed 
 at our heels. Seemed as if that was 
 what he wanted." 
 
 Here the men looked sheepishly at 
 each other, as if each was ashamed 
 at the emotion which stirred within 
 him and was afraid lest it be ob- 
 served. 
 
 Finally the first speaker took cour- 
 age and said: 
 
 "Well, come on, let's see what's 
 wrong. Get some brandy — and, oh! 
 hell ! give the dog something to drink 
 and eat, too." 
 
 In a moment there was action, 
 where before there was inertia. One 
 bringing a basin of warm water and 
 a towel, another brandy, while the rest 
 undertook to look after the dog, who 
 
THE THREE H'S 145 
 
 refused to move away from the man's 
 side, however, and refused even the 
 food and drink offered until he saw 
 that aid was being given to his com- 
 panion. Then, with a growl of satis- 
 faction, which contained as well a de- 
 spairing \moan — as if the relief of 
 nourishment was almost too great to 
 bear — he commenced to devour ra- 
 venously what was placed before him, 
 and gave thanks, in all directions, 
 with a waving and vigorous tail mes- 
 sage. 
 
 Just as he made his final thump of 
 gratitude, the figure of his companion 
 stirred and moaned, and instantly the 
 dog was over the heads of the men, 
 bending over his master and wildly 
 lapping his face and hands, from 
 which the dirt and blood had been 
 removed. 
 
 It was a face of refinement, deli- 
 cate in its outline, and with an ex- 
 pression which held the crowd silent. 
 
146 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Whether the brandy, which had 
 been forced down his throat, or the 
 caressing of the dog aroused him, it 
 is difficult to say — for it was to the 
 dog he turned his eyes, not to the 
 men standing about him, and as his 
 hand touched the animal it gave a 
 wild yelp of gladness. 
 
 At this, a glimmer of a smile passed 
 over the face — a smile tender as a 
 mother's and filled with the love and 
 adoration of a child. 
 
 "Dakta, dear old Dakta," he mur- 
 mured feebly. 
 
 At the sound of his voice the dog 
 laid down and moaned from very joy. 
 
 The man caressed the animal with 
 the gentleness of a woman until it 
 subsided and rested in peace against 
 his body. 
 
 Then his eyes wandered over the 
 group, which had stood silent and 
 awe-struck at the emotion of the dog. 
 With a smile which radiated over 
 them all, he said: 
 
THE THREE H'S 147 
 
 "So you are Dakta's good friends. 
 I welcome you, comrades." 
 
 A shuffling of feet answered him, 
 and glances shot from right to left, 
 but before any one had summoned 
 the courage to reply, he continued: 
 
 "It seems strange to you, I per- 
 ceive, for me to welcome you as 
 Dakta's friends. Men live all their 
 lives with the most precious of jewels 
 at their door and are unaware of it. 
 Often it is wrapped in poor cover- 
 ing and often, too, in gorgeous rai- 
 ment. I was one of those men.'' 
 
 Here he stopped and stroked the 
 dog, who now lay quiet and content, 
 glancing up, now and then, into his 
 friend's face. 
 
 After a moment of silence, the 
 man raised himself and looked in- 
 tently into each face. 
 
 A furtive smile answered his quer\', 
 on some faces, while others looked 
 away, and yet, without their volition, 
 
148 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 their eyes came back and rested on 
 his face. 
 
 **Come nearer, comrades. Sit at 
 ease while I tell you of this jewel, 
 which you all have within your reach 
 and which Dakta, too, possesses." 
 
 The men seated themselves quietly 
 — one might almost say, reverently — 
 so different was their attitude from 
 their usual manner. 
 
 When the men were settled, his 
 glance traveled over them all. 
 
 '*Do you know that you have here 
 untold riches?" 
 
 **To hell, we have!" ejaculated 
 Steve. 
 
 "Exactly," responded the stranger. 
 'That is just it— Hell!— and that is 
 paved with untold wealth — good in- 
 tentions." 
 
 "Huh!" snorted one of the lis- 
 teners, "much good that wealth does 
 a feller; you can't buy a drink with 
 that." 
 
