The Washington herald., 1915-12-30
The Evil Passions.
~ JOHN ID. BARRY.

a group of Evil Passions floated in the air
mighty figures. as old as mankind and yet touched
looked down on the great city, just beginning te
stir with life. Over the edge of the bay n,aiesti
caliy rose the sun. Like spires, tall ships lifted
their masts toward the sky. From multitude al
towers came the changing of bells and the shrek.
| ing of whistles.
They will be coming soon." said Avarice, with
smile. "See, the anxious shopkeepers are on the
sars and the ferry. They are determined not to to
let any one get ahead of them. But they are moi
gaining much 1t is the men who lie abed till q
o'clock that l am most interested in. They have
the great appetites See that fine house there, on
the avenue! Some one is sleeping in the front
room who will swallow multitude of these small
creatures in minute. will wait for him. He
soon as he steps into his automobile / will take
possession of him and make him do my will Then
will glut him with joy and he will be my slave y
anything that would help me more. You know
how they long to initiate him down there. While
you are at work they will have their eyes on him.
VIII enter their minds and as they see him grow
ing richer and richer they will writhe."
They both laughed Indignantly. If the eyes of
the swarming human beings below could have
looked up and seen those faces there would bave
been CONSERVATION in that city.
Pride yawned with the consciousness of super
iority -! have feeling that am going to spend
profitable day. think | will devote myself
chiefly to the members of the gentler sex. They'll
be easy to work on. | will make them do the
most ridiculous things with the idea that they
are exciting admiration. And will make them
at all. The wife Of that millionaire" Pride went
on with cold glance at Avarice and at Envy,
Il viii do something for her. / will make her so
inflated G by the success OF her husband that she
praise her husband till he thinks ne is ono of the
greatest men in the world and determines to de-
stroy still more people. Really" Pride concluded,
with curl of the lip, you two couldn't do any.
thing without me"
Aren't you going to give me any credit" cried
Hate, with dark frown. eff didn't help you
YOU'D hnd that most of your work counted for
nothing. You don't seem to realize that sickly
creature. Love, is trying to interfere with you all
the time. But for me you would have been de-
stroyed long ago. l am always fighting your bat
Pride turned to Hate with patronizing smile
My friend, appreciate your worth
-, Envy and Avarice also broke out with praise
They declared that it was wonderful the way Hate
worked never losing interest, never getting tired
always ready to leap out and to strive furously
The more they praised, the more ugly Hate
grew and the more malignant. "If didn't keep
on the watch all the time should be destroyed
myself. You don't know what a terrible conspir-
acy there Is against me in the universe. Some of
the very people down there have the impudence
to think that they destroy me. But am Just
as strong now as | ever was"
like to hear you talk like that" said Pride
But you ought to give some credit too Just
as you help US we help you After ALL" Pride ac-
knowledged, with noble condescension you and
are related. We belong to the same family"
"But how about me?" shricked Anger, the pale
lace lined and distorted. the eyes shooting fire.
you can compare with for effectiveness? You
think you can make those people down there your
slaves. You're always trying. But l don't even
have i to to try just whisper to them and they do
1,oI.
absorbed: But if ! just remind of them of
something disagreeabe ! can stir him up inside
II takes very remarkable character to resist me-
A lot OF them just in the mood. Some of then
are waiting for me to come. See that young fel-
low, crossing on the ferry, the giant with big
shoulders and with bloodshot eyes, Re has been
drinking for more than week. Yesterday he
didn't go to work at all. As soon as remind
him OF something that happened a few days ago
he will long to have quarrel with his foreman.
will put ideas into his head about what the fore
ward to quarrel. Then. as soon as the foreman
speaks. he'll be ready. can do anything I like
with him today"
The sun was well up in the sky nov now: , The
;lingng to the crowded street cars In the streets
he people swarmed. It's time for US to get to
work." said Jealousy. Cant you hear them call
selves and comparing their lot with others If l
an get in there first. will leave the doors open
or you"
his morning. / long to hear what they say
ng to one another. will get them to repeat
hings they hear that will do mischief. perhaps with
little change. Keep close to me- Anger"
In a flock the Evil Passions swept through the
.r For a few moments they hovcred the
highest buildings. Then they divided into small
.roups, some going into offices, some into houses.
till others flying up and down the streets. looking
or prey
Many people went on with their tasks. if
hey were unaware that there creatures in
he world like Evil Passions, wholesome. bright
ycd. at peace with themselves and with their
beings. Many others quickly yielded. 1t
vas as if their minds had become possessed And
throughout the city the usual sins were committed,
through jealousy and malice and envy and anger
nd lust and hate. Most of them secret.
)nly few reached the newspapers. These in
luded the murder by young workman OF his
orcnan.
The Young Republics.