CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
Cornell University Library 
 PS 3521.U14M6 
 
 Mr. Man 
 
 3 1924 021 753 961 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924021753961 
 
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 \HxMan 
 
 Dictor dc Kubiniji 
 
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 -♦♦••- 
 
 NEW mm. 1920 
 
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Copyright, 1920 
 Victor de Kubinyi. 
 
 All Rights Reserved 
 
To THE Memory of 
 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 
 
"It is simply common sense to recog- 
 nize that there is the mdest inequal- 
 ity of service, and that therefore 
 there mmst 6e a reasonably wide in- 
 equality of reward, if our society is 
 to rest upon the iasis of justice and 
 wisdom." 
 
 (T. R.) 
 
0x. iWan 
 
DEDICATION 
 
 ^ UMAN nature is eminently good. It was 
 meant to be so and has kept being good 
 throughout the ages and was, perhaps, at its 
 H best during its recent period of madness. 
 This may seem a paradoxical statement, yet 
 it is true. 
 
 Man was made to the image and likeness of God. 
 The foremost inborn qualities of human nature, therefor, 
 are patience, faith and love. Considering, however, that 
 man is not purely divine, allowance must be made — and 
 a very generous one — for the frailty of the human race. 
 Life, at its best, is a desperate fight for the survival of 
 the fittest, waged between the inborn divine spark and the 
 likewise inborn animal instinct respectively. Under con- 
 ditions called normal, when everything goes smoothly, the 
 inborn divine spark is in danger of being dimmed by the 
 animal instinct ; — resistance being at an ebb, the foremost 
 inborn qualities of human nature, patience, faith and love 
 are being confronted with some ugly and very easily ac- 
 quired habits, among which greed, hatred and lust are the 
 most predominant. Laziness, both physical and mental, is 
 being fostered by these ugly habits. And money, that 
 green-eyed monster, is an adept in covering these habits 
 with the cloak of respectability. Thus, it happened that as 
 
12 MR. MAN 
 
 there was too much money too easily got the human race, 
 after a more or less honest struggle lasting for nineteen 
 centuries, found itself in a muddle. Genral confusion 
 prevailed and seemed to threaten with permanent domina- 
 tion. Patience, faith, love, greed, hatred and lust got all 
 mixed up and the cunning mischiefmaker, money, had a 
 good joke on the human race. The joke, however, went a 
 bit too far. The general confusion, in turn, led to chaos, 
 which again resulted in a pandemonium and thus came 
 the inevitable : WAR. Hell itself had to be let loose to 
 bring man to his senses and real hell it was. But it was 
 well worth it, just as it would be a good thing if one were 
 permitted to get a good taste of real hell, that of fire and 
 brimstone, in order to get a first-hand lesson of the dan- 
 gers of conceit and thus have an inducement to be- 
 have. 
 
 The world has paid dearly. Man went through a ter- 
 rible trial. It almost seemed beyond endurance. Yet the 
 race prevailed, its inborn good qualities conquered the 
 likewise inborn bad habits and the latter are being held in 
 check, let us hope for many generations to come. The 
 fittest has survived, the divine spark has won. Flesh 
 once more has become what it was originally intended to 
 be : the handmaid of soul. 
 
 In this spirit I lovingly dedicate this book to the 
 thinking youth of Great America. 
 
 Vivant, crescant, floreant! 
 
 Victor de Kubinyi. 
 
OUR HERO 
 
 I HAT is a "hero"? 
 
 A rather tickhsh question this. 
 Recently there was abroad a variety of 
 definitions. Through a rather queer coinci- 
 cidence — or was it fate ? — the chief require- 
 ment of a hero seemed to be physical strength. There 
 were pugilists and ball players and high divers and a 
 score of others who became the victims of hero-worship. 
 Not so much because they sought this distinction, but 
 chiefly because the restless world was bound to have 
 heroes. 
 
 There were others too, for instance evangelists of the 
 'better than thou' variety, who led people to believe that 
 they had a sort of first mortgage on salvation. And as 
 the world grew more restless, it succumbed to these also. 
 Again there was another variety which perhaps never 
 dreamed of claiming hero-worship but got its share 
 thrust upon it, willy-nilly. Self-made men they were 
 called. This, of course, was a misnomer as it was then 
 in may cases applied, for the mere fact of turning from 
 a poor homeless urchin into a captain of high finance or 
 industry was more than amply sufficient to put these self- 
 made men upon the pedestal of adulation, and so it hap- 
 pened quite often that pigmies, idiots with more luck than 
 
14 MR. MAN 
 
 brains and not infrequently outright mountebanks and 
 crooks were occupying boxes in the amphitheatre of the 
 world, while many a really and truly self-made man was 
 pushed onto the grand stand. And many of the latter, 
 indeed, preferred this place of oblivion to that of prom- 
 inence, for they did not like the idea of being mixed up 
 with some of their self-styled 'fellows' of doubtful ante- 
 cedents. 
 
 Then something happened. An unexpected, or at 
 least un-looked-for snatch turned the tide. A terrific 
 storm swept the world and threatened to tear out well or- 
 dered, civilized life roots and all. * * * And after a 
 little while we heard the whistles blow and hurried to 
 meet our boys in khaki. We called them "our heroes" 
 and heroes they were, for they risked everything in order 
 to gain nothing for themselves. America won the Great 
 World War, thus assuming a task, the wonderful mag- 
 nitude of which could be equalled only by its complicity. 
 Every man, woman and child, who answered America's 
 call was duly entitled to be called a hero. 
 
 To which of the above varieties of heroes then be- 
 longs Mr. Man? 
 
 To neither. He is but a plain citizen who silently 
 tried to do his level best by God and by his fellow men. 
 
 Mr. Man is just the centre of this story. Such char- 
 acters are also called heroes but he is far too modest to 
 claim any title of distinction so we shall not disturb him 
 in his incognito. 
 
 There is nothing extraordinary about Mr. Man. He 
 
MR. MAN 15 
 
 used his brains to the best of his ability and did all that 
 he was called upon to do as well as he knew how. A 
 quiet unassuming person he was, indeed, and large was 
 the number of his friends and relatives. He was one of 
 the nearly one hundred million who helped reconstruct 
 life. Many were the heartaches and not few the disap- 
 pointments that fell to his lot. Likewise, numerous were 
 the encouragements he had met with. To his praise be 
 it said — although he hates to be praised — he stood firm 
 and, of course, not without strenuous and continued ef- 
 forts on his part, he managed to keep a level head. 
 Nothing should make him lose faith and nothing should 
 let him get conceited. With such a sane program how 
 could he help but succeed. 
 
 Some details about his personal history? 
 
 Knowing Mr. Man and his sturdy modesty, we should 
 not like to dwell upon personalities. So just let us say 
 this much ; He was born in the United States of America. 
 Born to be a free man. It cost him many hard knocks 
 to realize the real meaning of the greatest of all accom- 
 plishment, that of being free and knowing it. He took 
 all the knocks cheerfully and started out with firm de- 
 termination to assert his right to freedom and to share it 
 with his fellow men of every creed and nationality. A 
 busy person he was. He could be found in business, on 
 the highways, in the pulpit, behind the counter and in the 
 factories and shops. In fact there was no profession or 
 occupation in which one would not meet him. He was 
 very busy and while occupying himself from the wee 
 
16 MR. MAN 
 
 small hours of the morning until late after sundown, he 
 always kept his eyes open. He was possessed with a 
 tremendous amount of ambition. In fact he was willing 
 and ready to do everything. No wonder that somehow 
 he drifted into the habit of minding everybody's business, 
 consequently, sometimes neglecting his own. Yet, he 
 meant well. This was his luck. For as long as one 
 means well and keeps his eyes open he is bound to come 
 out on top. 
 
 It did not take Mr. Man too long to find out that the 
 greatest and by far the hardest task is that of finding 
 one's self. The magnitude of this enterprise and par- 
 ticularly the numerous and very intricate difficulties pre- 
 senting themselves in this connection appealed to his am- 
 bition, and being a man who was born good and wanted 
 to stay good he was bound to succeed. So he did. What 
 is more, he did not stingily keep the hard earned fruits of 
 his success to himself, but let all the world share them 
 with the largeness of his heart. A very good plan, for 
 the more he gave the more there was left for him. He 
 was the Great Lover in the truest and before his time un- 
 known sense of the word. He loved the world. How, 
 then, could the world help loving him in turn ? 
 
 And now let him tell his own story. 
 
THE STORY BEGINS 
 
 F it is true that the United States has the 
 rightful claim to be called God's own coun- 
 try then my particular home should be 
 called a piece of Heaven. At least I think 
 that is what it was according to my recollec- 
 
 tions. 
 
 Above us the sky with its ever twinkling stars. To 
 the east mountains that reminded me of watchful sen- 
 tinels. Not that I then had the least idea what a sen- 
 tinel really was, but one gets notions by way of intuition 
 or hallucination, and it seems that I was not the only one 
 who felt that way for all around our neighborhood these 
 mountains were just called the "Old Guard." And they 
 really seemed to act as such, with their impenetrable 
 forests always maintaining their silent dignity. To the 
 west we were bordered by a beautiful lake. We called 
 it "The Waves." You see, this was the only water most 
 of us ever saw or knew of and it signified to us what the 
 ocean would mean to sea-faring people. Our lake was 
 navigable too. Once in a great while a small vessel 
 brought merchandise from far countries. Our enter- 
 prising grocer-postmaster managed to get in touch with 
 a large mid-western mail-order house, and as a side line 
 
18 MR. MAN 
 
 he got all sorts of things that nobody wanted yet every- 
 body bought. To the south a beautiful forest of some 
 hundred acres led into the plains. To the north we were 
 edged in between small farms. We called them ranches 
 because this sounded better, but in reality they were only 
 small truck farms. 
 
 I remember having often heard my father say that God 
 must have been in a holiday-mood when He created our 
 country. I mean my particular home, for this was our 
 country at large as well. We knew of nothing else be- 
 yond it as the nearest railroad station was some twenty 
 miles away and not easy of access. 
 
 Hopeview was the name of our town. In reality it 
 was but a village, and a pretty small one too, its entire 
 populace numbering some three hundred souls. We 
 somehow liked big words. I think our grocer-postmaster. 
 Uncle Jake, was responsible for that. "Unk," as he was 
 generally called, was a wise man of wide experience and 
 as we thought, of great knowledge. Years ago he lived in 
 a city of some ten thousand inhabitants not far from Chi- 
 cago. That must have been many years ago, for Unk 
 was well nigh seventy. We heard him tell our parents 
 about his wonderful experiences. 
 
 "Those poor city fellows, however, have no advantage 
 over us," he would say. "I will admit they had a brick 
 school with four teachers in it, and two churches they had 
 with regular ministers. Mind you, occasionally they got 
 a circus too. But what is all their glory compared with 
 our country. Look at these mountains yonder ! Like so 
 
MR. MAN 19 
 
 many knights serving as our guard of honor. See that 
 lake ? It's fit for the angels to bathe in. Those beautiful 
 trees seem to me as so many spires of a cathedral. And 
 the plains there remind me of the pastures of heaven on 
 which God's own sheep are grazing." 
 
 He spoke a good English, Unk did. Where he got it, 
 no one seemed to know. Just as it was a mystery where 
 he came from. If I remember rightly, I heard it once 
 said that Unk had seen better days and that the fever of 
 adventure had brought him to the spot where Hopeview 
 had grown up in search of gold, and that he got stranded 
 and having nothing else to do, started our town. The 
 fact that he was everybody's Unk seemed to bear him out 
 on these things which were never talked about openly but 
 occasionally whispered. Be it as it may, we were mighty 
 glad to have our Unk. He was our grocer, judge, post- 
 master, mayor, walking encyclopedia, even doctor in 
 some emergencies. 
 
 Hopeview had but one man who might have been 
 Unk's rival had he cared for such honors. Father was 
 the one. He stood over six feet in his stockings, had a 
 clear cut, open face and also spoke a good English. He 
 called it "American." I think if he had been a famous 
 stranger instead of being my father, I could not have ad- 
 mired him more, if he would only have parted with his 
 mustache. And what a mustache it was ! It hung down 
 a goodly six inches on each side of his mouth. His name 
 is immaterial, but I know he was of Scotch-Irish descent 
 and he spoke and acted as if he owned the countryside. 
 
20 MR. MAN 
 
 Not that he was conceited. Heaven forbid! He just 
 loved every inch of it so much that he thought it all be- 
 longed to him. As a rule father was very reticent. He 
 might have had a secret he was brooding over. Just as 
 like as not. He seldom spoke, and used short, abrupt 
 sentences. I thought he was pretending at severity. 
 Some people were afraid of him because of his voice and 
 his looks. He looked straight into everyone's eyes. In 
 fact he seemed to look right through you. And his voice 
 was loud, commanding, but there was something silvery 
 in it that made me love it. I said father was reticent. 
 Once opened up, however, he would talk for an hour at 
 a stretch. 
 
 "Well, friends, you watch and see. Our country will 
 get on the map yet and with a splash, too." Of course 
 he meant Hopeview, you would think. He did and then 
 again he did not. He loved Hopeview but he also loved 
 the United States, for he was a true dreamer. Father 
 had a fairly good smattering of history. He knew of 
 George Washington having once crossed the Delaware 
 and that Lincoln was born in a log cabin and that the 
 negroes are human beings. 
 