THE THREE H'S 149 
 
 "You are mistaken, my friend. It 
 does you the greatest good in the 
 world, and I will prove it to you ; and, 
 furthermore, it will purchase for you 
 all the drinks you desire. Will you 
 hear?" 
 
 "Fire away " 
 
 II. 
 
 "When I was a lad, I was puny, 
 sickly, and in consequence was barred 
 from the joy of companions and play. 
 
 My parents were too occupied 
 with their great responsibilities — my 
 father amassing wealth and my 
 mother keeping her place as the leader 
 of society — to give any special atten- 
 tion to the offspring who only upset 
 the routine of the household by ill- 
 ness at inopportune times, and so the 
 care was relegated to hirelings — who 
 were paid for their time and gave 
 accordingly only the efforts of their 
 hands, with no thought that they pos- 
 sessed a heart. 
 
150 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 1 was kept out of doors constantly, 
 and my only companion was the 
 mother of Dakta. We grew up to- 
 gether, and it was the exercise given 
 me from ver}' joy and ecstacy — to- 
 gether with the love and devotion, 
 which I felt for the first time, and 
 realized did exist — which restored me 
 gradually to health. 
 
 Next I became acquainted with 
 selfishness and cruelty, for my play- 
 mate — having added to the joy of the 
 world, five beautiful downy bits of 
 life — was taken away from me, for 
 she brought a good price with four 
 of her children. Money was of more 
 importance than love. Dakta, here, 
 was left behind, however, for the 
 stableman, for he had looked after 
 her mother. 
 
 It was from the stableman that I 
 received my first lesson as to the 
 wealth which was to be obtained. 
 
 He was an ugly, brutal looking 
 
THE THREE H'S 151 
 
 man, dirty and unkempt most of the 
 time, but to me he was a very god, 
 for each day he came to the wicket of 
 the fence, with Dakta in his arms, 
 and with a smile which was like a 
 beam of sunshine, he would say, 
 "Hey! little master, here she is," and 
 with that he would put Dakta through 
 the wicket. 
 
 Each day ever since she has been 
 with me, sharing joy and sorrow 
 and teaching me with infinite patience 
 and love the great lessons of life — 
 Faithfulness, Gratitude, Cleanliness, 
 Godliness and Work. 
 
 For ten years she has been stead- 
 fast and her love unchanged, al- 
 though I have led her through the 
 mire many times* and hunger and 
 cold have been her portions," 
 
 Here he put his hand upon the dog 
 and turned its face upward, and, 
 lookin^T into its eyes, said: 
 
 "But never lack of love, old girl! 
 Never that!" 
 
152 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVH^ 
 
 The dog kept its eyes upon him as 
 he spoke, and the men were silent 
 as it gave a little whimpering answer 
 and licked the man's hand. 
 
 Turning once more to his circle of 
 listeners, the man continued his 
 story : 
 
 "I have called you Dakta's com- 
 rades for she selected you, and her 
 judgment is unerring in regard to 
 those who have wealth." 
 
 Here he smiled, and in a whimsical 
 tone said: 
 
 "She is an aristocrat, and traces 
 her family many generations, and 
 therefore shuns those who do not be- 
 long to her class. For we have min- 
 gled with each and every class — hav- 
 ing been the invited guests of multi- 
 millionaires, pampered social leaders, 
 and sat at the table of all of the rulers 
 of the world. We have dwelt in 
 hovels, slept in the desert, and wan- 
 dered forsaken and alone along the 
 highways. 
 
THE THREE H'S 153 
 
 Tonight our pilgrimage ends, for 
 we have won the fight and I am once 
 more in possession of my soul." 
 
 The music of his voice had stilled 
 all the warring elements within each 
 man, and they scarcely breathed for 
 fear of losing that which they felt 
 had entered and warmed them. There 
 was no need for the gin and whisky, 
 which had kept the blood heated, for 
 there was a glow from the eyes of 
 both man and dog which made them 
 warmer than they had ever been. 
 
 Putting his hand on the dog's head, 
 he said: 
 
 "Attention. Dakta! It is time to 
 choose." 
 
 Immediately the dog was on its 
 haunches, ears erect, nose quivering 
 and eyes going from man to man. 
 
 "I have called you Dakta's com- 
 rades, but you are mine as well — for 
 *Lo! the stranger was at your gates 
 and you took him in and bathed and 
 fed him.' 
 
