The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-14
CHAPTER XIII
Success and Peace

taken aDack by the Dland query. Out
side there waited for him a motor car
with more upholstery than this whole
room contained. He had just driven
from one Of New York's residential
/ show places. He owned mines that
went deep into the ground and sky
| scrapers that lowered into the air.
| With one flourish he could write a
check N seven figures And this man
had asked him what wealth had
| bought for him!
I've one of the finest houses in
| New York" he said at last.
/ rs it any more comfortable than
/ this?" Daniel challenged.
/ I've got half a dozen cars" went
+ on Goodkind.
I've two legs, and I walk, and
keep WE'LL returned Daniel.
I've twenty servants"
Don't tell me you enjoy THAR
And. what's most important of
ALL" said Goodkind emphatically, I'm
a success"
Daniel fixed penetrating eyes upon
him.
Are your" he asked earnestly.
Goodkind's answer was a scornful
mutter.
Are you?" Daniel queried again.
What is success? Money! Yes, that
is what our civilization tells us.
Money! But where has that brought
US? Only to the elevation Of the UNI
/ fit-the merely shrewd and predatory.
. All around US we see men Of wealth
/ who have nothing else-neither health,
nor happiness. nor love nor respect
/ Men who can get no joy out Of books.
+ or pictures, or music, or even them
/ selves. Tired, worried men. who are
/ afraid to quit because they nave no
/ resource except to make money
money with which to buy vulgar ex-
element for their own debased souls"
He paused for a moment.
why. Mr.. Goodkind. I have an in
come that you wouldn't suggest to
your bookkeeper. But. have peace,
and health. and friends. and time TO
read and think, and dream, and help.
/ Which of US is the rich man."
But if everybody lived your way"
Goodkind protested feebly. what
would become Of the worlds work."
Living that way is my contribu-
ton to the worlds work" said Daniel
Another mans might be selling
yhoes, or writing plays, or digging
bitches. Doing his job doesn't prevent
any man from doing his bit From
every man according to his ability, to
every man according to his needs.
And every man who gives his best
must find his happiness"
I'm afraid there wouldn't be much
progress-living your way" said the
other unconvinced.
Daniel turned on him
That's the second time you've spo-
ken OF my way. 1t isn't my way
It's the sum total Of all that has been
/ learned and taught You and Jerry
and the others have called me eccen-
trio, and a fool. because I'm trying
to walk path trod hard by countless
/ feet"
/ He rose and drew closer
Was Christ eccentricI Was Con-
fucius q fool? And how about Buddha
and Mohammed? What Of St. Der.
nard, and st. Teresa, and st. Francis
Of Assisi-of Plato, and Zeno, and
/ Lincoln, and Emerson. and Florence
/ Nightingale, and Father Damien, and
! Octavia Hill, and all the saints and
/ scientists, and poets and philosophers,
who have lived and died in complete
/ forgetfulness Of self? Were they fools.
7 or were they wise men and women
who had found the way to peace and
happiness? Were they failures, or
were they the great successes of all
Time and Eternity?"
God knows said Goodkind, per.
picked.
The door opened. Slowly a bent
figure made its way into the room
/ One might have found it hard to
recognize Jerry in the man. Deaths
slow approach was writton in his
oeeply-lined face. He dragged his legs
with difficulty. But his eyes still bore
n certain cruel alertness.
You've been the devil Of a time, f"
he said petulantly, turning to his
father What's been keeping you?"
Mr.. Gilchrtst," explained the elder
/ Goodkind
Hello, Gilchrist," Jerry said crisply
to the figure that came toward him.
How are you, Jerry?" responded
Gilchrist cheerily.
Not so damned WELL" said the
other, cringing a bit. But I'll be all
right in the spring. Cares looking
after me. Clare's good sport. What
1 need now's a run down to Palm
Beach" He looked around the room
| patronizingly. 80 you're reduced to
this. are your"
Yes" said Daniel, smiling.
Going to take my job?"
No" said GiIchrist.
Why not?"
Your father understands" said
| Gilchrist.
"Yes-so do l." Jerry sneered.
Didn't I always say you were a nut.
| That's it, a nut" And his derisive
laughter turned into a paroxysm of
coughing that almost toppled him.
Come. Jerry" said his father.
starting for the door. It opened be-
fore he reached it and Mary Mar
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