 This seemed to him sufficient to hold out most san- 
 guine hopes for America. 
 
 "There just is no country in this wide world that 
 could compare with ours, not by a long shot. There is 
 but one D. C. (He always referred to George Washing- 
 ton with these initials, meaning "Daddy of the Coun- 
 try") and no other country could produce an Abe, mean- 
 
MR. MAN 21 
 
 ing Lincoln, either, and never will. You just wait and 
 see what is going to happen." 
 
 Of course, he had no more idea of what was going to 
 happen than anyone else but it seems there was an un- 
 dercurrent of strange forebodings abroad which even 
 reached Hopeview. 
 
 Mother was a darling. Just that. Always even tem- 
 pered, there always was a smile playing around the cor- 
 ners of her delicately cut mouth and when the house- 
 work was the most arduous she always sang. 
 
 "Vole, vole, petite mouche . . . . " 
 Whenever we heard this little French ditty we knew 
 mother was tired. Why did she sing in French? Why, 
 she was of French parentage and birth. Her parents 
 lived in the Argonne section. As a young orphan she 
 sailed for America. She met father on the trip over, and 
 they were married at the Irish Immigrants' home in 
 New York. And our family represented a number of 
 nationalities. We were Americans, though. Perhaps, 
 including father, we did not fully realize this, but we felt 
 it. And had we been able to put our premonitions into 
 words, we no doubt would have said, that no matter 
 where we originated, we intended to be Americans first 
 and last, because the world needs America and we want to 
 serve the world by being loyal to our adopted country, or 
 something to that effect. 
 
 By the way, the United States was my real country, as 
 I was born here, right in Hopeview. So were my sisters, 
 Rosalie and Elizabeth, Beth for short. Johnnie, my little 
 
22 MR. MAN 
 
 brother died very young. He was suddenly taken ill. 
 Mother ran for Unk, who came all out of breath ; looking 
 down into Johnnie's throat, he solemnly declared it was 
 diphtheria. No one seemed to know what it was and it 
 did not make much difference anyway, for little brother 
 died after a few days. He had small pox. We buried 
 him out in the forest, alongside of the other residents of 
 Hopeview who have gone before him. 
 
 We had a school on Main Street with a real teacher. 
 Miss Goodwin was Unk's partner and assistant. They 
 said she must have come with Unk and I think she was 
 his wife. Youg Ben, our night watchman, once said he 
 heard his father. Old Ben, say that Unk's partner is real- 
 ly his wife, that she came from a very fine family and 
 that they had eloped, and now, that their plans had not 
 materialized they wanted to be forgotten by the world. 
 At any rate. Miss Goodwin who was well over forty but 
 spry and vivacious, frequently told us in so many words 
 that to be a citizen of the free republic of the United 
 States was the greatest privilege any human being could 
 crave for. Once, on the fourth of July, she gave us a 
 regular speech on the greatness of our patriots. Sister 
 Beth, inclined to be a little forward interrupted her. 
 
 "Teacher, you talk as if America was the only coun- 
 try that could boast of great men. How about Napo- 
 leon?" 
 
 Miss Goodwin never even frowned, nor did she repri- 
 mand Beth. She simply said : "Well, Beth, Napoleon was 
 all right but he should have been an American citizen." 
 
MR. MAN 23 
 
 Beth, of course, did not know what to make of it, 
 and sat down rather confusedly. At supper father usual- 
 ly asked us what happened in school. Beth told the story. 
 Mother gave Beth one of her sweetest smiles, as if she 
 would indicate her approval, for it was from the little 
 stories told by her that we knew of Napoleon and rather 
 grew to like him. She told us how Napoleon once saved 
 a sentinel who fell asleep on his post from being shot by 
 taking his place himself. And many other little stories 
 which she in turn had heard from her parents. Father 
 cleared his throat, filled his pipe and put it on the table. 
 I poked Rosie under the table and we exchanged a glance 
 of understanding. We knew what we knew. 
 
 Whenever father cleared his throat and filled his pipe 
 just to put it on the table we knew he was going to say 
 something. 
 
 "I think Miss Goodwin is getting rusty," with a 
 friendly nod towards mother. "I know I should not talk 
 this way about our teacher, but I think truthfulness is 
 even more important than respect to our superiors." 
 
 Toying with his pipe father continued : 
 
 "Of course, you know without my telling you so that 
 Miss Goodwin is your teacher, and as such, your superior, 
 whom you have to respect and to obey. Yes, you should 
 even love your teacher, for she is yoilr best friend outside 
 of your family and next to your parents. Heaven knows, 
 some teachers are more to the children than their parents. 
 But that is neither here nor there. What I wanted to 
 
24 MR. MAN 
 
 say is this. Every country has its own destiny and conse- 
 quently its own history. We will find great men in the 
 history of each country and they have Just as much right 
 to be considered great as our own leaders. It is a mere 
 coincidence that the United States seems to have alotted 
 to her a peculiarly wonderful mission by which the whole 
 world is to be benefitted. We do not know what this mis- 
 sion might prove to be but we feel it coming. Washing- 
 ton felt it and Lincoln openly spoke about it. Now then, 
 so far so good. If we are children of a chosen nation, let 
 us be thankful for it. We might even feel proud. But, 
 remember, conceit is the grave of all really great enter- 
 prises. So, no matter how thankful and how proud you 
 will be, and may God give you good reason for both, do 
 not get conceited and self-centered." 
 
 "Ours is a comparatively young country. America 
 has made wonderful strides. The papers that come to us 
 occasionally from the large cities all tell us of the great 
 future. That all might be so. But heaven knows that 
 we must forestall in good time any selfish pride if we do 
 not want to become the laughing stock of generations to 
 come. * * * " 
 
 "Dear, you are working yourself up into a state of 
 undue excitement," mother ventured to interrupt. "You 
 know only too well that you must not give way to your 
 ideals. We have been working hard all these years in 
 order to let our children have a better future than we 
 had. Our greatest difficulty was that of trying to check 
 our ideals and dreams. We had and still have to face 
 
MR. MAN 25 
 
 stern realities and we must not dwell on things that might 
 be." 
 
 Father looked at her as if he would say, bless your 
 soul. "Well, mother dear, you are right and you are 
 wrong. You are right in reminding me that I should not 
 let my' enthusiasm get away with me. There is hard 
 work ahead for us. Plenty of it. I should call it drudg- 
 ery if it were not for our children. And it is not all for 
 our children, either. Where would the country come in 
 if parents thought but of the material welfare of their 
 children? — "No harm meant," to mother as she tried to 
 remonstrate. "God knows I am willing enough to work 
 for our children. And I might as well say it, that you 
 are doing many times more than I could ever think of 
 doing for them. But what I mean to impress upon the 
 minds of these children is this. We are toiling for them 
 so that we may secure for them some comforts of life. 
 We do not wish to be slaves of our desires, however. 
 Do -we, mother dear? See, we would be nothing but 
 slaves if we tried to provide for our children just for the 
 sake of comfort. Comfort alone makes for laziness. We 
 are doing for them all we can, we are giving them all we 
 have and we want them to have more out of life than 
 we ever had or might have had, so that they may appre- 
 ciate it and reciprocate. And whom do we want them to, 
 reciprocate to? To us? Nosiree! We want our chil- 
 dren to return to the world with compound interest all 
 that we ever gave them. And this they will only be able 
 to do if they maintain a humble attitude." 
 
26 MR. MAN 
 
 "The greatest men the world ever knew were those 
 who were utterly forgetful of themselves. The world 
 does not always understand big-heartedness born of true 
 humility. They crucified Christ for it. Others have been 
 called fools. And what do we see today? Many a man 
 is strutting in greatness who should be behind prison bars, 
 and on the other hand many a really great man passes 
 by unnoticed." 
 
 Father took up his pipe. We knew he was nearly 
 finished with what he had to say. 
 
 "Children of ours, who knows that but some day some 
 of you will be called upon to fulfill an important mission. 
 We, mother and I, want you to make good. Yet, be 
 mindful of it, that whatever be your task in life, small or 
 great, you will fail unless you stay humble." 
 
 Then, rising from the table, he kissed mother on the 
 forehead and on leaving the room he said in a casual 
 manner: "I am going to speak to Miss Goodwin, and 
 you just keep on minding her." 
 
 "Oh, mother, isn't he wonderful !" we said in unison. 
 
 Mother smiled. How could she help it. She was 
 proud of him. We could see it, and there was no use 
 denying it. 
 
 "Children, if you mean to say that father is a real 
 man, I agree with you. Yet there is nothing wonderful 
 about being a real man ; that is every one's duty." 
 
 Mother also rose, kissing us in turn and we followed 
 her out into the little yard to help her weed some plants. 
 
MR. MAN 27 
 
 II. 
 
 The fourth Sunday of the month was sort of a hoHday 
 for us of Hopeview. Rightly so. The rector of St. 
 Mary's, the nearest parish, twenty miles to the south, 
 sent his curate to us once a month. Father Andrew, a 
 young priest, owing to the distance, usually arrived the 
 previous Saturday and made his headquarters with Unk. 
 In the evening he held vespers for us and we made our 
 confession. Most of us did, as there were only three 
 Methodists and a handful of Quakers among us. The 
 priest's arrival was always an event, and anticipated and 
 looked forward to from the hour of his departure to the 
 day of his next return. Sunday mornings the whole town 
 flocked to the church, which was no less a room than 
 Unk's front parlor. Unk professed to be an agnostic. If 
 he knew what that was he never told any one. I am in- 
 clined to believe that he just liked the sound of that word 
 and it seemed to impress the townsfolk. In reality he 
 was the rector's right-hand man. And his front parlor 
 was set aside for our services. Miss Goodwin resur- 
 rected a reed organ from somewhere and played the in- 
 strument at vespers and at mass. When the organ first 
 came to Hopeview it was meant to be a surprise and 
 Miss Goodwin surely had her reward. The enthusiasm 
 over her magnanimity knew no bounds. Being of a 
 grateful disposition she rewarded the towns-people with 
 and additional surprise, when, at the psychological mo- 
 ment she took up her chair, went straight to the organ and 
 
28 MR. MAN 
 
 played it for us. I was a small boy of some thirteen 
 years when we had music at mass for the first time, but 
 I remember to this day that father wiped his eyes when 
 Miss Goodwin played the first notes of "Down in adora- 
 tion falling." And father was a strong man. 
 
 Unk took it for granted that he should be the care- 
 taker of the church and he did his job well, indeed. 
 Sometimes perhaps too well. The front parlor he pro- 
 vided with three dozen chairs. Some of our townsmen 
 constructed an altar and on Memorial Day in 1905 some 
 things arrived from the mid-western mail-order house 
 that made all Hopeview gasp. A fairly large crucifix, 
 six oaken candlesticks, an incense pot and a carpet. Some 
 candles came too, but as they happened to be of a poppy 
 red shade they were later on exchanged for wax candles. 
 All these things were blessed by the priest and have been 
 properly used ever since. By and by some pictures were 
 added to the ornaments of our church. Unk just got a 
 notion to order some things ; they came and were prompt- 
 ly paid for, everybody contributing to the best of his 
 ability, and Hopeview harbored no stingy people for there 
 always was a little balance on hand. Naturally, Unk was 
 the secretary-treasurer and what not. The rest of us 
 had no time to bother. Every able bodied person in 
 Hopeview spent the day on the "ranches" or else kept 
 busy around the house. 
 
 We were a hard-working town but somehow we did 
 not get hardened by the work. Something kept up our 
 good spirits and if there was anything that did it, it was 
 
MR. MAN 29 
 
 the family spirit that was predominant. You should have 
 seen how our Methodist and Quaker brethren rushed to 
 church on the fourth Sundays. At times they were talk- 
 ing of "hiring" an itinerant missionary for themselves but 
 then dropped the subject, thinking that Father Andrew 
 was good enough for them. The purest harmony pre- 
 vailed in Hopeview and the occasional deaths were the 
 only incidents that brought sorrow to us. Not that we 
 were a gay crowd. But we were cheerful and God sure- 
 ly must have loved us a good deal keeping us cheerful 
 some twenty miles away from nowheres. 
 
 Unk, the self-styled agnostic was jealous of the 
 church. He swept it twice a week, and no one was al- 
 lowed to enter, not even Miss Goodwin. 
 
 "My front parlor is the house of God. His servants 
 may enter it at any time, his children only when he comes 
 to them," which was rather strange for an agnostic to 
 say, but then to this day I firmly believe that his self- 
 professed agnosticism did no harm, because most people 
 did not bother about it and those whose curiosity was 
 aroused never to be satisfied, came to the conclusion that 
 Unk's being an agnostic meant that he belonged to some 
 sort of a secret organization or lodge. 
 
 The fourth Sunday I am speaking of was in Septem- 
 ber 1914. The day previous the priest arrived. This 
 time it was Father John, the rector himself. He arrived 
 about four o'clock in the afternoon and went straight to 
 Unk's. People began returning from the ranches and the 
 rector's buggy caused a mixed feeling of joy and relief. 
 
30 MR. MAN 
 
 "The monotony will be broken and we shall have mass, 
 a good sermon and unburden ourselves in confession." 
 Not that we had much to confess, but it did one good to 
 kneel down before the servant of God and realize the 
 nearness of the Master. Within about an hour's time 
 all Hopeview knew the priest had arrived and Unk saw 
 to it that they should also know that the visitor this time 
 was the rector himself. 
 