154 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 We need helpers, and Dakta shall 
 choose. After she has selected each 
 one for his particular office, we will 
 discuss the work to be done. I will 
 tell you in advance, however, that you 
 will receive greater payment for your 
 services than you have ever had be- 
 fore.'* 
 
 The men were as graven images. 
 
 Then came the command: 
 
 "Leader! Dakta !'^ 
 
 With a dignity which was inspir- 
 ing, Dakta walked around each man, 
 looking, first, intently into each face 
 and then sniffing. Having made the 
 rounds, she walked to the most be- 
 sotted looking, and putting her paws 
 on his knee, looked up into his face 
 and whined, meanwhile waving in 
 triumph the flag of her tail. 
 
 The man at whose knee she stood 
 put out a trembling and hesitating 
 hand, whereupon Dakta cr^ve a little 
 yelp of pleasure, and kissed it, 
 
THE THREE H'S 155 
 
 At this the entire attitude of the 
 man changed, and he sat erect, where 
 before his body had slouched, and his 
 head went up until the carriage of 
 the body was that of a ruler, and he 
 arose from his chair and, with eyes 
 alight, followed Dakta to the right 
 hand of the man and seated himself 
 on the floor beside him. 
 
 Again came the command: 
 
 "Treasurer! Dakta!" 
 
 Once more the dog made its 
 rounds, stopping finally in front of a 
 man who had kept his eyes upon the 
 ground. He stirred uneasily at the 
 touch of Dakta's paws upon his knee, 
 and made a movement as if he would 
 push her away. At that she gave a 
 little cry and jumped into the lap of 
 the man and commenced to lick his 
 face. 
 
 The man m.ade no move for a mo- 
 ment, and then suddenly clasped her 
 in both arms and hid his face in her 
 neck. 
 
156 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 "Well chosen, Dakta!'' said her 
 master. 
 
 "Come, comrade, and sit at my 
 left." 
 
 The man rose, still holding Dakta 
 close to his heart, but his head raised 
 high and his eyes straight ahead — 
 and took his place at the left, upon 
 the floor. 
 
 Again came the command: 
 
 "The Mender! Dakta!" 
 
 Wriggling out of the arms of the 
 man who held her, she once more 
 made her rounds, this time stopping 
 before Steve, and whining as if in 
 recognition. 
 
 Steve looked down into the ani- 
 mal's face and said: 
 
 "Hell! What ar^ you?" 
 
 At this Dakta leaped about him in 
 ecstacy and tugged at his coat, until 
 Steve put out his brawny hand and 
 caressed her head. 
 
 Once again came the voice of her 
 master : 
 
THE THREE H'S 157 
 
 "Well selected. Let him sit in 
 front of me, Dakta." 
 
 And dragging Steve by the coat, 
 she brought him in front of her mas- 
 ter, who put out his hand and said : 
 
 "Welcome, Brother/' 
 
 As the man's hand touched his, a 
 smile went over the face of Steve and 
 glorified it, and he silently took his 
 place as indicated. 
 
 Once more rang out a command : 
 
 "The Light Bearer! Bring the 
 Light Bearer, Dakta." 
 
 This time Dakta made a flying 
 leap into the lap of Pete, and dog and 
 man gazed into each other's eyes. 
 Then, as Dakta sprang to the floor, 
 Pete followed her where she led him, 
 to her master, who held out both 
 hands and said: 
 
 "My Brother!" And Pete passed 
 around and placed his back next to 
 that of the man. 
 
 A final command rang out: 
 
158 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 "Select the brothers of each !" And 
 Dakta made her rounds, bringing two 
 to sit next to the Treasurer, two next 
 to the Leader, two next to the 
 Mender, and two next to the Light 
 Bearer, coming herself to curl up at 
 her master's feet. 
 
 His eyes traveled over the men 
 seated about him, now all with their 
 heads erect and smiles upon their 
 faces, and joy radiating from them 
 all. 
 
 In a voice sweeter than any music, 
 he said: 
 
 "Hell becomes Heaven when there 
 is Harmony! 
 
 Is it not so, Brothers ?" 
 
