The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1917-10-15
PLAIN TALKS hAp .Assn:

In the small Western city that !
have lately been visiting as passed
along the street ! happened 10 notice
In a shop window a rather strikins
portrait. An old man. with Jewish
cast of features and dressed In what
looked like an ancient robe. stood
Caring out into space. In his bear
ing and In his eyes there was q kind
Of nobility. He seemed like q pro-
phet OF old. While / was wondering
who he could be noticed above the
portrait q printed card saying that
he had been a familiar character in
this place a quarter Of century be-
fore: that he had come there from no
one knew where that be was cup
posed to be expiating some imaginary
or real ofense against God. and that
he had led a strange life and had
won respect for the austerity and the
gentleness Of his character.
Naturally was interested. I made
inquiries. i found that there were
many persons who remembered the
man. One that met told me some
thing of the story. Whether there
had been attempted expiation he did
not know or care. What he did know
was the man had made a sensation
in the town BIZ the costume repro
duced in the painting. supposed to
have been modelled after the kind
of dress worn by Christ. On his feet
he wore sandals made Of the same
materials. And nothing else he wore,
even in the coolest days Of winter.
His living he earned by following
Christs trade of carpenter. Those
who worked with him said he was
a good workman, conscientious In
great things and small. never angry.
always cheerful.
About the street he went with a
smile on his face. He never sought
any ones acquaintance. But II any
one sought his he was responsive.
Though he had decided views in re-
gard TO religion. he would never ar
que about them. He evidently pre-
ferred TO let them speak through his
life. He had probably learned that
arguing about such things created
confusion worse COMPOUNDED
Every morning OF the year he bath
ed in the river. even on those winter
DAYS when he had to break through
the ice. Without drying himself with
towels he would put on his robes,
walk rapidly to his work or to his
home, and soon he would be glow
ing like a live coal"
once as he was passing in a storm
OF sleet from the river TO his work
rich townsman that knew and liked
him, driving in carriage. stopped
and urged him to come in and wrap
himself UP In blankets. He declined
politely and went on his way.
When he was nearly 20 he said that
he had received a divine call 70 fast
till he should be told TO eat The
town was stirred by the report. A
committee OF citizens, including
medical man of repute, was appoint
ed 90 watch him For forty-one days
he ate nothing and he took no mois-
ture save what he absorbed from a
wet napkin. He was led back TO vigor
by a teaspoonful of broth given once
every half hour for several days.
He is dead now, that breaker OF
the conventions, and his townspeo-
pie are speaking OF him with pride.
They feel there is commendable In
his being so different from them
selves Doubtless they are right
Some Of these that knew him show
that they feel important when they
mention the fact. Unconsciously
they betray a dissatisfaction with
the kind OF life they lead. They rec
ognize that. somehow. he was try
ing TO reach out for something bet
ter.
Now. what seems to me most strik-