 All Hopeview loved Fr. John dearly. We just could 
 not help it. He seemed to us like a patriarch of the olden 
 times, and he looked his part. His long white hair sur- 
 rounded a ruddy face which was made attractive by the 
 contrast created between the sharp lines and his kindly 
 blue eyes. His nose, somewhat prominent, sat well over 
 his well shaped mouth. He was little over medium 
 height, rather lean but sinewy, the upper part of his body 
 bending slightly forward. The rector carried his sixty- 
 five years very lightly and when he preached he seemed 
 to grow fifteen years younger. His clear, even voice 
 reached one's very heart and his clean cut, unassuming 
 arguments penetrated one's mind. 
 
 It happened occasionally that Fr. John came instead 
 of his curate, so no one attributed particular significance 
 to his visit at this time. It was his privilege to come 
 whenever he pleased, and much as we liked his assistant 
 it was good to behold this dear old face which always 
 seemed young. 
 
 Father John was a real American priest, one of the 
 
MR. MAN 31 
 
 pioneer missionaries of our region and well known for 
 miles around. 
 
 At supper on these Saturdays the priest was the topic 
 of conversation. Some of our Protestant brethren seem- 
 ed to dislike confession and were inclined to find fault 
 generally, but their arguments never became unfriendly 
 and usually for two weeks following the services there 
 was nothing said, especially so when Fr. John held the 
 services. His assistant was inclined to be just a trifle 
 aggressive, but the rector was always the same fatherly 
 friend to everyone, making no discriminations and using 
 no favoritism, not even with Unk. In fact if anything, 
 I am inclined to think Unk was afraid of him, in spite 
 of or maybe because of his professed agnosticism. 
 
 "What do you say, Man, Fr. John never even once 
 reprimanded me for talking agnosticism," Unk once said 
 to father. 
 
 "Well, Unk, that's simple enough. If Fr. John 
 thinks you do not know what you are talking about, he 
 does not want to hurt your feelings by telling you so. 
 Again, if he thinks you do not mean what you say, what's 
 the use of scolding you?" 
 
 Unk, somehow, did not like this explanation but I sup- 
 pose he made the best of it. 
 
 Lately Hopeview had paid to the happenings of the 
 world at large less attention than usual. Occasionally we 
 got newspapers from the North and the East. Unk wrote 
 for them whenever he got the desire of talking to Hope- 
 view. Sunday afternoons he would gather the men-folk 
 
32 MR. MAN 
 
 around his combination of a grocery store and post office 
 and would read to them the news items that seemed to 
 him most interesting. It was being whispered that he 
 spent many a night in carefully scanning the papers and 
 some rumor even had it that Unk was interested in stocks 
 and bonds. But there will be rumors even in backwood 
 villages. 
 
 When father and I strolled home from our ranch on 
 that Saturday evening we saw Fr. John and Unk walking 
 towards our house. The dear old priest looked so digni- 
 fied with his long cassock, his slouch hat, leaning lightly 
 upon his cane. Unk was walking alongside of him with 
 an air of modest pride. As soon as Father John no- 
 ticed us he waved his small hand. We met just a few 
 steps in front of our house. After having exchanged the 
 usual greetings, Fr. John sat down on the green garden 
 bench and I can see him to this day, with the white walls 
 of our home to his back, at the right and left our two 
 latticed windows and the red geraniums in the boxes. 
 The retiring sun threw a purplish golden hue over the 
 scenery and the color waves seemed to form a halo 
 around that slouch hat. 
 
 "Brother Man," the priest said, "Unk and I are in 
 somewhat of a predicament. Unk tells me he mislaid the 
 key of the organ, your smithy is ill so we came to you 
 to ask you to open the organ for to-night's litany with- 
 out breaking it." 
 
 Unk blushed, Fr. John smiled and father laughed. 
 
 "Why Father, you better tell Unk not to be so jealous 
 
MR. MAN 33 
 
 of the church. He lets no one enter and some nice day 
 there will be something missing and what then?" 
 
 Father had a way with him that his jokes never of- 
 fended. 
 
 "You certainly are a wise one," Unk retorted. "Next 
 thing you know you will be telling me the organ needs 
 'tuning up." 
 
 Fr. John visited with us for some time. Mother and 
 the sisters came to greet him and then he strolled away 
 with Unk, father promising him to come to the church 
 and to open the organ right after supper. Father had 
 a knack of being a Jack of all trades and he never gave 
 the matter another thought. 
 
 At eight o'clock the inhabitants of Hopeview began to 
 gather around Unk's house. Father could not find his 
 tool box so we were a little delayed and it so happened 
 that by the time we reached the church the services had 
 all but started. 
 
 Miss Goodwin was getting impatient. She was to 
 play the litany, but how could she with the organ locked 
 up and no key. She heaved a sigh of relief when we ar- 
 rived with father, who forthwith applied his tools and 
 opened the organ without even scratching it. Miss Good- 
 win, by sheer force of habit, let her fingers run over the 
 keyboard by way of a prelude. Oh, and did it not sound 
 funny ! I could not help smiling and looked up at father. 
 
 "Miss Goodwin, Unk thinks this organ needs a bit of 
 tuning up," father said quietly. 
 
 It was a beautiful September evening, this one partic- 
 
34 MR. MAN 
 
 ular Saturday I am speaking of. The church was filled 
 to its capacity. While Miss Goodwin struggled with her 
 organ as best she could, trying to keep^ the children from 
 grinning, Unk busied himself around the altar, lighting 
 the candles and setting everything aright. Perhaps, in 
 his heart of hearts he was yearning for his poppy-red 
 candles of yore. 
 
 Through the open window a fragrant breeze brought 
 the greetings of nature while the birds sang a hymn all 
 their own. Else all was quiet. No steamboat fog-horn, 
 no clatter of railroads was there to break the solemn 
 quietude. Then Fr. John appeared in his surplice and 
 all went well. We were used to wait imtil the priest 
 had left the church and so we were rather surprised 
 when Fr. John, the litany over, instead of passing out of 
 the room went back to the altar, hat and cane in hand. 
 
 "My children, I wish to ask you all to come to mass 
 tomorrow morning, at the usual time, eight o'clock. I 
 have something on my mind and I want you all to pray 
 with me in the morning." With this he passed out. 
 On leaving the church, we found Fr. John on Unk's front 
 porch, where he visited with those of Hopeview who 
 could spare the time. None of them thought of asking 
 him what he had reference to when asking all to attend 
 mass next morning. It was understood that all would 
 attend who were able to. Thus, the fact that his remark 
 indicated that something of importance was pending did 
 not change the minds and the attitude of our parents, 
 and they came home without any particular amount of 
 
MR. MAN 35 
 
 curiosity and we went to bed without even seriously won- 
 dering what it might be. Not that we were careless. 
 On the contrary, we were very much interested in every- 
 thing that pertained to our commvmity, but we thought, 
 "why worry? Father John knows what he is talking 
 about and he will tell us what is on his mind when he 
 gets good and ready." Besides, our conscience was clear. 
 There were no gamblers, no crooks nor thieves nor pros- 
 titues in Hopeview. Ours was a truly clean life. It 
 might be said that we were good because we had no op- 
 portunity for being otherwise. Maybe so. Yet, let me 
 tell you, it is no joke to be good when you are working 
 on the field say fourteen hours a day for a mere living. 
 For being good really means being kind to your fellow 
 man and honest to God. 
 
 The next morning, being the fourth Sunday of Sep- 
 tember 1914, found all of Hopeview at church. A good 
 hour before the time set for the services the villagers be- 
 gan to gather in front of Unk's house, all in their Sunday 
 best and in a strangely solemn mood of expectation. The 
 morning was beautiful as only an autumn morning in 
 the mountains could be. The fragrance of the air, the 
 perftime of the trees and flowers and the lovely twitter 
 of our little feathered friends formed a delightful har- 
 mony. Yet the entire atmosfjhere seemed somehow dif- 
 ferent from what it used to be. We were not of a curi- 
 ous nature, yet I am quite sure that the heart and mind 
 of everyone was filled with a vague sort of anxiety. 
 
36 MR. MAN 
 
 Shortly we shall know why Fr. John asked the whole 
 village to attend especially this morning's service. 
 
 Unk stood in front of his house, welcoming the ar- 
 rivals. He was good at it. He had a friendly word or 
 nod to every one and a smile for the children. A cer- 
 tain air of importance mingled with a dignity all his own 
 pointed him out easily as the leader of the village. This 
 office he claimed, or rather took for granted and there was 
 no one to dispute it. Mother, sisters and I were wait- 
 ing with the rest. Nearly all of us were there. After 
 a little while father came, strolling leisurely alongside of 
 our next-door neighbors, the Wellmans. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Wellman almost belonged to our family. They have been 
 our neighbors ever since my parents came to Hopeview 
 and their only daughter, Ann Mary, was our best friend. 
 We grew up together, romped and played together and 
 shared all of our little pleasures and joys. 
 
 How well Ann Mary looked this morning. For the 
 first time it dawned upon me what a stately girl she was. 
 Eighteen only, yet a full grown woman of stately ap- 
 pearance. Her auburn hair made a pleasing contrast to 
 her dark blue eyes. Indeed, I thought, Ann Mary was 
 a handsome girl. And while I was watching their ap- 
 proach it occurred to me that I must have missed a whole 
 lot by not having noticed her charms before this. True, 
 we never thought of each other as anything else but play- 
 mates. At least I did not, so I think. Hardly four years 
 her senior this would have seemed quite natural. And 
 this morning I felt thrilled at her sight. Would it not 
 
MR. MAN 37 
 
 be glorious if some day Ann Mary should be more than 
 my playmate? This question came all subconsciously 
 and I had no time to answer it even had I intended do- 
 ing so. 
 
 Unk went to meet father and the Wellmans while I 
 involuntarily stepped forward to bid the girl a rather 
 formal good morning. We shook hands for the first time 
 in our lives and she smiled and was so lovely. 
 
 "Good morning, aunty," she greeted mother. "Oh, 
 how wonderful nature is this morning. And still I am 
 almost afraid to enjoy all this beauty to the full." 
 
 "Bless you, little girl, you look like a morning-glory," 
 said mother smilingly. 
 
 We went into the house and occupied our seats. Ev- 
 erybody was there, the Methodists and Quakers and all. 
 And Miss Goodwin began to play the little organ and Unk 
 got busy around the altar. Ann Mary sat right in front 
 of me alongside my sisters. 
 
 At Fr. John's approach the whole congregation rose. 
 The mass went on as usual and the majority of the con- 
 gregation received communion. Somehow this service 
 seemed to me more solemn than any one I have attended. 
 
 Then came the sermon. Fr. John never offered any 
 explanation why on the previous evening he extended a 
 special invitation to all to be present this morning. He 
 just talked in his usual, kindly, convincing manner. It 
 seemed to me that his voice was not quite as steady as 
 it used to be. Perhaps he was aging. 
 
 He went on telling us things which were good to 
 
38 MR. MAN 
 
 listen to. Kindly words of encouragement sounded so 
 well from the lip^s of this true servant of God. 
 
 "You have been living near to God all these years, 
 my friends and may it be granted to you to always main- 
 tain this attitude. No doubt there might be many who 
 would pity you because of the limitations of your daily 
 lives. Some may even smile at you. Yet, all that really 
 matters is a clear conscience and this is easier to main- 
 tain far from the turmoil of the world." 
 
 "Much as I appreciate your secluded life, I thought I 
 would ask you to get in touch with the outer world. Not 
 for the sake of imitating it, but merely for the sake of 
 learning a little more of what is going on around you. 
 It seems the time has come when we have to begin think- 
 ing on a larger scale. Perhaps, we have been a little too 
 much self-centered, and lost sight of the fact that there 
 are others living in this world besides ourselves." 
 
 "Divine Providence seems to have called the human 
 race to task. Unity of purpose, so it seems, will take the 
 place of exclusive traditions. There is war in Europe at 
 present. No one can know how long it will last and how 
 far it will spread and in giving way to one's thought it 
 does not seem a remote possibility that the entire world 
 might become involved in what seems to be assuming the 
 proportions of a terrible struggle. I do not like to dis- 
 turb you in your peaceful pursuit of happiness, but I felt 
 called upon to give you a warning and to induce you to 
 prepare yourselves to meet emergencies the magnitude of 
 which no one can fathom." 
 
MR. MAN 39 
 
 Then good Fr. John went on telling us how the war 
 in Europe had started and that we ought to keep our- 
 selves posted. For this purpose he will see that we shall 
 occasionally get newspapers from the larger cities. It is 
 true enough that we had paid very little if any attention 
 to the outside world and thus we were rather taken 
 aback by his announcement. A few weeks ago a some- 
 what hazy rumor of trouble in Europe had reached our 
 town. A traveling man talked about it to Unk, who in 
 turn repeated the news to some of the men, but they all 
 thought it rather a joke and that happenings in Europe 
 were none of their business. 
 
 "We have been led," Fr. John went on, "by a material- 
 istic view of the world and of life at large. Hard facts 
 have counted only, the scientific spirit was predominant 
 and there seemed to have been no room for ideas, visions 
 which could not be converted into dollars and cents, and 
 consequently faith is on the decline. Man's logic may 
 have no place for the supernatural, but man's heart can- 
 not do without it. This is a truth which humankind 
 seems to have forgotten and which will be brought back 
 to us by trials and tribulations." 
 