(!Pt)^ ^tnitfi 
 
lEEING:— 
 
 From my nest on shore 
 I gaze across the sea to a 
 ^^ tiny speck of white which 
 appears on the horizon — a fluttering 
 sail. 
 
 Suddenly, a swiftly darting thing 
 of gray — a puif of smoke — 
 
 I strain my eyes in vain, but no- 
 where can be seen a fluttering sail of 
 white or the darting thing of gray. 
 
 Only the ever-moving sea, gleam- 
 ing with light! 
 
 FEELING:— 
 
 What tragedy has been enacted? 
 
 How many souls have silently bid 
 adieu to the sunshine and the sea? 
 
 To what home is the news carried? 
 
 How many hearts are made to suf- 
 fer? 
 
 How many homes bereft? 
 
 161 
 
162 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 TASTING:— 
 
 I sit and gaze from my nest on 
 land, but only a wall of gray can I 
 distinguish. 
 
 Suddenly upon my lips a taste of 
 salt! 
 
 Can it be that I, too, have been sub- 
 merged and the waters of the sea 
 caress my lips? 
 
 Alas! no! for the gray wall fades 
 away and before my eyes is a sunlit 
 sea with nothing in sight and upon 
 my lips only my tears. 
 
 HEARING:— 
 
 From out my nest I gaze upon the 
 sea. Gray it is, from leaden sky. 
 
 A deadly silence — then the tramp 
 of myriad feet. 
 
 Suddenly the stillness is shattered 
 by a volley and the last honors of the 
 land are given to my all ! ! 
 
THE SENSES 163 
 
 TOUCHING:— 
 
 From outside my nest I gaze upon 
 the sea. 
 
 My hands clasp only the leaves of 
 many flowers and dampened earth, 
 when leaden sky is reft and the tears 
 of the angels of heaven fall upon my 
 head in understanding, — and are ad- 
 ded to the sea! 
 
 From out my nest I gaze across 
 the sea. 
 
 A sunlit, sparkling sea 
 A gleaming dancing sea — 
 "All joy! all hope! be thine," 
 It seems to say, 
 "For life has just begun." 
 
Jf amies 
 
jfantiti 
 
 Birds go seeking 
 Mates, 
 
 All on a day made gay. 
 "Trees are blooming, 
 Branches waiting, — 
 Will you come?" 
 Shy the answer — 
 Swift surrender — 
 Roundelays are heard. 
 
 Time is flying, 
 Summer coming, 
 When the families 
 Say farewell. 
 
 167 
 
168 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 In a pasture green 
 Fair flowers bloom ; 
 Gay their faces — 
 Bright their dresses. 
 
 Swiftly seeking, 
 Whirling, wheeling, 
 Comes a flock 
 At noon. 
 
 "Here are daisies, 
 
 Sweetest grasses, 
 
 Buttercups and clover, 
 
 Let us linger, sip and treasure." 
 
 Summer passes, 
 
 Grasses perish, 
 
 But in sweetness 
 
 Is Springtime cherished. 
 
FANCIES 169 
 
 Daylight passes, 
 Night approaches, 
 Lights begin to gleam. 
 In the houses 
 One can fancy 
 Nestlings tucked to rest. 
 
 Good night, sea, 
 Good night world, 
 All my soul goes out 
 To thee. 
 Happy meeting, 
 Friendly greeting 
 Upon the milky way, 
 
170 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 TRUSTING 
 
 Upon tJie ocean wide 
 Two little ships set sail. 
 
 Over an ocean blue 
 
 Two little birds sailed true. 
 
 Kneeling upon a nursery floor 
 Two little children fair. 
 
 Under a star-lit sky 
 
 A youth and a maiden, shy. 
 
 With sightless eyes and folded hands, 
 Old age murmurs, "God knows best." 
 
 Faith — trust — love — courage ! 
 That is all — God does the rest. 
 
FANCIES 171 
 
 THOUGHTS 
 
 Thinking, thinking, thinking, 
 As the needle travels to and fro 
 Through sheerest linen— finest lace- 
 Weaving patterns — all unseen. 
 Upon its face. 
 
 Pictures vivid, pictures dim, 
 Pictures gay and with sadness grim, 
 Tiny feet — clinging hands — 
 All are in the fabric's sheen. 
 
