The herald., 1893-10-27
SEARCHING AFTER TRUTH.
The Realization Was In Weird Dlscord to
the Anticipation.

so the people Of the world told her.
She was young and fair, and she
searched for Truth, but her frequent
visits to the we'll brought no discovery;
only the reflection Of her beautiful face
in the water.
One night knock came at her door,
and she sprang up and opened it.
There on the threshold stood bundle
of rags, which moved as if breathing.
Sho shuddered as she asked, "Who are
you?" Then came the answer:
Il am Truth"
81 would see your face" she cried.
"Nay, innocent one, my face is NOT
fair to look upon, but am Truth"
The cold wind was blowing and cry
ing. and she closed the door. The Truth
she sought was pure and beautiful, not
loathsome, and with the conviction Of
youth she was satisfied with herself for
having refucod this grewsome thing ad.
mittancc. prca that day, however,
strange visitors Knocked at her door.
and each called i'im4olf Truth.
First calac u say party Of dancers,
whose cracc. &! lirures swaying to and
fro captivaic3 hoy fancy; their musical
voices held ef as in their thrall. Their
visit was liz . delightful dream, and
she asked, iay tell me who you arcS"
And they answered, "Wc are TRUTH
So she belicsod ior days; then she real.
lied her M ,take, and that they were
not Truth, bui pleasure. Again she
went 10 the well, but there found moth
ing.
A day dawaed brightly, and there came
another knock.
On her threshold stood lovely child.
Its hair was garlanded with flowers,
and its garb was spotless white.
When it entered, it was as if portion
of the pure light of the sun had stolen
into the room.
The chiid's arms were soon intwined
about the neck of the seeker after Truth.
The odor of the blossoms intoxicated
her; her heart beat with wild delight; a
tender kiss was stamped on her brow,
and with gentle whisper, II am
Truth" the child was gone, and at hcr
feet buds blossomed-the room was light,
er than it had been for years.
The memory of that vision remained
with her long time, but at last it fed,
and then she knew it was Love, not
Truth.
Again she went to the well, yet found
nothing.
Years after another knock came. Her
heart beat fast rs tho figure of q man en-
tered. His manner was fiattering and
full of grace-his face seemed honest.
She had never felt the infu1pce of 9th
er visitors exerted over herwiIn the pow
er of this one.
She dared not ask his name, but as he
left he said, pressing her hand, II am
Truth"
For years she believed it; then came
doubt, and she saw what had been her
ideal of Truth was only Policy.
The next visitor was a long bearded,
bent old man, whose face was furrowed
and whose hands were palsied.
From his feeble lips came the words,
81 am Truth" His stay was short, but
she remembered that visitor, and oft
when the days were drear she saw be-
fore her the trembling hands, the thin,
snow white locks, the bent form and
the quiveling lips, and she believed she
had found Trush.
But she was growing older now, ard
something told her that Sorrow was not
Truth. Then she went to the well, and
it was dry. But there, far down in its
depths, she saw toad. WHO are your"
she cried, and hollow voice replied,
Il am Tradition" So she turned her
face toward home and knew that the
whole world lied and was deceived.
That same night came q knock at her
door. She rose slowly and opened it.
There stood the strange creature covered
with rags-her first visitor.
What would you? Who are your
Then came the answer, Il am Truth"
II would see your face" she MUIR
INJURED.
MAY, experienced one, my face is not
fair TO see, but am Truth"
'Yet would / see it," she made an
swer, ''for well know now that Truth
is not what we would have it, nor is it
fair"
Then the figure threw off its rag COW
ering, and before her stood a skeleton.
!. Now size knew her life search was end
ed and that she had at last found Truth.
Henry Russell Wray in Philadelphia
Ledger