 "Be mindful of the fact that you are living in a world 
 which is governed by the same desires all over. I do not 
 wish to alarm you, but it does not seem improbable that 
 all the world may get its share of the trials. Before God 
 all peoples are equal and all peoples seem equally to have 
 forgotten God's mandate of true brotherly love." 
 
 "Pray to God, my children, that He may give you 
 
40 MR. MAN 
 
 light to see and courage to look ahead and also determina- 
 tion to face bravely whatever might be in store for us." 
 
 The good priest's unusual talk aroused our curiosity 
 and perhaps some fear, too. 
 
 The Wellmans spent that afternoon at our home. 
 They came over early after the midday meal and at first 
 just lingered. Even though having lived next door for 
 so many years, we did not know much of each other. 
 This was more or less the case with all of us of Hope- 
 view. We have been absorbed in our own daily tasks and 
 it was not that we were selfish, but we just did not seem 
 to find time to get really acquainted. We visited seldom 
 with our neighbors and our intercourse consisted chiefly 
 of occasional brief calls of the two mothers, mostly 
 prompted by little household affairs. With us children it 
 was quite different. We played together and went to 
 school together and were good playmates, my sisters, Ann 
 Mary and I. Somehow as we grew we seemed to grow 
 apart from each other. Not that we got estranged but 
 by and by we had to assume our share of the work, and 
 since all of us did it willingly, there was little time for 
 play as the years went by. And as there was no especial 
 occasion for their visit on this particular Sunday after- 
 noon, I think it was the spirit of anxiety involuntarily 
 caused by Fr. John that threw us closer together once 
 more. The Wellmans were not the only ones who called 
 on their neighbors this particular Sunday. We noticed 
 
MR. MAN 41 
 
 quite a few of the townspeople walking into neighboring 
 homes. 
 
 The meal was partaken in silence resembling a mood 
 of suspense. Then mother and sisters attended to the 
 dishes while father engaged me in a game of checkers. 
 He was a master at it, but seemed distracted, paying little 
 attention to his moves. With the alertness of youth I 
 was only too ready to take advantage of the situation and 
 was just on the point of winning the game when the Well- 
 mans arrived. Father brushed aside the checkers and 
 rose to meet the callers, I following his example. Mrs. 
 Wellman and Ann Mary joined the women members of 
 our family in their task, and Mr. Wellman, a usually very 
 reticent man, with traces of hard work on his counten- 
 ance, which however could not kill an expression of kind- 
 liness, broke the silence. 
 
 "I am surprised, Man, at the way Fr. John acted this 
 morning. Usually he is so quieting and soothing and to- 
 day he almost impressed me as an alarmist." 
 
 "Wellman, to tell the truth, I was more ashamed than 
 alarmed at what the priest said," replied father earnestly. 
 
 "How so?" 
 
 "You see I thought it was really a shame that we have 
 not kept abreast with the times. We have been so en- 
 tirely absorbed with our own little affairs. And what do 
 they amount to, anyway?" 
 
 "I do not quite follow you, Man. I hope you do not 
 mean to infer that we should have neglected our daily 
 
42 MR. MAN 
 
 tasks for the sake of reading newspapers, all of which do 
 nothing but lie." 
 
 "Now, there, Wellman. How do you know they lie? 
 Have you read so many papers lately?" somewhat ironi- 
 cally. 
 
 "No, Man, not lately, indeed. But there was a time 
 when I spent considerable time and money on the news- 
 papers and what did I gain by it ? Nothing. Just wasted 
 my time. To-day the papers will print something just 
 to promptly deny it the next day. I £im truly sorry for 
 every cent and for every hour I idled away with reading 
 newspapers." 
 
 "What are you, Wellman?" As the visitor did not 
 seem to catch the question, father repeated it in other 
 words. "What party do you belong to?" 
 
 Wellman smiled. 
 
 "I do not like to talk politics, Man, but if you must 
 know and if you refer to the two leading parties of our 
 day let me tell you I belong to neither. I had my fill of 
 politics many years ago while living at the county seat. 
 I even had a goodly taste of electioneering and got so 
 disgusted with it all that I came here where I thought 
 I would not be disturbed in my political views." 
 
 "Well, what are they?" 
 "I am neither a republican, nor a democrat. I am 
 just simply a plain American." 
 
 Now father thought it was his turn to smile. 
 
 "You may smile all you want," Mr. Wellman retorted 
 almost impatiently. "And I am surprised at you. A man 
 
MR. MAN 43 
 
 with your character, as straight as a die, certainly ought 
 to know that the most of America's troubles and mixups 
 and blunders can be traced back to the fact that our 
 politicians, most of them, are not statesmen but simply 
 politicians. Many a candidate will promise his consti- 
 tuents the blue skies with the stars thrown in while the 
 campaign lasts. I heard once a candidate promise his 
 people outright that he would see to it that the Con- 
 stitution be changed if their particular interests should 
 make it necessary. And when they get to Congress what 
 do most of them do? Waste the time with filibustering 
 and politics and the real needs of the country may go 
 to the dogs or, at best, wait." 
 
 "Do you not think you are rather harsh ? How about 
 Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt and the many others who 
 built up this country to a leading role from almost noth- 
 mg. 
 
 "Ah, my friend, but these men were not politicians. 
 They were statesmen and patriots of the clearest water. 
 Washington, as you know, of aristocratic British descent, 
 never knew what personal ambition was. You may re- 
 tort he had this country in the hollow of his hand. True, 
 he ruled, but he attained this not because he had any 
 ambition to rule, but because he knew how to serve the 
 nation. The truest servant is the best leader. And the 
 jump from a log cabin to the White House never made 
 Lincoln lose his level head. As to Roosevelt, he at one 
 time was the leading influence not only in the States but 
 in the whole world, so to speak. It was not his ambition. 
 
44 MR. MAN 
 
 or selfish designs that put him upon the pedestal but his 
 unselfish work linked with the magnetism of personality." 
 
 Mother, Mrs. Wellman and the girls came from the 
 kitchen and Wellman thought they would not be in- 
 terested in politics. 
 
 "We hope we are not disturbing you," said mother. I 
 rose offering her my chair. Then the rest of the ladies 
 sat down, and it happened that by the time all were 
 seated there was but one empty chair next to Ann Mary 
 and I did not need a special invitation. Somehow I felt 
 drawn to the girl ever since this morning. 
 
 "No, mother, you are not disturbing us. We just 
 talked politics and stopped when you entered thinking 
 the topic would bore you," father said in a casual man- 
 ner. 
 
 "Politics?" queried Mrs. Wellman. "What on earth 
 made you do that.''" 
 
 "Your husband started it by telling me how surprised 
 he was at Fr. John's talking this morning the way he 
 did." 
 
 "And what was wrong about his sermon ?" asked Mrs. 
 Wellman. 
 
 "Wrong? Mrs. Wellman, that man could not say or 
 do wrong if he wanted to. If there is anything the mat- 
 ter with Fr. John I think he is almost too good to live." 
 "I am sure he would not admit that if you asked 
 him," remarked Mr. Wellman. "In fact if I am sizing 
 up Fr. John rightly I think he is afraid he is not doing 
 enough. Nevertheless I repeat that I was surprised at 
 
MR. MAN 45 
 
 the way he preached this morning. Why, he as much 
 as hinted that even the States might get a taste of the 
 war." 
 
 "And why not?" retorted father. "Are we people of 
 the States built differently from peoples living in other 
 parts of the world? Are we not likewise under the in- 
 fluence of our personal desires? Are not many of us 
 victims of ambitions, which in turn lead to greed and 
 which again breeds hatred? I guess we are, only we 
 do not know it. At least the folks of Hopeview do 
 not know it. But there are others, I reckon, who know 
 it too well but won't admit it." 
 
 "Father, I am afraid you are seeing things from a 
 rather dark side," remarked mother. 
 
 "Hello! Good for you, Mrs. Man. Here you are 
 taking up our talk on politics," cried Mr. Wellman. 
 
 "And why not, neighbor. As a rule, I am not a bit 
 interested in politics, neither is your wife, and you men 
 know it. For that matter, I do not think that any woman 
 is interested in politics as such, and I also think all the 
 men know it. But that does not imply that we do not 
 think." 
 
 "Quietly and not unfrequently," observed Mrs. Well- 
 man. The girls and I were seemingly stirred. Our in- 
 terest was aroused as we knew we were going to be wit- 
 nesses to an interesting exchange of ideas. The girls as 
 well as myself loved our parents not only because we 
 were taught to do so, but because we recognized their 
 dormant qualities and we felt that in their quiet unas- 
 suming way they did their share of thinking. 
 
46 MR. MAN 
 
 "Quite so," from Mr. Wellman, 
 
 "Well, I am the last one to deny woman's right to 
 talk," added father. 
 
 "You could not if you wanted to," mother replied. 
 "You are too straight for that. Broadmindedness was 
 always your middle name and somehow I feel you would 
 make a mark in public affairs if you had half a chance." 
 
 "It would not be a bad thing either. Your husband 
 has got an open mind and a level head and courage, too," 
 said Wellman. 
 
 "How about yourself, neighbor?" father smilingly. 
 "Do not start throwing bouquets at me or I shall take 
 up your challenge." 
 
 Mr. Wellman did not like this remark and then and 
 there the thought occurred to me that these two simple, 
 hardworking men might have a store of knowledge and 
 experience much larger than one might suspect. 
 
 Mother took up Fr. John's sermon. 
 
 "I think it was high time that our good priest made us 
 rub our eyes. He just wanted to get us started to do 
 some thinking outside of the narrow confines of our 
 little lives." 
 
 "You mean he made us guess," retorted Wellman. 
 
 Father could not resist breaking in. 
 
 "Wellman, when it comes to making people guess, I 
 think you have beat Fr. John by a good mile. Just listen, 
 folks, he just said he was neither a republican nor a 
 democrat. What do you know about that?" 
 
 "And so it is, my friends," Wellman said. "The Re- 
 
MR. MAN 47 
 
 publicans as well as the Democrats are mostly politicians, 
 wasting time at it. The worst of it is that they are 
 wasting the people's time and money and not their own. 
 For this reason I told Man that I belong to neither 
 party." 
 
 "But you must belong somewhere," father queried. 
 
 "Indeed I do. I belong to the tens of thousands of 
 Americans who are hoping for the time when a new 
 party will arise which will champion the interests of the 
 States and the welfare of the people and not politics 
 and party ambitions and rot like that." 
 
 All of us looked at the speaker, then at father. These 
 two men had the gift of disagreeing without getting dis- 
 agreeable. Father put his pipe upon the table, a well 
 known sign that he was going to say something and so 
 he did. 
 
 "Wellman, I must admit you are getting interesting, if 
 a little visionary. You are dreaming of a new order of 
 things when the supreme ambition of every one will be 
 the welfare of the commonwealth. Well, I am with 
 you and so are many others. But I am afraid the real- 
 ization of your vision is a long ways off." 
 
 "Fr. John as much as hinted that the world is facing 
 a crisis and that the States might be drawn into it. Well, 
 history tells us of many a crisis and is the world any 
 better oif for it?" retorted Wellman. 
 
 "Don't forget that there is a difference, a very vast 
 one, between a crisis and a cataclysm," father said. 
 
48 MR. MAN 
 
 "But, neighbor, who is talking of a cataclysm?" 
 queried Wellman. 
 
 "Nobody, so it seems, but every one ought to. To tell 
 you frankly, I think there was a whole lot between the 
 lines of what the priest said. Adding two and two to- 
 gether, I think he wanted to warn us of and prepare us 
 for a pending cataclysm, but did not do so for fear of 
 frightening us.'' 
 
 Too bad, I thought, Unk could not be here. He liked 
 big words so much and he liked to talk. No sooner had 
 this thought crossed my mind than who walked in but 
 Unk. 
 
 "Good afternoon folks," he said, looking for a chair. 
 As there was none empty I rose. He thanked me pro- 
 fusely. Ann Mary followed my example as did sisters 
 and so we strolled out into the little garden. 
 
 "I have picked up your last words," Unk continued, 
 "and I gather you were indulging in some big talk." 
 The windows were open and there was no fear of our 
 missing anything, or at least what Unk would say as 
 he spoke rather loudly. Father gave him the gist of the 
 conversation. 
 
 "Crisis. Cataclysm. Big words. And do you know 
 what they mean?" The self-styled agnostic had the in- 
 nocent habit of thinking he knew it all and no one else. 
 But he was polite about it and so there never was any 
 harm done. 
 
 "I reckon we have a faint idea of it," said father. 
 
 "Why, of course," from Unk. 
 
 "Well, Unk, a crisis is a situation created by restless- 
 
\MR. MAN 49 
 
 ness, dissatisfaction and sometimes, by monotony of 
 affairs, and always tends to remedy matters. While a 
 cataclysm is a crisis gone wild," explained father. A 
 short silence followed this explanation. Ann Mary 
 looked at me with a faint smile, which I returned in 
 kind. I think we guessed that father's explanation went 
 a few inches over Unk's head. Not that he was dull 
 or anything, but we thought father's way of arguing was 
 more solid. 
 
 "Now then," Unk started, "accepting your explana- 
 tion, how did Fr. John come to talk the way he did?" 
 