 Unseen tracery takes its place, 
 To weave again its mystic theme. 
 
172 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 THINKING 
 
 The only value of thinking 
 
 Is thinking of things worth while, 
 
 Of thinking of what you want to be, 
 
 And thinking of things to do 
 
 For the folks — who know not the 
 
 value 
 Of thinking of things worth while. 
 All that you are, or will be, 
 Is vested in thinking. 
 And it's the thoughts worth while, 
 Ajid the deeds well planned, 
 Which build your mansion here — and 
 
 there. 
 So what are you thinking now — 
 
 there ? 
 
FANCIES 173 
 
 Oh ! the hours we spend, 
 
 And the days we spend, 
 
 In thinking no thoughts at all — 
 
 For the only thoughts — which really 
 
 count — 
 Are the thoughts of love sent out to 
 
 all, 
 For they are the thoughts worth 
 
 while. 
 
I^esterbap— ®o&ap 
 
I^esterbap— Sobap 
 
 A Fantasy in Three Parts 
 PART I.— YESTERDAY 
 
 1 
 
 ^ 
 
 s 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 3t=s==iyif 
 
 
 ITTLE wisps of clouds I 
 meet as I wander by the 
 sea, — fragile as lacy petti- 
 coats that imprison the 
 form. Useless they seem to be, but 
 as I watch I think I see a form. Mul- 
 tiplying, I mistake seeming for fact, 
 and revel in the vision they recall. 
 
 Cloudless skies — dazzling sunshine 
 — heavy scent of flowers, and floating 
 upon the breast of the jeweled sea, a 
 barge — gay with silken draperies, 
 flowers and the music of many blades 
 cleaving the waves. 
 
 Upon a golden couch lies a softly 
 clad nymph. Sapphire are her eyes, 
 alabaster her arms, coral tinges her 
 mouth and pearls gleam, as the sun 
 warms and bathes her in its rays. 
 
 177 
 
178 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 So motionless she lies that one 
 might think it a magical statue carven 
 by a master hand — only, in the eyes 
 gleams a force which keeps at regu- 
 lar beats the play of the blades and 
 sends the craft to the port desired. 
 
 Supporting herself on one arm, she 
 raises high the other and points to a 
 gleaming palace by the water's edge, 
 and with a quicker rhythm the barge 
 sweeps over the water and reaches 
 the landing. 
 
 It is a palace of dreams which ap- 
 pears to be holding within its walls 
 the design of Aspiration. 
 
 Alighting from the barge, the 
 nymph seems to float through the air, 
 so lightly does she glide over the 
 earth, and enters the palace. 
 
 In the entrance hall she hesitates 
 
 and looks — from the left, where Music 
 
 beckons, to the right, w^here Art 
 
 smiles, and then stands and gazes at 
 
 a closed door. It is simple in design 
 
YESTERDA Y—TODA Y 179 
 
 and quite plain and ordinary com- 
 pared to the rest of the palace, but 
 unlike all the other doors, which stand 
 open, this is tightly closed. On look- 
 ing closer, over the portal can be seen 
 in infinitesimal letters, the words 
 Knowledge, Wisdom, Power. 
 
 In front of this door sits a figure 
 wrapped in flowing garments. Hesi- 
 tatingly, the nymph approaches, and 
 addresses the figure in accents which 
 are full of sweetness and yet are 
 throbbing with will and determina- 
 tion. 
 
 "I would enter. Open the door for 
 me. 
 
 "By what right do you issue that 
 command?" asks the custodian. 
 
 "The right of Desire. Is that not 
 sufficient?" 
 
 "Nay! not here. The other rooms 
 may be entered and dwelt in by that 
 alone, but this opens its doors only to 
 aspiration for Qualities, for it is that 
 
180 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 knowledge only which can be gained 
 within." 
 
 ''QuaHties ! What are they ? I tell 
 you I will enter! You may sit there 
 forever, if vou will, but I shall pass 
 you." 
 
 "Gladly will I stand aside for you 
 when you are able to give me the 
 pass-word which unlocks the door," 
 replied its keeper. 
 
 "And where shall I purchase that 
 w^ord? No price is beyond me." 
 
