The Washington herald., 1916-02-27
The Pursuit.
NJ JOHN ID. HARRY.

BY JOHN D. BARRY.
man looked over his gifts and decided that
he ought to be happy. He was young and he was
clever and he had been well trained and people
said that he was interesting and attractive. The
world opened out before his Imagination, with the
promise of abundant reward. All he had to do was
Ito choose.
Gradually the felt disappointed. So many
things that he reached out for, on being secured,
seemed hardly worth while. And so many people
did not appreciate him at his true worth. The
thought of their opinion caused him good deal
OF irritation and sadness. Surely life must have
more to offer in the way of happiness. Perhaps he
had been looking for it in the wrong places So
he began to search more carefully. There were
moments when he was almost sure he had found
just what he wanted. But he would see it turning
into mockery. Often it seemed to laugh in his
face. At last he decided that there was no such
him. So the only thing to do, as resolute char
aeter, was to put it out of his mind.
With energy the man set to work. But he
found the task difficult. Each day. at least once,
he would be confronted with being that seemed
to rise out Of the nnermost recesses of his con-
"And you know what you owe me-" Always the
man would make the same reply: ayes know
who you are. / wish l didn't know. I wish |
could forget you. I cannot give you what you
ask. You must understand how hard have looked
for it. Can't you be satisfied" Then the being
would disappear and leave the man depressed tor
a long time.
tlv ~. h>,o he~ tbe
By day and even by night, in Dreams it would
! come back, with its demand for appreciation. 1t
grew more despairing-lookins. more anaemic and
flabby. The man felt such shame of it that he
feared people would it as he did and recognize
his relation to it and show for him the contempt
he felt for himself. What shall do?" he thought
"If this miserable object gets possession of me
with its sckly demands l shall perish. / shall be
even worse than dead. l shall be dead, while
| | seem to be alive"
| Then it occurred to the to inquire into
those moments when he was not thinking of him
self at ALL when he not bothering his head
about what people thought of him, when he was
absorbed in work not in any way relates TO him
self, when he spending himself in worthwhile
endeavor. Now he had clew. 1t might lead him
to the place where he could close the doors that
fellow. At any rate the experiment was worth
trying.
| For several weeks the man worked hard. But
suddenly, Unexpectedly. that presence would ap-
pear. like wrath, whining about its claims. ~
want appreciation" it would cry. why don't you
get it for me3 It's the only thing that bring
me happiness" Instantly the man would turn away
and the presence would fade into nothingness. The
sight of it was almost loath some to him now
'Why has it taken so long to how weak
and ptfu this pleading for happiness isl" he asked
himself one day. There are many things in the
world that more important, things that most
people don't seem to think Of at all"
| With practice the man found it easier to &c,
rid of his tormentor. When it was that he was in
exorabe it came less often. At last it ceased to
come altogether. The man did not think about it
He did not even rel oce in its disappearance. He
was TOO absorbed in the common interests and
duties that brought him close to the heart Of his
common neighbors There he discovering un
expected eompensations. They were changing TO,
him the aspect of the world. And they were max
ing the world bigger. incidentally, they were
changing him. But this change the least i'm,
portant Of all in his eyes
One day, in an interval Of reflection, the man
was suddenly confronted with being that rose ou
of the nnermost depths OF his consciousness,
radiant presence. he sat up amazed. ihe presence
smiled into his face. The man smiled back. Don
you know me?' the presence asked.
| at seems to me that have seen some one like
you before" he said, "but l can't be sure. Who
are you"
The presence burst into laughter. why, l an
yourself Don't you recognize me?'
1ntently the man looked at the features. as
it possible that you the creature who used tc
torment all the timer
i The presence laughed and laughed. mo. I'm
the creature that you used to torment. I'm moi
complaining. You've made me we'll again. Youv.
made me happy"
How have made you happy" the man asked
still bewildered
I'm the usual way, Of course Don't you know
after finding il out? You are funny one"
And as the presence went on laughing, the mar
sat absorbed Then what he had reached was hap
pness! 1t was different from what he had though
LIT would be, so much more satisfying, mucl
deeper and SO much wider, related somehow to tn,
whole universe. To his surprise he sighed heavily
IL think about myself too much" he said and b,