 "And why shouldn't he?" retorted father. 
 
 "Why should he? I ask," said Unk somewhat heat- 
 edly. "You folks know I am agnostic. Yet I like Fr. 
 John. Always did, and I like his curate and the rest 
 of the clergy. We need them, because they are the dis- 
 pensers of faith. And heaven only knows we need 
 faith, and plenty of it. Faith not only in God but in 
 ourselves as well" — 
 
 Father was bound to interrupt him. 
 
 "Well said for an agnostic, Unk," at which Ann Mary 
 and I exchanged another understanding smile. Sisters 
 were picking flowers and the girl and I just listened. If 
 I want to be perfectly honest, I think the conversation 
 going on in the house was for us a good excuse for 
 holding hands. 
 
 "You said it, Man," we again heard Unk's voice. 
 "You do not talk much, but whenever you do you say 
 something." 
 
 And again we smiled. 
 
50 MR. MAN 
 
 "Thanks," we heard father say bluntly. 
 "Now, come, let us talk this out," again from Unk. 
 "What?" chimed in both men. 
 
 "Well, the impending crisis, or cataclysm, or whatever 
 it was that Fr. John alluded to this morning." 
 
 V. 
 
 Nature was too beautiful and the day was too nice and 
 we were too young to listen any longer to a conversation 
 which, we thought, really did not concern us, at least 
 for the present. So Ann Mary and I started out for a 
 walk. We returned just a short while before suppler. 
 She carried a big bunch of wild flowers, the first I had 
 ever picked for a girl. I saw her home and on approach- 
 ing their door she ran ahead to meet her mother. 
 
 "Look, mother, what I have." 
 
 Mrs. Wellman took her daughter in her arms and I 
 parted with the promise to call the following Sunday. I 
 had but a few steps to go to our house, but found time 
 enough to realize that I had become really acquainted 
 with Ann Mary. Upon entering the house I found 
 mother and sisters setting the table for supper. 
 
 "Father left with Unk and Mr. Wellman and they 
 will spend the evening together." 
 
 We had a very delightful meal. The plain but whole- 
 some fare was spiced with the loving kindness of mother 
 and sisters. They were glad I had taken Ann Mary for 
 a walk and they agreed that she was a lovable girl. 
 
MR. MAN 51 
 
 After supper sisters busied themselves in the kitchen. 
 Mother and I remained in the room. I moved a chair 
 up to the window. Mother occupied it and I squatted 
 on the floor next to her as I used to do when I was a 
 small boy. We had one of our impromptu visits. If any 
 one had listened to our conversation, he would have 
 thought two good chums were visiting. The window sill 
 was low enough for me to see sisters pass into the Well- 
 man house after a little while and I felt my heart grow 
 in noticing the wild flowers in Ann Mary's window. 
 
 Mother told me of the talk the men had after the girls 
 and I had left. I told her in turn, that we heard some 
 of it while lingering in front of the house. 
 
 "I know, my boy, but you missed the best part. The 
 conversation got to be so interesting that father called 
 in your sisters. I did not send for you because I was 
 so happy to see you with that dear girl and I thought I 
 would repeat the conversation to you." Mother went 
 on telling me that after some lively pros and cons, the 
 men agreed that the time will come when things will 
 undergo a radical change, when the brotherly spirit will 
 be uppermost. Politics will be cleansed and mother told 
 me with one of her kissable smiles that the men even 
 admitted that women will have a hand in this cleaning 
 process of politics. And she also told me that the men 
 agreed that the very idea of the States getting into this 
 war was preposterous. 
 
 "As to the last point, my boy, I really think father 
 and Mr. Wellman just let Unk.have his way. The old 
 man got so excited that they did not want to contradict 
 
52 MR. MAN 
 
 him. I am sure father and Mr. Wellman have some 
 serious thoughts upon their minds." 
 
 "Do you not think, mother, that they should have 
 told Unk plainly what they thought, once they got 
 started?" 
 
 "I think, my boy, it was best they did not. Unk is a 
 good man, but he has ideas all his own. I think way 
 back in his life there is some sad disappointment lurk- 
 ing. I have known him for many years and I am con- 
 vinced he is a man of intelligence. Sometimes 'I feel so 
 sorry for him because something tellls me he really does 
 not like big words, and that he is not an agnostic and 
 that he is just trying to talk himself away from his 
 inner self." 
 
 After a short silence mother again spoke. 
 
 "I am worried about father. He seems not the same 
 of late. He does not sleep well, is generally restless and 
 even lagging in his work." 
 
 Mother wept silently into her kerchief. I tried to pet 
 and console her as best I could. 
 
 "Now run over to the Wellmans and join the girls." 
 
 "I promised to call next Sunday," I remarked. 
 
 "If I were a young man I would cherish every hour 
 that I could be with that dear girl. Now go, young Mr. 
 Man." 
 
 Mother dismissed me with a tender kiss. The flowers 
 in the window next door called: youth had its way and 
 I left mother. 
 
MR. MAN 53 
 
 VI. 
 
 I think the two weeks following this fourth Sunday 
 of September 1914 comprised the most trying epoch of 
 my life. I was torn between happiness and sorrow. 
 Ann Mary grew to mean to me a great deal. Perhaps 
 more than either of us dared to admit. Why should we 
 not dare? She was lovely womanhood personified and 
 I would be able to support her the way she was used to. 
 Well, from childhood up we lived too near to one an- 
 other, I guess, and so we had to get acquainted all over. 
 There is such a vast difference between playmates and 
 lovers. It took us just two weeks to realize that we 
 belonged to each other. It was again Sunday, two weeks 
 after our first walk. In coming home to supper from 
 a walk with Ann Mary I just blurted out my secret. 
 Oh, how glad they all were. Had I but fathomed that 
 my love to Ann Mary would make them so happy I 
 should have summoned courage to bring them the glad 
 tidings long before this. I loved them so dearly that 
 there was nothing I would not have done for them. I 
 think I should have loved my Ann Mary just to please 
 them. The fact that I did not have to pretend, added 
 much to my happiness. Late in the evening we parted 
 as the happiest family that ever lived. Father took par- 
 ticular delight in telling me how he will turn over to me 
 the small property on the day of our wedding and that 
 ihe will take charge of the post office. Unk had asked 
 him to share his burdens, and that would keep him from 
 idleness. 
 
54 MR. MAN 
 
 "1 am pretty much tired and worn out and it will be 
 the proudest day of my life when I make you master 
 of the household, Mr. Man of mine." 
 
 Poor father, little did he realize that I should become 
 master of the house much before the time he had set for 
 it. The following morning he was dead. We were pros- 
 trate. Mother was the bravest of all of us. Ann Mary 
 came over early in the morning, carrying a huge bimch 
 of somewhat withered wild flowers and placed them on 
 our dead father's breast. No explanation was needed. 
 Mother glanced at me through her tears. Ann Mary 
 opened her mouth as if she was going to say something. 
 I could not control myself, took her into my arms and 
 we were betrothed to each other at the side of father's 
 deathbed. 
 
 Why dwell on sentimentalities. 
 
 Mother was too brave a woman and too good a mother 
 to brood over something she could not alter. There was 
 much to do around the house and sisters kept busy with 
 her. 
 
 Fr. John came to the funeral. The services over, 
 mother, sisters, the Wellmans and Unk lingered around 
 the new grave, adorning it with flowers. The silence 
 was too much for Unk. 
 
 "Beloved friends," he started, "the doctor from the 
 city said my friend died of heartfailure. Let me tell 
 you, the doctor was wrong. A man like this cannot die 
 like that. His heart may have given out, but it did not 
 fail. A true heart never fails. Your father," addressing 
 me, "was true to his Maker, true to his family and his 
 
MR. MAN 55 
 
 country and so we have no business to grieve over his 
 parting, for, verily, he has entered into his just reward." 
 
 Our hearts said "Amen" and we started homeward. 
 
 How empty the house seemed with father gone. It 
 was mother's wish that I should occupy father's room 
 forthwith. 
 
 "You are Mr. Man now, and I know you will not only 
 occupy your father's place but also fill it. He held out 
 great hopes for you. Follow his example and be true 
 to your name." 
 
 vn. 
 
 Father John was right that fourth Sunday of Septem- 
 ber 1914. America got into the war. When the news 
 came there was not one moment's hesitation. I was the 
 first to enlist. I never even asked mother. Had I done 
 so, she would have been surprised. Ann Mary, whom I 
 married shortly after father's death, asked me when the 
 call came, if I knew what camp I would be sent to. I 
 realized my duty, yet the courage of these two dear 
 women made it so much easier for me. They gave me 
 a nice send-oif . Together with the other Hopeview boys 
 that had enlisted, Unk tendered us a farewell party, and, 
 of course, he made a speech. 
 
 "Gentlemen of the United States Army, I wish to tell 
 you in behalf of the entire community, that we are 
 mighty proud of you. You have joined the army of a 
 nation which could not stay out of this struggle because 
 she realized that she had to join hands with those who 
 are fighting autocracy, for centuries the menace of 
 
56 MR. MAN 
 
 human welfare. If I said we were proud of you I must 
 admit that you likewise have a very good reason for 
 being proud. You hail from one of the small hamlets 
 of these great States, but this fact will, if anything, spur 
 you on to become the equals of those who had by far 
 better advantages than you, coming from large places. 
 You have courage and faith. Faith in the just cause 
 and in your determination to live up to it. You may 
 never return to Hopeview again, but your memory will 
 always live among us." 
 
 Unk was shaky. He aged much these three years. 
 But he was the same old Unk, except that of late he 
 never mentioned his being an agnostic. 
 
 Before leaving for camp Ann Mary and I went to 
 father's grave, where I promised him in silent prayer to 
 be mindful of it, that whatever my task will be, small 
 or great, I shall stay humble because I did not want to 
 fail. 
 
 Mother, Ann Mary and sisters were perhaps braver 
 than I when we parted. There were silent tears, of 
 course, but we all felt as if I was just going on a trip, 
 sure to return. 
 
 Camp-life was both a novelty and a revelation. And 
 in recalling Unk's farewell speech I often thought he was 
 just a little mistaken as to the so-called advantages of the 
 boys who came from larger places. I found that we 
 from the villages were quicker to adapt ourselves to the 
 wholesome if very strict military discipline. Of course, 
 we did not know how long we would have to stay in 
 camp, so we plunged whole heartedly into our new pro- 
 
MR. MAN 57 
 
 fession of becoming trained soldiers. Ann Mary, mother 
 and I exchanged letters frequently and it was a great 
 relief for me to know that they stood it so bravely and 
 that all went well at home. 
 
 "Do not worry about us, sweetheart. We are all right 
 and we hope to get you back soon," my wife wrote. 
 
 "Remember your father, my boy," was the refrain of 
 mother's letters. I was resolved to do so. 
 
 Somehow all of us in camp were hoping never to see 
 the front. We were no cowards and ready enough to do 
 our duty, but the idea of killing did not seem to appeal 
 to us very strongly. This idea seemed predominant 
 although we never spoke of it. Then we received our 
 marching orders. We were to break camp forthwith and 
 to start for New York, embarking thence for France. 
 No details were given, and no questions asked. Soldiers, 
 so we learned, as a rule do not talk much. I had enough 
 time to mail letters to Ann Mary, mother, sisters and 
 Unk, as well as Fr. John, asking the latter to be good 
 to the women folks and to look after them. I could not 
 give them any address, so I told them I would write as 
 soon as I reached New York and then, I said, I hoped 
 to be able to give them a forwarding address. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The trip to New York was interesting if uneventful. 
 My first trip was from Hopeview to camp and now I 
 was on my way to the metropolis. The newspapers Fr. 
 John provided Hopeview with during the past three 
 
58 MR. MAN 
 
 years did much towards giving me a better idea of the 
 East in general and New York in particular. I was 
 anxious to see the big city and felt proud in the anticipa- 
 tion of getting first hand information of the center of 
 American life. That was what I thought New York 
 to be. 
 
 I enjoyed the trip immensely, which was quite natural, 
 and the change of scenery was soothing for my troubled 
 mind. For I am not ashamed to admit that I was 
 troubled. Mother's health was not what it used to be 
 and if it was hard on me to leave her just when she had 
 gotten used to my taking father's place, I knew it must 
 have been doubly hard on her. Ann Mary was a great 
 comfort to me. I knew she would stand by mother dur- 
 ing my absence. No, I did not worry about my little 
 wife. I knew she was a brave and sensible woman ready 
 to meet any emergency. And Rosie and Beth, I knew, 
 would also stand by mother. All Hopeview loved Ann 
 Mary and mother; so humanly speaking I had no oc- 
 casion — as I liked to tell myself — not even an excuse to 
 worry. So I reached New York with a comparatively 
 easy mind. 
 
 I had a most delightful surprise waiting for me. Two 
 letters from Hopeview. The dear women were evidenly 
 gifted with a keener foresight than their new soldier, as 
 they sent letters in care of the post office and when we 
 were told that we may inquire at the post office we did 
 so and great was my joy upon receiving these letters. 
 One was from mother, the other from Ann Mary. 
 
 Mother wished me godspeed, assuring me that all was 
 
MR. MAN 59 
 
 well and asking me to write a long letter. My wife's 
 letter was not as cheerful as I anticipated. She said she 
 was not feeling so well of late. If I ever prayed heartily 
 I surely did that night, praying to God that he protect 
 my little wife. 
 