 "There is no price. It is just a 
 little word. Seek it diligently and you 
 will find." 
 
 With a gesture of disdain the 
 nymph swept past and entered the 
 rooms, first to the left and then to 
 the right, and then coming again to 
 the closed door, seated herself and 
 said: 
 
 "I WILL enter! No matter how 
 long I must remain. What is the 
 use of this palace to me, if that room 
 
YESTERDA Y—TODA Y 181 
 
 is closed? I will have none of it! I 
 command you to open the door." 
 
 But the figure remained motion- 
 less, and finally, wearying of the si- 
 lence , the nymph approached and 
 touched the sleeve of the garment — 
 but, alas! it gave no response, for it 
 was stone. 
 
 II. 
 TODAY 
 
 Lying within the embrace of many 
 pillows was a woman, her eyes fixed 
 upon the sea, which rolled and tum- 
 bled below her making a very sym- 
 phony of sound. 
 
 Her eyes travelled slowly to the 
 horizon, then back to the book which 
 lay upon her lap. Picking it up she 
 commenced to read: 
 
 "Lying within each and every soul 
 is the seed which contains the mem- 
 ory of all past achievements, all past 
 
182 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 desires, like a pure crystal which re- 
 flects all within its surface. Just as 
 the crystal will reflect blurred pict- 
 ures when it is marred by ill usage, 
 so this seed fails to give the perfect 
 flower of knowledge when it has met 
 with neglect To give it warmth will 
 bring to view all its possibilities, all 
 its loveliness. 
 
 "Make a search for that seed with- 
 in you which contains all memories. 
 Review each and every event by 
 pouring upon it the sunshine of under- 
 standing and searching. Look with- 
 in and "Know Thyself." 
 
 At this the woman put down her 
 book and once again her gaze wan- 
 dered to the horizon and within her 
 eyes came a gleam — gazing intently 
 — without movement. 
 
 One watching her would have said 
 she saw something upon that sea, 
 which stretched before her. 
 
 With a swift movement she slips 
 
VESTERDA Y—TODA Y 183 
 
 from her pillows, and with wide open 
 eyes, exclaims: 
 
 "The door — the same one of my 
 dreams." 
 
 Entranced, she remains motionless 
 until a sudden gust of wind picks up 
 her book and flings it at her feet. 
 
 Stooping, she picks it up, and then, 
 as her eyes scan the page, there is a 
 sudden tenseness of the body, as she 
 reads : — 
 
 "The key to the 'Temple of Knowl- 
 edge' lies within each soul and he 
 who seeks, from the heart, shall find. 
 To knock imperiously will summon 
 the guardians, but to reach the inner 
 chamber it is necessary to enter first 
 into the closet of your own soul. 
 
 There, in a neglected corner, will 
 be the golden key. It will be in need 
 of burnishing, perhaps — ^hidden as it 
 has been all these years, but just a 
 little effort will bring out its brilli- 
 ancy. Take it in your hands, rever- 
 
184 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 ently, for it is fragile, as well as pure, 
 and place it next to your heart. Keep 
 it there until you can feel the warmth 
 radiating from it, through your en- 
 tire being. Then, and then only, is 
 it ready for use. for it is then a Mas- 
 ter Key and can unlock any door." 
 
 With a sudden exclamation, the 
 lx)ok is clasped more closely, and a 
 light of understanding breaks over 
 her face. 
 
 "So simple! And I have searched 
 so long! — Just love!" 
 
 III. 
 
 THE REAPING 
 
 In the streets flags are waving 
 and banners unfurled to the breeze, 
 while along the edges are eager, 
 strained faces, watching. 
 
 With a shout, the cry rings out, 
 'They are coming!" and then in the 
 
YESTERDA Y—TODA Y 185 
 
 distance is heard the sound of music 
 and the tramping of many feet, all in 
 unison. 
 
 Gradually the marchers make their 
 way past the waiting throngs, and 
 as they pass, each head is raised in 
 wonderment, and then reverently 
 bowed, for, arm in arm march the 
 Nations of the World, — all united in 
 a common bond and no longer ene- 
 mies, for at their head moves a tiny 
 child, carrying in its hands a wee ban- 
 ner, but of mighty import, — for on 
 it in letters of gold is 
 
 "The Ruler of all the World" 
 "LOVE" 
 
iSrtion— ^Reaction 
 
action— leieaction 
 
 ACTION 
 
 \ ILL AGE nestling among 
 the pines. Only the buzz 
 of insects and hum of bees, 
 together with the ac- 
 companiment of rustling branches, 
 breaks the silence. 
 
