Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-16
INTERVIEW
WITH A VERY SICK DEVIL
By SIMEON STRUNSKY


down. then democracy goes. Let me remind
you that / am the original democrat. 1
stand for equality"
'"To be sure" I said "I recall now that
the ingenious Mr.. Don Marquis recently de-
veoped the thesis that the universe is ruled
by an autocrat, and that you, Satan, are the
leader of the Opposition"
Don Marqus?' he said.
THE name must be familiar" ! replied.
Because. you know, when he isn't writing
about his two-year-old kid, he writes about
you"
But like all inyalids. my host was ex-
tremey self-centered
II am democrat in another way. 1t is 7.
the Demon Rum. that levels all ranks. II is
| that can take the poor hobo and lift him.
temporarily to the throne of kings and the
bosom of the prophets | am the source of
inspiration. make poets and painters. Re-
member the Mermaid Tavern and good old
VIII from Warwickshire"
''fes, and poor Marlowe." replied. escap-
ing for the moment from my journalistic
equipoise.
"A second-rater who couldn't stand his
liquor" he sneered. but recovered himself
we VIII not quarrel. Why. man. what bet
ter do you ask than this? The priests them
selves cannot carry on their offices without
me. Think of the sacred soma of the Hin
dus, of the wine that was poured I'm the Tenn
pie at Jerusalem. DO you know what they
say ABOUT me may come true? If my condi-
ton doesn't show change for the better,
am seriously thinking of turning monk"
ana why?' / said. falling into the trap
HpEcAUsE the Federal amendment ex-
ID empts wine for religious purposes"
And then. feeling much better over his own
little joke: Look at what that great demo-
crat, q. H. Chesterton. says about me. What
VIII happen to convivaity. to fraternity?
You remember Chesterton asking whether
| will
to half'a pound of cheese. Imagine. / saw.
Chesterton without me. You ought to know,
He is in your line of business"
1t was not a bad point
DO you think" said that if I drank
l could learn to write like Chesterton?"
MY dear fellow, haven't the slightest
doubt on the subject" he replied heartily
Though, of course, you'd have to take a
good deal. But that isn't the point either
What ! meant was this: Why have thew nrt
me out of business in the South? Because
they want to keep me away from the negroes
The dominant whites feel they themselves
VIII manaseIsomehow-need explain?
had to confess it was point
"And finally. my dear Sinbad. there is the
question of what are you going to put in nv
place. You will agree that we cannot be
merely destructive. We must have a moral
equivalent for-well, me-"
80 now it's William James," said
II have been reading" ne replied what
else Is there to do with this beastly cold
You won't deny have supplied the human
race with certain amount OF exhlaration.
Well. then?"
But there had him.
That's just it," shouted, waving nv
notebook at him. 'The war has done for Vol,
because the war has given us an equivalent
"a moral equivalent: because you stand in
the way. old chap. You might as well make
up your mind and say good-by"
He threw up his hands and the tears-I
assume they were tears though It might
have been that catarrh In the head--streamed
down his cheeks.
'Kamerad. Kamerad," he pleaded. Don't
rub II IN. Don't know it?" But at that
moment the eminently attractive trained
nurse >came In with telegram. Ny host
took just one glance and reveal d the mosr
remarkable instance Of rapid convalesce 80
on record. =
Its from Albany" he shouted "s6 TO "a
In my favor. or else moral equivalent,
you mean?'
"air. whitman's reelection he exulted.
'SINBAD.