 We were told that our marching orders had been 
 changed and we were given five days furlough. Having 
 been established at camp we spent our leisure hours in 
 exploring New York. I resolved to join the rest for want 
 of anything else to do and perhaps more to ease up my 
 mind. I began to get worried. In my dreams I saw Ann 
 Mary coddle a little bundle and heard a small voice coo- 
 ing. Then I saw mother and the sisters make a great fuss 
 over Ann Mary and the little bundle and I wanted to be 
 with them. The bugler's morning call brought me back 
 to realities. 
 
 IX. 
 
 I read over again the two letters with a devotion as 
 though I were reading a prayer. Oh, how anxious I felt. 
 In putting mother's letter back into the envelope I noticed 
 an additional sheet of paper in it. Taking it out, I found 
 it to be another letter evidently written the same day : ' 
 
 "Unk has left us for good. The other day he was 
 found dead, sitting at his desk, pencil in hand. Miss 
 Goodwin is heartbroken and all Hopeview is in mourn- 
 ing. Poor Unk did much good, even if he was a little 
 queer at times. 
 
 "Fr. John came to the funeral, which was attended 
 by the whole town, just as when father died. And the 
 good old priest broke the tradition. You know he 
 never preached a farewell sermon. He did not believe 
 
60 MR. MAN 
 
 in it and it is not at all necessary. God will judge 
 and nothing else counts when we are once gone. Well, 
 after Unk was buried, Fr. John said that the late Mr. 
 Man senior, meaning your father, would no doubt 
 wish to reciprocate what Unk had done for him, re- 
 ferring to the few words Unk had said at father's 
 grave. So Fr. John said that he wished to remind the 
 people of Hopeview that Unk had done a great deal 
 for them and that they should remember him in their 
 prayers. 
 
 "Before leaving the cemetery we visited father's 
 grave and I told him he need not worry about you and 
 that you will live up to his name, which is now yours. 
 "Mrs. Wellman and I went over the next day to 
 Miss Goodwin to help her look after things and while 
 cleaning up the desk we found a letter in one of the 
 pigeonholes. It bore the address 'To my dear people 
 of Hopeview,' with the additional legend 'I wish this 
 letter to be opened at my death by Miss Goodwin and 
 its contents to be communicated to my two most 
 trusted friends, Man and Wellman.' Miss Goodwin 
 opened the letter and began reading it aloud but could 
 not get far for she was overcome with grief. She 
 handed us the letter and we read it, Mrs. Wellman 
 and I. In his letter poor Unk tells his story; how he 
 came from a wealthy family and how he eloped with 
 Miss Goodwin, daughter of his father's partner in 
 business and how they came to Hopeview in search of 
 gold and how they dreamed of a great fortune with 
 which they would build up a model town, with a stone 
 church, school, factories and all. Then he goes on 
 telling how it was eating out his heart for having 
 caused his wife such disappointment, and that both 
 of them were too proud to admit failure and stayed 
 right on the spot and how they had started Hope- 
 
MR. MAN 61 
 
 view. And further, he goes on thanking Miss Good- 
 win for her love and self-sacrifice and asks her for- 
 giveness as well as that of the townspeople. 
 
 "We had guessed most of the contents of this letter, 
 but we were surprised at their open admission and 
 felt the more sorry for Miss Goodwin. By the way, 
 she is going to stay with the Wellmans and Mrs. Well- 
 man and I will take good care of her. Ann Mary's 
 father will take charge of the post-office and young 
 Ben will look after the store, the bulk of the proceeds 
 to go to Miss Goodwin. She says she wants the 
 money to erect a monument to Unk. Of course the 
 letter will not make the rounds and we shall keep 
 and guard the secret. 
 
 "I felt so sorry for the poor woman and my heart 
 was just yearning for you and father, but 1 must not 
 complain. I have got the two girls and Ann Mary, 
 and may God give me a little grandchild to coddle 
 until you return. And, mind you, my boy, should you 
 find me gone you will know where you can find me 
 and come out and tell father and me about it. 
 
 "God bless you, my child." 
 
 This letter kept my thoughts running. All the memories 
 of Hopeview came back to me like a panorama. Poor 
 Unk. Yet, after knowing what a disappointed life he had 
 had I felt relieved that he was gone, and that Miss Good- 
 win would be well taken care of. And how I wished 
 that mother's wish should come true and that all should 
 go well with my dear folks. I did a great deal of thinking 
 and wishing, and was on the point of getting moody when 
 my room-mate called. 
 
 "Say, Man, how about going to the city?" 
 
 I put the letters in my pocket and rose to meet the 
 
62 MR. MAN 
 
 young soldier, who, by the way, was my corporal. In 
 accordance with his wish, I just called him by his first 
 name, Dick. A lively chap he was, full of life and enthu- 
 siasm. He hailed from Boston, where his father was a 
 banker. A rich man's son then, with all the earmarks of 
 one, but I must say in the good sense of the word. He 
 was rather imassuming even if affected with a certain 
 bragadoccio. A regular city fellow, had traveled a good 
 deal and when the call c£une he enlisted as a private. He 
 thought he would see this war through starting at the 
 bottom. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Dick and I obtained our leave. On reaching New York 
 my friend wanted to see some one at the Custom House, 
 so we started thither. I kept my eyes open and tried to 
 take in all that came my way not knowing whether I 
 would ever again have the chance of seeing New York. 
 The architecture of the Custom House seemed rather im- 
 pressive and the hustle and bustle inside did not strike 
 me as in keeping with the dignity of the structure, but 
 Dick told me efficiency was the thing that counted and 
 that the rest did not amount to much. He seemed to 
 be well informed, for no matter what question I asked him 
 he was ready with an answer. 
 
 From the Custom House we went to Battery Place. 
 
 "You see. New Yorkers are wonderful people; they 
 think of everything. See that little hut over there ? Well, 
 that's the place we are headed for." 
 
 "What might it be?" 
 
MR. MAN 63 
 
 "One of the many agencies of the W. C. C. S." 
 "Of the what?" 
 
 "The War Camp Community Service," Dick explained 
 somewhat impatiently. "Shortly after we got into the 
 war, an organization arose over night which made it its 
 purpose to look after the boys that get to New York. 
 Now they have similar organizations all over the coun- 
 try. You see, the people, and especially the women, 
 realize it that the boys ready to start for the front need 
 a little encouragement, a little cheering up. Not that 
 they are despondent or gloomy, or anything. No, my 
 friend. The American boys are going to war in just 
 as matter-of-fact a way as if they were going to business. 
 It is their duty, so they do it and they might just as well 
 do it well. Yet, we are all human beings and once in a 
 while our heart will feel a little heavy when we think of 
 our loved ones, and then comes the thought that we may 
 perhaps never see them again. This War Camp Com- 
 munity Service is a great thing. Come, let me show you 
 how it works." 
 
 A few minutes later we stood in front of the W. C. 
 C. S. hut at Battery Place and in another minute we had 
 all the instructions and information necessary for a sight- 
 seeing trip around New York, and tickets of free admis- 
 sion to a number of places. 
 
 "Who is financing this enterprise ?" I asked Dick. 
 
 "The people. The rich and the poor alike. Mostly 
 the rich though," he replied with some air of satisfaction. 
 
 Later on I had occasion to learn that the rich as a 
 class did in proportion much less than the poor. I have 
 
64 MR. MAN 
 
 heard of a grand masquerade given by some rich people 
 at one of the famous New York hostelries. The affair 
 was arranged for some war charity and some of the 
 features of this ball were severely criticized from not a 
 few pulpits. But what really interested me in this con- 
 nection was to learn that this ball, including costumes, 
 food, flowers, special entertainers and rent and all cost 
 well over one hundred thousand dollars and netted for 
 the war charity it was held for the grand sum of sixteen 
 hundred dollars. I thought these rich people might have 
 done much better by taking up a collection among them- 
 selves and turning over the proceeds to the particular 
 cause, thus saving themselves a lot of unnecessary trouble 
 and others considerable annoyance. Maybe I do not 
 understand these city folk. You see I never had been 
 anywhere outside of Hopeview until I left for Camp. 
 
 Dick took me to the Stock Exchange. When getting 
 into the "pit" we attracted considerable attention. Sol- 
 diers do not seem to be frequent visitors there, but I 
 guess Dick's influence got us in. A very dignified look- 
 ing gentleman with white whiskers chatted with Dick for 
 a while and was kind enough to honor me with a nod 
 when my friend introduced me. In a few minutes the 
 place began to get lively. Everybody seemed to get in- 
 terested in something and all tried to talk at the same 
 time. At first I thought some one had started a quarrel. 
 Dick bade me keep quiet and watch. 
 
 "Now you will see some fun," he said. 
 
 Well, I admit it was funny enough to see well-dressed 
 and serious looking men jump to and fro and yell at the 
 
MR. MAN 65 
 
 top of their voices and all at the same time. The digni- 
 fied looking bewhiskered friend of Dick's offered a de- 
 cidedly comical sight, all unruffled, heated up, with his 
 necktie askew, acting and looking like a madman. When 
 later on I learned what it really all meant, that this was 
 the place where the prices of stocks and in consequence 
 of the commodities and necessities of life are being fixed 
 and that conscience had to stand back in a corner shame- 
 facedly while reckless speculators are playing with the 
 fortunes of others, I did not think it was so funny. 
 
 "What seems to be the matter with these people?" I 
 asked Dick on leaving the Stock Exchange. 
 
 "The matter ?" he asked in turn wonderingly. "Why, 
 nothing, my boy. This is the Stock Exchange and that 
 is the way those gentlemen are doing business." 
 
 "What kind of business ?" 
 
 "I am afraid you do not understand," Dick impatiently 
 said. "If one does not know what the Stock Exchange 
 means and what it stands for, it is hard to explain. I am 
 afraid you would not grasp it all," and dismissed the 
 subject. 
 
 It seemed to me Dick was somewhat affected by our 
 short presence at that famous place and I could not help 
 wondering whether there was not something vitally wrong 
 with an institution that was supposed to be of vital im- 
 portance to the commonwealth and the workings of which 
 were unknown to the masses. Well, I thought, may be 
 it is not proper for a country boy to try to find out 
 things. 
 
 From the Stock Exchange we walked on through nar- 
 
66 MR. MAN 
 
 row Nassau Street, passed a somewhat clumsy and un- 
 washed looking building which Dick pointed out to me 
 as the Post Of&ce and arrived upon a clean square. Right 
 in front of us stood a neat, yellow building of two stories. 
 It impressed me as the residence of a rich man whose 
 wealth did not go to his head. It appealed to me in its 
 unassuming elegance and the American flag waving from 
 its mast added much to its dignified appearance. 
 
 "This is the City Hall of New York," Dick explained, 
 
 Of course, we had no City Hall at Hopeview, so I did 
 not appreciate Dick's telling me that this was the place 
 where liie Mayor, the head of the municipality, held his 
 office, and in walking around the building Dick told me a 
 whole lot about different offices located in the building, 
 then we came upon the Hall of Records and stopped in 
 front of a very tall building which Dick told me was the 
 Municipal Building. 
 
 "Years ago," he went on, "the City Hall was large 
 enough to hold all of the city offices. By and by they 
 added the Municipal Court, then the Hall of Records and 
 lastly this magnificent structure," meaning the Municipal 
 Building. "And even so, there is not room enough for 
 all the offices, many of them being located at the Wool- 
 worth Building." 
 
 He turned about and I followed suit. 
 
 "See that tall building," pointing at a structure that 
 seemed to me like a combination of a church, a theatre 
 and thousands upon thousands of stone blocks. "That's 
 it. The tallest building in New York, at present. You 
 have heard of it of course." 
 
MR. MAN 67 
 
 I pleaded guilty to ignorance, upon which Dick went 
 on telling me how the man who gave his name to the 
 building started out as a grocery clerk at three dollars a 
 week and that to-day there were himdreds of Five and 
 Ten Cent Stores scattered all over the country all belong- 
 ing to this same man, who died recently leaving a f ortiuie 
 of several dozen millions of dollars. 
 
 "And all in thirty odd years," Dick finished with an 
 air of mingled admiration and satisfaction. Of course, I 
 could not help being amazed by this statement, but some- 
 how I could not quite grasp how legitimate business could 
 grow by such leaps and bounds. 
 
 Perhaps I did not understand what "legitimate" busi- 
 ness meant. At any rate I did not bother Dick with what 
 I thought he might take for irrelevant questions and fol- 
 lowed him into the lobby of the Municipal Building. 
 
 We took an elevator to the top floor. The speed of 
 the "lift" was amazing if not uncanny. Then we came 
 down a few floors, alighted from the elevator and walked 
 along the corridor as Dick wanted me to see how won- 
 derfully this building was equipped. Much as I appre- 
 ciated the perfect appointments, I wished Dick had fore- 
 gone this pleasure. As we passed by several offices it 
 seemed to me so strange that there should be so many 
 people housed in this building whose occupation as indi- 
 cated by the legends on their doors had evidently nothing 
 to do with the administration of the municipality, while 
 ESck had just told me that this Municipal Building had 
 been erected for the sake of accommodating a number 
 
68 MR. MAN 
 
 of the city's offices. And when, on our way down on the 
 elevator Dick repeated in a casual way that a number of 
 city offices are located in the Woolworth Building, I be- 
 came still more puzzled. How is it, I thought, that the 
 City of New York had to erect a huge structure to accom- 
 modate several of her ofiSces and now a considerable space 
 of this building was occupied by all sorts of private firms, 
 while some of the city offices had to seek shelter in an- 
 other building, paying no doubt high rent, while there was 
 a building that had been erected just for their accommo- 
 dation. 
 