 All is peace and harmony. 
 Hark! 
 
 From afar sounds a discordant 
 blatant note. Nearer it comes, ever 
 growing harsher, until at last, at the 
 end of the street is seen a mounted 
 horseman, with a bugle at his lips. 
 With one final blast he summons all 
 the peaceful souls, who crowd about 
 him. He watches them, as they 
 gather, with an appraising eye, and 
 then with uplifted hand commands 
 silence. 
 
 189 
 
190 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 "All men and boys past the age of 
 twelve follow me. 
 
 "In the name of the Law you must 
 obey! Come!" 
 
 Raising his bugle, once more he 
 shatters the peace of that little ham- 
 let and moves on, followed in silence 
 by all the men and boys over twelve. 
 
 No sound but that of moving feet 
 can be heard. No tears, no lamenta- 
 tions from the stricken statues left 
 behind. 
 
 The hush of even-tide — 
 The drone of insects — 
 The hum of bees — 
 The swaying of branches. 
 Thrilled by the breeze — 
 
 and silence once more descends upon 
 the street 
 
ACTION— REACTION 191 
 
 Fur roughed ground — 
 Booming guns — 
 Shrieking shells — 
 Smoke-laden air — 
 
 Young, old-men boys, automatons of 
 men, ply their trade at the command 
 "By order of the Law! Obey!" 
 
 Daylight passes — 
 
 The hues of even-tide caress, 
 
 And speak of rest, 
 
 but the command rings out : 
 "Forward! Attack!" 
 
 Night comes forth 
 
 With gleaming mantle, 
 
 And lays it over all that remains — 
 
 Furroughed ground! 
 
192 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 REACTION 
 
 A bugle sounds in a hamlet town, 
 and streaming forth come stricken 
 souls, who with outstretched arms go 
 forth to meet that straggling band 
 which passes through the street — but 
 they pay no heed. 
 
 Luminous are their faces, radiant 
 their robes, as they gaze straight 
 ahead, with never a look to the right 
 or the left. 
 
 Morning breezes — 
 Buzz of insects 
 Hum of bees — 
 Branches bending 
 To the breeze. 
 
^'^isim 
 
9 Vision 
 
 N the far distant East 
 gleams a light — faint but 
 effulgent, and as I wa^ch 
 it moves slowly, majes- 
 tically, westward. 
 
 Still I gaze, and watch it ever going 
 higher, moving more swiftly, and 
 growing ever brighter and larger. 
 
 Still I gaze : 
 
 Swifter becomes its movement, 
 more dazzling its light, and lo! from 
 what seemed a speck when I first 
 gazed upon that light, has grown a 
 golden bird with outstretched wings 
 gleaming and sending showers of 
 golden radiance with each movement. 
 
 Westward it moves, ever expand- 
 ing, ever more dazzling, until at last 
 all the face of the world has been 
 showered with the glimmering gold 
 from its wings. 
 
 195 
 
196 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 
 
 Still I gaze : 
 
 High in the heavens is motionless 
 this wonderful golden bird — then, 
 slowly, with scarcely moving pinions 
 it descends, and with a final quiver 
 takes under the shelter of its mighty 
 wings a world of sorrow. 
 
 Still I gaze : 
 
 No movement, but ever the light 
 increasing and dazzling in brilliancy 
 and beauty. 
 
 Still I gaze : 
 
 A flutter — an unfolding of the 
 mighty pinions and then a swift flight 
 upwards — ever swifter— ever higher, 
 until at last all sight of its wonder is 
 lost. 
 
 Then I gaze where it rested, and 
 behold ! a new earth of dazzling gold 
 and everywhere gleaming lights of 
 rainbow tints 
 
 Then I muse: 
 
 And from out of the silence comes 
 a voice: 
 
A VISION 197 
 
 'Thus will the world appear when 
 Peace has folded it within its wings, 
 and Love shines out from each and 
 every window/* 
 
00032193723 
 
 This book must not 
 be taken from the 
 Library building. 
 
