Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1903-04-10
The Fear of Fear


has uO near ana uedf relatives
or friends TO whom he is especially at
tached, when his life, whether In busi-
ness or in leisure, Is methodical and
unchanging, and when things that di-
vert and give pleasure TO others have
become II burden-then let HIM beware
of his own mind. for he knows not
what trick 1t may be making ready to
play upon him.
1t is with souls as with animals
starvation and i'll treatment will rem
der even the most gentle of them un-
manageable, eccentric and dangerous.
| am moved to set down these re-
Elections by the peculiar fate that re-
Gently overlook Andrew Dawley-a
man whom | had known for ten years
or more with some degree OF intimacy,
but whom | hesitate to describe rs a
friend of mine, for the reason that |
have once or twice heard him say
coolly and without bitterness he
had no friends.
There were twenty years between
our ages, an interval that would be
likely to forbid close relations between
two men who were without common
tastes and interests. Propinquity gave
us acquaintance, for | occupied at that
time the room next but one to his, on
the fourth floor, in the east wing OF
the Hotel MacMahon; but it was an ac-
quaintance that was as slow of growth
and almost as frigid as a glacier
The first year, | think, we merely
nodded when we met in the hall. Dur
ing the second and third years we ex-
changed an occasional word. About
that time | remember. he captured
a sneak thief on the stairway, over
came his fierce resistance, and held
him until the police came. and |, hear
ing of 1t, went to his room to talk 1t
over.
Then | left the hotel for a matter of
five or six years, and on my return
found Dawley the only one | knew In
the place--still occupying the same
room, and living the same unyarying
life. And now, at rare intervals, we
spent an evening together, usually on
his invitation, and in his room. He
seemed to be i'll at ease elsewhere.
Up the time that he explained tome
his peculiar theory on the subject of
fear, had regarded him as IA dull and
commonplace character. Conversation
with him was difficult, by reason Of
my apparent inability to discover a
topic in which he was genuinely inter-
ssted. There were interminable
pauses, during which he drew slowly
and regularly at his pipe, and stared
into the fire. s
Our discussion on the subject of fear
began with. my commenting on the
fact that light was burning in his
room the night before at one o'clock,
which had noticed, coming In at that
hour, after dance.
Il keep light in my room all night"
said he; II hate the dark"
Now, this had not been his custom
when | was a neghbor of his some
years before. and l commented upon
the change.
81 suppose it Is an evidence of the
weight of years" said he; hut | am
troubled of late with peculiar fancies
and dreams. Sitting alone here in the
evening, things somehow get on my
nerves, and the thought OF suddenly
waking out of sound sleep to find
myself shut in by blackness Is quite
intolernble to me"
Now this sentiment was so utterly
at variance with my conception of An
drew Dawley-a cold, practical man of
business and of the world. as | knew
him--that instead of dropping the sub
ject. as | might have done with
more sensitive man, | pursued 1t some
wnat farther.
"As a child" | remarked, Il had a
great terror of the dark: but 1t ceased
entirely when | was old enough TO
reason with myself
What was the course OF your rea-
soningy' he asked.
"Well, | had become convinced that
supernatural beings did not exist-such
as ghosts and goblins and gnomes-
and, on the other hand, | knew that
+ In a well l-protected house there was
practically no danger from burglars or
/ wild animals. SO, having completely
assured myself that there was nothing
In the dark, any more than there was
in the light. | ceased TO be afraid of
It,"
Good logic" said Dawley, with a
smile. II remember working out the
same conclusion when | was about
twelve years old. And 1t has held with
me ever since. until recently | dlseov-
cred flaw in the reasoning Oh, IT
doesn't apply TO anyone else he added
hastily. 'as | undertook to speak. 1T
is purely personal, and | hesitate to
disturb your equanimity by descrlb-
ing it,.
"Neyer fear" said |, with a laugh
"These sentiments are largely based
on temperament, and | don't believe
.ht.o. 10 III, aly IN change nv point