Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-08-11

Ii have kept this diary because 1t
amuses me-, because l am not afraid, be-
cause my nature Graves n demands some
honest expression somewhere. IT these
pages were read l should be destroyed. l
understand that. but 1 I'M in constant dan
ger of being destroyed anyway. l might
be killed by an automobile accident. A
small artery in my brain might snap. Be-
sides. | have no fear. since / regard my
W life and all other lives as OF abso-
lutely trifiing Importance.
lL.-Half the great men OF this world
are great criminals. The Napoleons of
war murder thousands; the Napoleons OF
trade and finance plumber tens of thou
sands. 1t Is the same among beasts and
fishes. among birds and insects, probably
among angels and devils. Everywhere we
find one memorable law, resistless as
gravitation. that impels the strong to
plumber and destroy the weak.
II1.-It is five years since I committed
what would be called a monstrous and
cowardly crime. AS a matter Of fact,
did what my intelligence recognized as
necessary and what was therefore my
duty. However. let US call it a crime.
have been interested to watch for any
consequences or effects of this crime in
myself. and l ave discovered none.
study my face carefully and fail to fine
any marks of wickedness. My eyes arc
clear and beautiful: my skin is remark.
ably free from lines. I am in splendid
health. My nerves are absolutely steady
l have a keen sense OF humor. l am Ger.
talnly a better m a better looking, bet.
ter feeling. stronger in every way, thar
l was before l committed his crime. II
is absolute nonsense. therefore,, to say
that sin or crime-l mean intelligent sir
or crlme-puts an ugly stamp on a man
The ugly stamp comes from bad health
bad surroundings. bad conditions Of life
and these can usually be changed by
money, which l have!
- night, July 4, 1 shot a man
Martinez. at the Ansonia hotel. OBJ.
served my sensations carefully and mus
say that they were of a most common
place character. There was no danger II
the adventure. nothing difficult about it
IN fact. it was far less exciting thai
shooting moose in the Maine woods Of
tracking grizzlies in the Rockies or go,
Ing after tigers in India. There Is really
nothing so tame as shooting a man!
vi have the most tremendous admtra.
ton for myself. for the use l nave made
OF my opportunities. l started as the sor
of a broken down nobleman, my materia
assets being a trumpery title. My bes,
chance was to marry one Of the vain and
shallow rich women Of America, and
succeeded III marrying the very richest Of
them. She was a widow with an enor
nous fortune that her husband, a rapa.
cious brute. had wrung from the toll OF
thousands in torturing mines. Following
his method. l disposed of the woman
then of her daughter. and came into pos.
session OF the fortune. 1t would have
been a silly thing to leave such vast DO.
tential power to a chit Of a girl unable
to use it or appreciate it. I have made
myself a force throughout Europe. l have
overthrown ministries, averted wars, bull
up great industries. helped the develop
ment OF literature and art-in short,
AVE made amends for the brutality anc
dishonesty of the lady's first husband.
believe his name was Mike.
VII am afraid of this girls dreams
I can control her body. and when she is
awake l can more or less control hel
mind. but cannot control her dreams.
Coquenil was pressing on through
the pages when a harsh voice broke
in upon him, You seem to have ar
interesting book. my friend"
Looking up with a start, M. Pau
saw De Heidelmann-Bruck himself