JliLJU A 
 
 JUPLE EJECTED 'VANISHES FROR 
 
 F ROM THEIR HOME] SPIRIT SANCTUAB 
 
 me. Parma and Her Husband, 
 Albert H aught on Pratt, in 
 
 Arrears. i O'l'^^ 
 
 i 
 
 TLANTIC HIGHTA.^DS, ^ J.. Aag. 
 — Mme. P. Mildred Parma and Albert 
 ug-hton Pratt, who figrured conspicu- 
 >ly In the news several years agro, 
 'e been ousted from their home, which 
 known here as the "Little White 
 use.'* They went out as a result of 
 rrlt of assistance issued against them 
 
 Vice Chancellor Foster recently in 
 wark. 
 
 hey arransed to buy the house for 
 >00 five years agro and paid $1,500, 
 ; when the balance was due seme 
 le later they did not make a pay- 
 nt. They started an action for a 
 onnation of the deed, but Vice Chan- 
 or Foster decided against them, 
 nmedlately after the decision, a writ 
 demand for possession of the prop- 
 r wai served upon Mme. Parma on 
 alf of the owner, Arthur N. Hanson, 
 ignored it and retained possession 
 the property. Hanson then obtained 
 
 writ of assistance, "which was ser\'ed 
 Monday. 
 
 ratt, according to Deputy Sheriff 
 les P. McCann, who served the writ, 
 lared that he. had naarried Mme. 
 •ma in 1919. Both the man and the 
 nan quoted Scripture to the deputy 
 an attempt to dLssuade him from 
 erlng them out. He told them he- had 
 
 greatest respect for Holy Writ, but 
 t it did not apply in this instance, 
 tie couple left the house, but Hanson 
 eed to i>ermit their furniture to re- 
 in until the next day. It was then 
 lOved and Mme. Parma announced 
 t It would be stored in Red Bank. 
 ! pair would not tell where they were 
 ig to live. 
 
 ratt is said to be a nephew of a man 
 aed Houghton In tlie firm of 
 jghton, Mifflin & Co., publishers, 
 tt's wife, Mrs. Catherine Sloane 
 tt, sued for divorce in Manhattan, 
 aing Mme, Parma as co-respondent. 
 ,tt was an editor for the concern and 
 ied some stock that he sold and gave 
 
 money to Mme. Parma, along with 
 er money that brought the sum to 
 000. ^ 
 
 Prophet Albert Houghton Pr 
 
 hnd his priestess, Mme. P. Mild 
 
 I'drma, ousted from their sane 
 
 ary in Atlar 
 
 Highlands, 
 
 J., have dis; 
 
 peared entir 
 
 from the 
 
 worldly haur 
 
 The pairhf 
 
 not been S( 
 
 in A 1 1 a n t 
 
 Highlands sii 
 
 tast Tuesc 
 
 night, wl 
 
 forced to lej 
 
 the Little Wh 
 
 House, to wh 
 
 they had 
 
 . paired seve 
 
 Aiu >* TT . . years ago aj 
 
 Albert Houghton haven of refi 
 
 irTatt from a gr 
 
 storn^ predicted by Pratt, ai 
 
 their failure to make the arrani 
 
 payments on the house. . 
 
 Ouija Wins. 
 
 About five years ago A. Hou 
 ton Pratt, director in the firm 
 Houghton, Mifflin & Co., devo 
 husband of the daughter of Alf 
 P. Sloan, millionaire, met Mi 
 Parma, a student of trie occult. 
 
 The need for a sanctuary wh 
 the spiritual revelations cauld 
 received . properly became urg 
 and the bungalow on the Atlar 
 coast was purchased, Pratt pay 
 $1,500 as an initial payment. 
 
 Cupid Trod the Occult. 
 
 Heretofore Mrs. Pratt had t; 
 the occult path with her husba 
 But the Sanctuary of the Lord, 
 Pratt is quoted as refeiTing to 
 bungalow, must have strained ] 
 faith, for shortly after its purchj 
 
 SPA RHaH -fnT f]\\7r\ynck -n o tv> i -n n. H/T.