Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-03-20

or friends to whom he is especially at
tached, when his life, whether In bus1-
ness or in leisure, is methodical and
unchanging, and when things that di-
vert and give pleasure to others have
become a burden-then let him beware
of his own mind, for he knows not
what trick it 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-
manageab BILE, eccentric and dangerous.
l am moved to set down these re-
fections 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 1 hesitate to describe as a
friend of mine, for the reason that l
have once or twice heard him say
coolly and without bitterness-that 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 or
the Hotel MacMahon; but it was an ac-
quaintance that was as slow of growth
and almost as frigid as glacier.
The first year, I 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, 1 remember, he captured
q sneak thief on the stairway, over
came his fierce resistance, and held
him until the police came, and 1, hear
ing of 1t, went to his room to talk 1t
over.
Then 1 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 unvarying
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.
Upto the time that he explained to me
his peculiar theory on the subject of
fear, had regarded him as 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-
ested. There were interminable
pauses, during which he drew slowly
and regularly at his pipe, and stared
into the fire.
Our discussion on the subject Of fear
began with my commenting on the
fact that a light was burning in his
room the night before at one o'clock,
hour, after dance.
''I keep light in my room all night, "
said he; "I hate the dark"
Now, this had not been his custom
when / was a neighbor Of his some
years before, and 1 commented upon
the change.
ST suppose it is an evidence Of the
weight of years." said he; "but 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
intolerable 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 1 knew
hfm-that instead Of dropping the SUBJ
ject, as I might have done with
more sensitive man, pursued it some
wuat farther.
''As a child" l remarked, 81 had a
great terror of the dark; but it ceased
entirely when 1 was old enough to
reason with myself"
What was the course Of your rea-
soning?' he asked.
''Well, I 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-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, I ceased to be afraid of
it,
Good logic" said Dawley, with a
smile. 81 remember working out the
same conclusion when I was about
twelve years old. And it has held with
me ever since, until recently 1 discov-
cred a flaw in the reasoning. Oh, it
doesn't apply to anyone else" he added
hastily, ''as 1 undertook to speak. "It
is purely personal, and I hesitate to
disturb your equanimity by describ-
ing it,.
Never fear" said I, with laugh.
'These sentiments are largely based
on temperament, and I don't believe
anything is likely to change my point
of view"
''Our boyish logic" said he, after q
pause, disposed Of everything that
was objective-from the outside
whether real or supernatural; but 1t
did not touch the subjective elements
Of the problem, Of which the chief
is fear itself. Now, I do not believe
1 am physically a coward"
Il know you are not" interrupted.