The Washington herald., 1914-05-04
The Enemy.
ny JOHN u. BARRY.

A man stood in the center OF the world and
watched his felIow-men He them competing
and struggling and resenting and destroying. To
save himself from destruction he believed that he
too. must enter into the fray. He must tight des-
perateIy and persistently Every man there was
his enemy. He would give no quarter.
Soon the man became known of the
greatest of the fighters. His eyes glistened like
sparks drawn from flint His jaw hardened His
face grew furrowed. Everywhere he went he in
spred fear Wherever he turned his eyes an
enemy When he heard people speak about the
wonder and beauty of love his lips would widen
in grim smile. To him. love was a mockery. de-
ceit mask worn by enmity for the sake of gaining
advantage
When he grew old the stood on pinnacle He
was a success out of the reach OF his enemies He
had them all at his feet. They could not hurt him
now And he did not feel safe. There was no
knowing what they might try do to him in their
jealousy and their hate. 1t was a JOY to him to
see his possessions multiplying by drawing the
powers of his enemies. his slaves; but it was also
gain. The more he accumulated the he was
afraid lie began to wonder why he suffered so
much and why he lonely. They must be to
blame They were working against him. destroying
his peace of mind.
He became suspicious of the very people that
They, too were his enemies He said to himself
that he had been too considerable. He resolved to
keep close watch -on them. fe would make them
see that without him. they would starve. But the
more severe he was, the worse they behaved Some
OF them abandoned him. Others treated him with
covert resentment. A few. however. went on fiat
tering. Those he feared They the most
dangerous enemies He realized the bitterness of
living in atmosphere OF ill-wi And yet. he
sured himself there nothing he could do lie
could change human nature. But he could fight
to the end. He could give hate for hate
Gradually people began to talk about the
trices OF the man. Some OF them declared that
he was growing mad. Others said that he was reap
ing he had A few pitied the lonely figure.
living apart from his fellows, drawing closer and
closer within himself blind his opportunities for
service and for happiness Occasionally would
approach him and suggest the doing OF generous
for the benefit OF mankind. He too would be
treated as an enemy. You are all my enemies" the
cried out one day. as he drove one OF these
visitors from his door. You care nothing about
me You my money. But you shan't have it
| shall keep it to spite YOU. With anguish he re-
fected that he could not carry the money with him
TO the grave But so long he remained earth,
it should be his alone
The day when the man could not endure
having any about him. lie preferred living
alone living with enemies. In his great house
he roamed like an imprisoned animal. The authori-
ties nterfered They sent doctors make an exam
nation. The furious. These doctors were
his enemies. Every one in the world his
enemy. The doctors listened quietly and spoke
soothing words The man grew more angry. They
could not deceive him. He knew what they were
doing They trying to get his money like al
the Others. But he had fought all his life and he
would fight to the end. When some officers were
called into the and were told to seize him. he
showed his marvellous strength by knocking them
down and making his escape lie ran to- the top
OF the house and locked himself into a room Now
they could reach him II they were to break
down the door. he would leap out Of the window
lie stood there painting and listening for the sound OF
steps There long silence. Then he looked
quickly around He felt il the were pcopled
with enemies His eyes fell upon mirror hanging
IN the opposite wall He saw there figure staring
at him with fury and hate that seemed t" express
all the enmity turned against HIM in the course OF
his life So have at last. he said. and
ne the figure speaking the words He |
N alked forward >tealthy. the cncmy walking for
ward in the same way and with the number |
If steps II he could only give his enemy deadly
,low he felt that he should he free He drew long
breath and gathered all his strength and plunged for
ward.
A few moments later they reached him lying
m the floor. broken and bleeding with a look in
lis glazed eyes strangely like triumph The mirror
,tood there. in the terrible silence of inanimatc
hings. splintcred. They made a quick examination.
md they found they too late to give any help.
They shook their heads pityngIy For few mo-
nents they stood without speaking What miscr-
ble life" said one "FIc might have done so much
or the world" And another said: "EIe was his
,wn enemy"