The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-05-08
The Crime.
ny. JOHN d. BARRY.

NY, JOHN ID. BARRY.
A man committed crime No one knew about i
but himself. The thought of it was continual tor
men.. 1t made him feel unworthy of living amoni
his fellow-men Death would have been welcome Blu
he felt that he was unfit to die. For long time h
struggled with the temptation to kill himself. He wa
restrained by the dread of being coward and of com
hitting another crime. Besides how could he know
that in death there would be escape? Had not hi
crime become a part of him? Wherever his spiri
went, would not the crime CO. too? ......
At last the man made up his mind that there wa
nothing for him to do but to live. Now, if he could
he must justify his life. He must place it at the serv
ice of his feowbeings In this kind of effort alon,
could he forget himself And in forgetting himself
he would forget his crime Each day he strove Al
the end however the crime would rise up before him
II am here" it would seem to say. To avoid meet
ing it. the man would work in the evening He would
go to bed exhausted that he would fall asleep al
once. The next morning, however, he would find hi.
crime waiting. 81 am here" He would dress quickly
and begin to strive again.
Gradually, it dawned upon the man that there
were others like himself haunted with the memory
of the evil they had DONE walking the earth with
eyes OF He began to look for them Often he
recognized them at sight Whenever he could he
would give them help. Son. etimes they would show
resentment fear. Usually, however, they were
grateful One said: 1T is wonderful that you should
understand" He replied, Perhaps have something
OH my own soul" The other looked frightened and
drew away.
Presently the world began to notice the man. 1t
gave him credit. 1t called him great spirit. 1t Of
fered him honor. But he refused. He feared danger
He might be tempted again and yield. For himself
he must take nothing. He must always give. But
when he made this decision he grieved. Like other
men, he loved honor. After ALL perhaps it would be
safe. There were others that had done wrong. At
that instant his crime stood before him. Il here
"And will you always be here" the asked.
Always the crime replied.
So the man turned from honor and went on with
his work. Each day greater demands were made on
him. He had scarcely a moment to think of himself
1t only in the morning. when he woke that he
met the crime. Then he would be spurred to fresh
effort.
People close to him that he aging; his
lace growing finer. too, more calm and spiritual
There a strange look in his eyes. Some of them
explained by saying that he suffered for others for
what they endured through the injustice of the
world. No one knew the real explanation Some OF
them used to wonder how after leading SO fine life
far from evil he should have much understanding
into the feelings of the greatest sinner And
he wants to punish. He says that be sinner
is punishment enough. How can he know"
One OF them ventured to repeat these remarks to
him. His face flushed He turned away
The time came when the man fell in the midst OF
his work He had worn himself out. They carried
MIN home. They placed him the bed where each
morning face to face. he had met his crime
They told him he dying.
He smiled family AT last" he said.
They asked him if there was anything he wished
He replied: Il should like to rest"
They decided to leave him alone for while draw
ng down the shades that the might be dark The
moment they closed the door behind them the crime
appeared, longer menacing but radiant presence
4 am here
The opened his eyes, looking with astonisi-
nent at the figure
What has happened" he asked
You have fulfilled your life"
But my crime-l do not see it
81 your crime Have YOU not learned TO know
ne through all these years: Do you not recognize
ny voice."
Your voice recognized But your presence has
hanged What has changed you?"
You have changed me. You have turned my
:slness into beauty. You have made me the means
If your redemption. From an enemy you have con-
'erted me into friend
The man drew long breath. "Oh, | understand
low. But it is who ought to thank YOU You have
aved me"
The presence disappeared The arms dropped The
nan lay still.
When they found him there they said: HE has
lad the kind of death he would have wished" !
They SDotc oil UonderfrI 10