The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-10-26
SEARCHING AFTER TRUTH.

| The Realization Was In Weird Discord "a
the Anticipation.
Truth lies at the bottom Of a WE'LL
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 a knock came at her door.
and she sprang up and opened it.
There on the threshold stood a bundl.
Of rags, which moved as if breathing.
She shuddered as she asked. '.Who are
you:' Then came the answer:
Il am Truth"
Il would see your face" she cried.
Nay, innocent one, my face is no,
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, moi
loathsome, and with the conviction OF
youth she was satisfied with herself fol
having refused this grewsome thing ad.
mittance. F,-om that day, however,
strange visitors knocked at her door
and each called himself Truth.
First came a gay party Of dancers,
whose graceful figures swaying to and
fro captivated her fancy; their musical
voices held her as in their thrall. Their
visit was like a delightful dream, and
she asked. Pray tell me who you arc:'
And they answered. I'VE are Truth
So she believed for days: then she real.
lied her mistake. and that they We're
moi Truth. but pleasure. Again she
went TO the well, but there found moth
ing.
Adav dawnal brightly, and there came
another knock.
On her threshold stood a lovely child
Its hair was Garlanded with flowers.
and its garD vas spotless white.
When it entered, il was as if IL portion
of the pure light of the sun had stolen
into the room.
The chllds arms were o 0 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 a gentle whisper, Il am
Truth" the child was gone. and at her
feet buds blossoined-the room was light
er than it had1been for years.
The memory Of that vision remained
with her a long time, but at last it fled.
and then she knew it was Love, not
Truth.
Again she went to the well, vet found
nothing.
Years after another knock came, Her
heart beat fast as the figure of a man en-
tered. His manner was hattering and
full of ~grace-his face seemed honest.
She had never felt the influence of 9th
er visitors exerted over her with the DOW
er of this one.
She dared not ask his name. but as he
left he said. pressing her hand, Il am
Truth"
For years she believed it; then came
doubt, and she saw what had b, n her
ideal of Truth was only Policy.
The next visitor was "A long bearded,
bent old man. whose face was furrowed
and whose hands We're palsied.
From his feeble lips came the words,
am Truth His stay was short, but
1AII ACAltA1Dtitu tIdl NlSllbI. anu OIL I
when the days were drear she saw be-
fore her the trembling hands, the thin,
snow white locks, the bent form and
.he quivering lips, and she believed she
1ad found Truth.
But she was growing older now, and
'omething told her that Sorrow was not
Truth. Then she went to the well, and
t was dry. But there, far down in its
she saw a toad. Who are your
he cried, and a hollow voice replied,
i am Trad ton" So she turned her
ace toward home and knew that the
Whole world lied and was deceived.
That same night came u knock at her
DOR. She rose slowly and opened it.
here stood h strangecreat11re covered
nth rags-her first visitor.
What would you? Who are you."
Then came the answer, Il am Truth"
Il would see your face" she muir
lured.
Nay, experienced one, my face is not
lir to see, but / am Truth"
yet would l see it," she made an
xer, for well know / now that Truth
not what we would have it, nor is it
Lir." ID
Then the figure threw off its rag COW
ing, and before her stood a skeleton.
Now she knew her life search was end
I and that she had at last found Truth.
Henry Russell Wray in Philadelphia
+,
The Prince COusort'e NIL.
One Of the morning papers, in a some
hot hiuh A1nn nrti.a ~ %1,a 1n4a CT