The Washington herald., 1914-06-05
The Other Sell.
D. JOHN d. BARRY.

By JOHN ID. BARRY.
We al know that other self. Way back in child
hood first met the other self that lives in me- You
doubtless can recall your earliest meeting with the
other self that lives IN you.
AS remember my other self when first became
aware of him he old as he is now. In all the
years he has not changed He must always have been
| old.
| He knew so many things I did not know. At
the very moment when began to realize myself as
a responsible being he spoke to me. He told me
many things did not believe. The reason was that
did not wish to believe them. Some of those things
he tells me now And though I say to myself that
believe them and though try tell them to other
people, find myself acting if did not believe
Even now / do not wish to believe many of these
things.
He looks calmly, patiently. Sometimes l think
that he despises me Sometimes think he feels only
pity.
i long to meet my other self face to face and to
look into his eyes. But whenever try he eludes me
There are moments when / think l can detect
faint smile on his lips. But about that smile am
not sure.
1t is only when am absorbed in other things
that / feel his presence and catch an occasional
glimpse of him. The moment pay heed to him he
fades away
Whenever turn to the things he disapproves he
suddenly appears grave watchful speaking his warn
| ing in low voice. or silently. And whenever he
speaks in silence or in words there is mistaling
his meaning. ...
How we'll l remember the first time he spoke
directly to me. ! was lying on the floor, child
screaming and kicking.
| He said: "You foolish to behave in this way
You are only making yourself unhappy"
| Instantly / stopped. ! lay on the floor and
looked up at the ceiling
Then sharp voice said, voice very different from
that gentle appeal: Nov, you better look out. If
you begin again you'll get good, sound whipping"
Instantly was tempted to break out into scream
ing and kicking. But that gentle presence was look
ing at me. Before it l was ashamed For long
time lay there without moving. Then fell asleep
Such incidents occurred often. Always they
caused me shame before the other self
| Once the other self said: IF you keep on behav-
ing in this way you will grow worse You will hate
every one around you. You will make yourself moro
and more wretched"
We'll, why don't they let me alone?" said wish
ing to argue.
They will do you good if you meet them in the right
way. They will prepare you for the trials that
to come"
feel little frightened What trials?"
The trials that teach people how to live. Now is
the time to learn the first lesson"
| whispered What is that"
The lesson of controlling yourself"
was terrified by the difficulty. "Oh, how am
to learn?"
by practicins every day, by forming the habit
of control"
will you help mes % ..... -.-.-..-
But now my other self was gone.
| Many times my other self came. He saw me do
many things that felt sorry for, while was
doing them. But grew older feared him less
and less. At last grew bold in his presence.
Il don't believe in you," once said to him, with
laugh, and turned away to do as willed and
as thought to be happy
He followed me, silently, without resentment.
For days he did not leave me. Finally gave up.
At that instant realized that had been secretly
miserable the whole time-a on account of him.
/ turned to tell him / was sorry But he was
there no longer.
| Then there was the painful time when decided
to write something he disapproved. The moment
conceived the idea he stood at my side. He said :
Don't"
Now l was angry. "Why ot:" 1T is not true
| idea"
"But it is the kind of idea people like. They will
wish to read about it."
mo matter "And wish to use it" There was
no reply. Il going to use it,
"Your work will be wasted"
| 81 shall try hard to make it beautiful"
What is false cannot be made beautiful
But was obstinate. You will see if can't make
it beautiful" l said with ridiculous pride And
went to my desk.
| Those calm eyes were me. All through the
months that followed, while sat at the desk, those
eyes never left me- One day, greatly discouraged,
l started to put the sheets in the drawer.
Burn them" said the voice. Again rebelled
"It is the only way for you to get back your peace
! of mind
| Then / had the most ignoble of all feelings, pity
for myself.
1--WE been miserable for months"
| As if my other self had not known!
why keep yourself miserable?"
Reluctantly I went to the fireplace With an
effort dropped the sheets into the flames.
When they had disappeared had wonderful
elation. l felt like laughing.
| "Oh!' said as if had escaped from danger.
| For long time stood motonless. Why had I
not needed my other self in the first place. Should
never learn To heed,