 Had I asked Dick about this I expect he would have 
 told me in his kindly, at times condescending manner, that 
 a boy hailing from Hopeview is not supposed to under- 
 stand the ramifications of the administration of a city as 
 large as New \York. 
 
 In front of the Municipal Building Dick hailed an 
 automobile, explaining to me that it was what the city 
 people call a "taxi." 
 
 "Well, how does New York look to you?" he asked 
 me as soon as the taxi got started. 
 
 "It looks good enough as far as the looks go, but I 
 must admit I felt sort of confused and puzzled." 
 
 "What is the matter now?" 
 
 "There is nothing particularly the matter, only the 
 contrast between the presumptious appearance of the 
 buildings we have seen with the strange impressions I 
 gained make me feel almost uneasy. I remember, years 
 ago, when I was a small boy the postmaster of my home 
 town got some olives. He ordered them from the city 
 
iMR. MAN 69 
 
 and when the shipment came the townspeople bought the 
 whole supply. We got one bottle like the others and 
 mother had quite some fim with it. After having tasted 
 one of those strange green pills she thought they should 
 be cooked first. Finally we ate them. I must have got- 
 ten a bad one for I had a bitter after-taste for some time. 
 Strange to say I felt the same taste when we left the 
 Stock Exchange and then again the Municipal Building." 
 
 Dick smiled, condescendingly. "Never mind, old man. 
 I can radily understand that a city like New York would 
 puzzle you after having spent all your life in the back- 
 woods." 
 
 The taxi had started at high speed but had to stop 
 soon at almost every corner. "And now we are going to 
 one of the swellest places there is in New York and shall 
 have some real lunch after all the army fare." 
 
 While riding in the taxi I naturally observed the 
 buildings and the people on the street. I did admire the 
 tall buildings and all but I felt strange. While watching 
 the people it seemed to me they were all in a hurry, which 
 was quite beyond me. On reaching the corner of what 
 Dick told me was Broadway and Fourteenth street there 
 was such a mixup of street cars, trucks, automobiles and 
 pedestrians that I thought a collision of some sort was 
 unavoidable. When we got headway on Broadway I 
 could not help telling Dick that I was glad we were safely 
 out of that muddle. 
 
 "What a mess," I said. "Every automobile seemed 
 to try to get ahead of the other and the people acted like- 
 wise." 
 
70 MR. MAN 
 
 "Well, my boy, New York is a very busy place. There 
 is not time for lingering. Everybody is looking out for 
 himself." 
 
 I agreed with him. At Broadway and Thirty-fourth 
 Street I witnessed another muddle like that on Four- 
 teenth Street but when we finally got to Forty-second 
 Street then I saw the worst. The traffic policeman on 
 the corner seemed to do his level best to keep order but 
 he might as well not have been there. I just simply mar- 
 veled that we did not get smashed to pieces. 
 
 Dick's good humor seemed to rise with every turn of 
 the taxi's wheels. Finally we stopped in front of a 
 neat brick building in a narrow street. 
 
 "Here we are," Dick said, jumping out of the taxi. 
 He paid the driver and we walked into a lobby. "This is 
 the Biltmore, one of the swellest places in the world. 
 Now you will see New York at its best. Come along." 
 
 We checked our hats and then proceeded through an- 
 other lobby up into the main dining-room. The surround- 
 ings were more than luxurious. A very dignified looking 
 gentleman in black ushered us to one of the tables. We 
 sat down and another man, likewise in black, but con- 
 siderably less dignified than the first one, came and busied 
 himself around the table. Then came a third one who 
 brought two large, sumptuous looking pasteboard folders. 
 It was the bill of fare. 
 
 "Man, the sky is the limit. Remember you are my 
 guest and the best is just good enough for Uncle Sam's 
 fighters." While I was studying the bill of fare a fourth 
 waiter came and brought ice water. 
 
MR. MAN 71 
 
 I thought the water must not be good or else they 
 had too much of ice in New York, as the day was com- 
 fortably cool. But what did I know of city life ? 
 
 While trying to wade through the bill of fare, I could 
 not help recalling Dick's words of a little while ago that 
 here I should find New York at its best. I always thought 
 New York was the metropolis of America, and with my 
 countryfied way of thinking, I naturally concluded that 
 the metropolis of a country should be the mirror of the 
 land. I did not like the many French, Italian and Spanish 
 names on the bill of fare. Do not all the New Yorkers 
 speak English? Well, pretty soon I found out that they 
 did not, indeed. While our meal was in full course I 
 watched people around me and was more than surprised 
 to hear them talk in almost every language but English. 
 This aroused in me some thoughts which interfered con- 
 siderably with my enjoying the meal, which, owing to 
 Dick's extravagance was very sumptuous. But Dick 
 seemed to be in his element. I must say, the food was 
 good and so was the music. The tunes came from a dis- 
 tance and Dick volunteered the information that the 
 orchestra was hidden behind palms and shrubbery. 
 
 "Never mind," he remarked, sipping at his cham- 
 pagne, "shortly you shall hear some music more dis- 
 tinctly." 
 
 Sure enough after a little while the subdued music 
 ceased and an orchestra struck up with full force. It 
 seemed to me too noisy, but then I am not a music critic. 
 No sooner had the loud music started than the diners 
 started to rise and leave their tables. I followed them 
 
72 MR. MAN 
 
 with my glance and you can imagine my amazement upon 
 noticing that the men and women were headed for a 
 vacant space on the floor and in another minute they 
 were dancing. First I was puzzled, then I just could not 
 helj) laughing. 
 
 "Man, what struck you?" exclaimed Dick somewhat 
 harshly. "Remember you are at the Biltmore and please, 
 for my sake, do not attract undue attention." 
 
 I knew by this time that we could not attract much 
 attention with our uniforms as plain soldiers. I have seen 
 men in all sorts of uniforms scattered all over the place. 
 Privates, Colonels, Generals, French and Italian officers. 
 So he must have referred to my laugh. 
 
 "What struck me?" I asked in turn. "Well, Dick, I 
 could not help laughing when I asw all these people get 
 up from their tables and dance in the middle of the day." 
 And I was almost disgusted, perhaps Dick noticed it. 
 The music grew louder and louder and sounded less and 
 less like music. It seemed to me I heard someone blow- 
 ing on a comb covered with tissue paper. We used to 
 make that kind of noise at Hopeview, years ago, but even 
 with our uncultured minds we would never have dared 
 call it music. And how they danced! They jumped 
 around and wiggled and some of the dancers leaned very 
 close together and most of them had flushed faces. Of 
 course, I never heard of people dancing during their mid- 
 day meal. I thought dancing was a diversion all by 
 itself. 
 
 But then what do a country boy's thoughts amount to ? 
 
 Dick must have guessed my thoughts and feelings, for 
 
MR. MAN 7Z 
 
 soon we left. He called for his check and I happened to 
 see that he paid with a twenty-dollar bill. When the 
 waiter returned with the change my host dismissed him 
 with a nonchalant wave of his hand. For our hat checks 
 Dick also paid with a bill of some sort. We left the Bilt- 
 more silently. Dick seemed to be displeased. I felt sorry 
 for I thought I caused his displeasure. 
 
 "What's wrong, my friend?" I said. 
 
 "Wrong? There is nothing wrong with me, but if I 
 am not mistaken, there is something vitally wrong with 
 you." 
 
 "I do not quite get you, if you don't mind my saying 
 so," I parried. 
 
 "Well," said Dick disgustedly, "here I bring you to 
 this swell place and you show no signs of appreciation" — 
 
 "Pardon me," I interrupted, "you are mistaken there. 
 I surely do appreciate your generosity, but if you refer 
 to what we have just seen I must admit I do not appre- 
 ciate it." I thought I would have my say while I had 
 a chance. "When we entered that place you told me I 
 should see New York at its best. And what did we see? 
 A place bearing an atmosphere that is everything but 
 American, filled with people who must dance while they 
 are supposed to eat. And how they danced and to what 
 music. Whew !" 
 
 For some time we walked along silently, I watching 
 the crowd ; Dick seemingly brooding over something. 
 
 "You must not mind my frankness, Man," Dick finally 
 broke the silence, "but I think you are a bore. Or else 
 your education has been somewhat neglected. You are 
 
74 MR. MAN 
 
 passing judgment over people and things you do not know 
 the first thing about. One has to be a man bred in the 
 city to imderstand these people." 
 
 "I grant you, Dick, that I do not understand the New 
 Yorkers. But I guess I have my eyes open and can see 
 for myself. And if I see apparently intelligent people 
 dancing at noon time, it surely makes understanding them 
 very difficult." 
 
 "Go on, we better drop the subject and let us take a 
 good walk in Central Park." 
 
 I did not press the point as I did not like to argue, so 
 we strolled along towards the park and talked about the 
 weather and things, saying nothing in particular. Mean- 
 while I thought there must be something wrong some- 
 where, and it occurred to me that father once said there 
 was something in the air and that people expected some- 
 thing to happen. Perhaps, I thought, these poor New 
 Yorkers were restless and feeling the under-current of 
 impending events, were forcibly leading their thoughts 
 into channels of vague pleasure. 
 
 * 
 I liked the park, but to tell the truth, it did not come 
 up to my expectations. Altogether, I liked the park with its 
 trees and baby carriages and people and I could not help 
 thinking of Ann Mary. And thus I got restless and the 
 fresh air and the foliage were restful and refreshing. 
 People seemed more like themselves here. The autos, of 
 course, were in as much of a hurry as downtown, but the 
 pedestrians seemed rather more composed. As it was 
 
MR. MAN 75 
 
 early in the afternoon, I was somewhat surprised to see 
 quite a number of able-bodied men strolling around or 
 sitting on benches. They certainly did not look like 
 gentlemen of leisure. Was there no work for them or did 
 they not want to work ? 
 
 A country boy's thoughts are sometimes bothersome 
 and annoying, but what's the use of having brains if one 
 cannot even think? 
 
 Dick did not seem to get over his moodiness and I did 
 not wish to disturb him. After a while we sat down on 
 one of the benches and talked about our impending trip 
 abroad and got so interested that the harmony was soon 
 re-established. Then we took a ride along Riverside 
 Drive on a green auto bus. Of course we went up on 
 top and Dick pointed out the most conspicuous residences. 
 I had learned my lesson, so I did not blurt out my 
 thoughts, but to be frank, many of the no doubt very 
 expensive buildings impressed me as out of tune and 
 grotesque. 
 
 But what do I know of modern architecture? 
 
 We went up to Grant's Tomb, which I liked very 
 much. Here is something truly American, I thought, to 
 myself, of course. Then we went back to Central Park 
 and Dick showed me the Museum. My heart beat 
 proudly. A very remarkable collection of the best mas- 
 ters, and antiques of apparently very high value made me 
 feel good. Of course I did not say so to Dick or else he 
 might have wondered how I came to know about things. 
 Well, he did not know that some country boys do read 
 and learn. After father left us Fr. John got interested 
 
76 MR. MAN 
 
 in me, and through his kindness I had an opportunity to 
 read many a good book. Dick was a good sport, after all. 
 He regained his gentlemanly comppsure and seemed to 
 have forgotten all about my lack of what he called appre- 
 ciation. Soon we were on Fifth Avenue. 
 
 "Look, there is one of the leading department stores 
 of the country if not of the world." The building looked 
 good enough and was very large, occupying an entire 
 block all around. I asked Dick to go in which he gladly 
 did. 
 
 "You better buy some souvenirs for the folks at 
 home," he said. "Here you can get everything you could 
 think of." 
 
 We walked through all the aisles of the ground floor 
 and I was eagerly looking around for something appro- 
 priate to send home to Ann Mary, mother and the girls. 
 There was a counter with handbags. Beaded work, 
 clumsy, yet attractive. I picked up one and asked the 
 price. "Thirty-five dollars." I dropped it before saying 
 something that would have surely displeased my host. 
 Dick bought himself a small pocket book of brown leather 
 for which he paid eight dollars. I did not buy a thing. 
 There was nothing that would have appealed to the plain, 
 but as I thought, sane tastes of my folks. In passing out 
 of the store my attention was attracted by one of the 
 window displays. In the centre I noticed a bed-spread. 
 It looked so nice and I thought how nice it would be for 
 Ann Mary. So I induced Dick to go back and asked the 
 price of that particular bedspread. 
 
MR. MAN 77 
 
 "That is a real bargain, sir," said the saleslady, who 
 looked and was dressed up as if she owned the place. 
 "This is imported from France and was especially made 
 for us." She was kind enough to summon a boy, telling 
 him to bring in the bedspread. It was beautiful. So 
 dainty and fluffy and sweet. 
 
 "Only three hundred and fifty dollars," the sales- 
 lady explained cordially. I am so glad I did not let out 
 what was on the tip of my tongue. Of course I did not 
 buy it. In the first place, I did not own that much money. 
 Then I did not think it was worth that much, so we 
 left. 
 
 What an impertinence for a Hopeview boy to pretend 
 any knowledge of values of finery. Mother had some 
 laces and I remember Ann Mary's lace shawl, but these 
 must have been of much inferior quality. 
 
 We turned the corner to Lexington Avenue which I 
 rather liked. The houses seemed inviting and the street 
 was comparatively quiet and the few pedestrians we met 
 did not seem to be in such a hurry. We walked along a 
 few blocks and lo and behold, there I saw the exact 
 replica of the bedspread I had seen at that "wonderful" 
 department store just a short while ago. There it lay nice- 
 ly spread out over a brass bedstead in the window of a 
 little shop. From the legend on the window I judged it 
 was some sort of an art shop, apparently owned by a 
 foreigner. I got interested. 
 
 "Dick, do you mind if I step in here for a minute ?" 
 "No, indeed," he replied. "Somehow I like this place 
 
78 MR. MAN 
 
 myself," and so he came in with me. The first thing I 
 inquired about was the bedspread. It was promptly 
 shown me by an elderly, refined looking lady, who evi- 
 dently did not speak our language for she called for some 
 one. A bald-headed, gray-haired gentleman entered from 
 the back of the shop and courteously explained that this 
 spread was made on the premises, and in his broken 
 English, seeing that I was a private, almost apologetically 
 said that he thought the article was rather expensive. 
 
 "How much?" I asked. 
 
 "Seventy-five dollar," the shopkeeper said. "You see 
 this expensive, hand work, much lace. Beautiful, eh?" 
 
 Of course it was beautiful, and when he saw I was 
 not going to buy it, he seemed embarrassed. 
 
 "Too much, sir?" he asked. 
 
 I frankly told the shopkeeper it was more than I could 
 spend and apologized for having troubled him. I think 
 I must have gotten a breath of New York's air for I 
 resorted to a fib. 
 
 "We have just seen a bedspread very similar to this 
 up on Fifth Avenue, but we did not want to bother. When 
 I noticed this one here I just could not resist." 
 
 "Si, si," the shopkeeper said complacently and I 
 thought with some pride, "We make for those people 
 work." 
 
 "Is that so?" I thought. Dick came to the rescue. 
 He bought the bedspread and left orders to have it sent 
 to his mother in Boston. I bought a cap for Ann Mary, 
 some ribbons for sisters and an apron for mother. 
 
 In leaving the store I wondered what my dear folks 
 
MR. MAN 79 
 
 would think of my extravagance. My purchases amounted 
 to nine dollars, but I liked the articles and felt that they 
 would be more than welcome. I wondered also how it 
 was that an article which you can get on Lexington Ave- 
 nue for "seventy-five dollar" and which was made right 
 here, should sell a few blocks further up on Fifth Avenue 
 for three hundred and fifty dollars and as imported goods. 
 But, then what did I know of business. People evidently 
 want things imported. American-made products do not 
 seem to be good enough for Americans. So they are told 
 this and that is imported goods and why should the stores 
 not charge exhorbitant prices as long as people are fools 
 enough to pay. 
 
 * 
 
 "Let's take in the "movies'," Dick said in leaving the 
 little shop on Lexington Avenue. So we did. Half- 
 dressed women, bandits, little children, wild animals 
 whizzed before our eyes on the screen. Then came a 
 conglomeration of nonsense that was called a comedy. 
 If any one in Hopeview tried comedy such as we saw 
 there, I am afraid our good-natured townfolk would have 
 lost their temper. And how the people roared and ap- 
 plauded ! The next number was a song. The words were 
 reflected on the screen and a girl came out on the dark 
 stage and sang. Her voice was sweet and clear and the 
 song one mother would have liked. I enjoyed this num- 
 ber hugely and sent a kindly thought to the manager o£ 
 the theatre, who evidently had some mercy left for his 
 fellow beings. When the chorus was flashed on the 
 
80 MR. MAN 
 
 screen, the singer asked the audience to join in. There 
 was hardly any response and the applause she got was 
 very faint, indeed. Dick just took the show for granted 
 and offered no comment. Why then should I disturb 
 him ? But somehow I felt that strange taste of the over- 
 ripe olive I ate years ago at home. 
 
 To my great relief, Dick did not take me to any other 
 ptlace of amusement, at least not right away. Instead, we 
 stopped in at one of the many clubs for soldiers, which 
 are maintained by the War Camp Community Service for 
 the benefit, housing and entertainment of soldiers going 
 abroad as well as for those coming home. By a mere 
 chance, we happened to pick out a soldiers' club that had 
 been organized under the auspices of John M. Farley, 
 the recently deceased Cardinal Archbishop of New York. 
 And I must say I felt right at home here. The place was 
 on one of the quiet streets within easy access to the rail- 
 road stations, as well as the various attractions, well ap- 
 pointed, with every possible comfort, but without ex- 
 travagance. Any one in uniform was welcome and all 
 his reasonable wishes were complied with. Bedrooms, 
 baths, an excellent library, writing and smoking rooms 
 and very good food made one feel more in a home than 
 at a club. The prices were extremely reasonable, the 
 club being maintained not for profit but for the accom- 
 modation of soldiers. If one has money, one is expected 
 to pay, if not, one is welcome just the same. And if a 
 soldier gets stranded he is being looked after as if he 
 were a millionaire. Dick and I made the rounds of the 
 
MR. MAN 81 
 
 building and then spent a very pleasant hour in the ad- 
 joining writing and reading rooms respectively. I availed 
 myself of the opportunity to write home, and in my letters 
 to mother and Ann Mary told about the sights I had 
 seen omitting remarks that might make them think New 
 York was not all that it is cracked up to be. Why spoil 
 other people's illusion, and why judge harshly? 
 
 "I suggested that we take supper right at the Farley- 
 Club to which Dick readily consented. We got acquaint- 
 ed with a number of officers, soldiers and marines and I 
 felt very much like spending the rest of the evening at 
 the club, but Dick told me he had secured seats to one of 
 the theatres, so we left in time for the show. They 
 played "East is West," a very pretty story of a little 
 Chinese girl who falls in love with a European man trav- 
 eling in China. There is much trouble, and the man's 
 family object to his interest in the Chinese girl, but 
 through the kindness of the clever playwright it leaks out 
 just at the psychological moment that the supposed Chi- 
 nese girl is the daughter of a Christian missionary, and so 
 all ends well. I liked the play and the actors. They were 
 fine. It was a wholesome, clean play, but I could not see 
 for the life of me why they had to spoil it with a stupid 
 scene in which a missionary tries to teach the heroine how 
 to "shake the shimmy." Heaven knows I am a red- 
 blooded man, but this silliness was more than I could 
 stand so I remarked about it to Dick during the inter- 
 mission. 
 
82 MR. MAN 
 
 "I told you already, Man, you do not understand the 
 New Yorkers," he said. 
 
 "And I admitted before that I did not and also said 
 that the New Yorkers make it hard for strangers to 
 understand them. At the Biltmore they had to spoil their 
 dinner with dancing at noon to some terrible music. And 
 now they are spoiling this perfectly lovely play with that 
 stupid shimmy business," I retorted. 
 
 "Well, Man, the shimmy is the rage now, and people 
 are so highstrung and so restless that they just crave 
 light amusement. If a producer wants his play to take 
 he has to insert something that appeals to the less high 
 instincts." 
 
 I did not continue the conversation, but was deter- 
 mined to ask Dick after the show about that shimmy. It 
 seemed to me so stupid that I wanted to know all about it. 
 
 "Dick, what is the shimmy 1" I asked my host on leav- 
 ing the theatre. 
 
 "Man, I do not know what it is and no one else seems 
 to know. It is the rage, that's all there is to it. I could 
 talk my head off and could never explain it to you. But 
 I am going to show it to you first hand." 
 
 And so he did. We crossed over to a perfectly re- 
 spectable looking restaurant. It was called some sort of 
 a palace and a nice bronze plaque near the entrance said : 
 "French cuisine. Cabaret, Dancing." I thought I had 
 gotten a little taste of the French cuisine and dancing, but 
 I must admit I did not know the first thing about a 
 cabaret, so my curiosity was somewhat aroused. Upon 
 
MR. MAN 83 
 
 entering the very large and very lavishly if garishly 
 appointed dining room I did not notice anything par- 
 ticular about it. The empty, polished floor in the cen- 
 ter I knew was for dancing. There was an orchestra 
 of a dozen men in one corner of the dancing floor, and 
 another one up on some sort of a balcony. The latter was 
 supposed to furnish music for the diners, the one upon 
 the floor for the dancers and for the cabaret. We 
 occupied a table assigned to us and I was rather sur- 
 prised to see so many men in uniform. Can they afford 
 to pay the exorbitant prices charged in such places? 
 
 Most of them were privates, corporals and sergeants. 
 But what is this of my business to ask such foolish ques- 
 tions ? 
 
 I shall not dwell very long on my experiences in this 
 place. I have seen the shimmy and have heard a Jazz 
 band. And I had just enough. The thing was so un- 
 expected that I really was more amazed than disgusted. 
 A very good looking, young, well built woman appeared 
 upon the dancing floor and danced around and around, 
 making all sorts of gyrations. It was not any of the 
 dances I knew of, yet it was good to look upon, as she 
 performed very well. Then the dance grew wilder and 
 wilder and finally she stopped in the center of the floor 
 and began to shiver. That is, I thought she shivered and 
 turned to Dick, asking him what was the matter with 
 the girl. 
 
 "She is shaking the shimmy," with an understanding 
 smile. 
 
84 MR. MAN 
 
 Well, I know now that if a woman, very scantily clad, 
 tries to appeal to the lower instincts of man by revealing 
 all of her charms then she is shaking the shimmy. And 
 how the people yelled, and applauded and encored ! Many 
 of them were well advanced in years, old enough to be 
 grandparents. The thing was so stupid that I laughed, 
 since I was not supposed to swear out loud. We did not 
 stay to the end of the show and on leaving I again felt 
 that funny taste of an over-ripe olive. 
 
 Isn't it funny what strange notions a country boy will 
 get? But since Dick himself admitted that the people 
 were restless, I said to myself, they must be very restless, 
 indeed, and in continuing my thoughts, I was wondering 
 if too much of restlessness is not apt to lead to some sort 
 of trouble. 
 
 I had my first ride on the subway. We went down 
 to the station on Times Square and had a good half 
 hour's walk in the labyrinth-like gangways until we found 
 out we did not know where we were. 
 
 "Take the shuttle to Grand Central and then take the 
 express to the ferry," said a guard with apparently un- 
 exhaustible patience. What a mess. "Follow the green 
 line" and "Follow the black line" and a number of other 
 instructions seemed enough to confuse even a born New 
 Yorker. 
 
 I was told the New Yorkers were highly intelligent 
 and efficient people, and could not quite grasp it how they 
 could stand for such a nonsensical mess as this subway 
 arrangement offers. 
 
MR. MAN 85 
 
 Finally we reached Grand Central Station and got out 
 of the shuttle to board the express train. A train pulled 
 in well filled. There were several dozen people standing 
 at each door. When the train stopped at least three times 
 as many people tried to jam into the cars as there was 
 room. The particular car which we boarded was just 
 jammed. We were pushed in edgewise. We were packed 
 like sardines and it was plainly visible that there was no 
 more room, yet, up to the minute the doors began to 
 close, people tried to crowd in and were not a bit nice 
 about it. When the train started I noticed a young lady, 
 crowded in with us, her hat all askew, her clothes de- 
 ranged from the crowding. 
 
 These poor New Yorkers must be very, very restless, 
 indeed, I said to myself. And it seems there is not very 
 much consideration abroad, either. Young or old, man 
 or woman, you get pushed in the subway. No, I won't 
 tell you that I again felt that funny taste of an over-ripe 
 olive. Maybe my impressions are misleading me. Per- 
 haps the New Yorkers, like people living in other cities, 
 do not mean to be rude and they just cannot help being 
 restless. Well, I was glad when I reached my bunk at 
 Camp and there was no more sight seeing for me. 
 
 I thanked Dick for his hospitality and he regretted 
 that I did not enjoy myself fully. I did not tell him that 
 if I did not enjoy myself in the meaning of the word as 
 used in common parlance, I learned a good deal, to which 
 he would have said, no doubt, that one cannot learn much 
 in one day. I think, however, I had enough. 
 
86 MR. MAN 
 
 The next morning I awoke with a mingled feeling of 
 annoyance and amusement. In recalling the events of our 
 sight seeing tour I felt almost sad. Then I made up my 
 mind to forget it all and plunged full tilt into Camp life 
 while awaiting marching orders. I went to New York 
 quite frequently, always stopping at one of the soldiers' 
 clubs and spending a few pleasant hours there. Then our 
 orders came. The day before embarkation a letter came 
 from mother. They had received my gifts and thanked 
 me very profusely. 
 
 "I shall keep the pretty apron you sent me and wear 
 it on the day of your return home. It is too fancy for 
 me to wear around the house. Ann Mary sends you 
 her best love. She needs considerable care these days 
 and I am so glad I may call her my own. She is such 
 a dear, bless her heart. Rosie is helping me a great 
 deal, and Beth is doing Red Cross work. Miss Good- 
 win organized an auxiliary and we are all very busy. 
 
 "Of course, my boy, we are proud of you that you 
 went forth with the others to do your duty by your 
 country, but we do miss you and we wish it were all 
 over with. But I must say one thing for the war; 
 I really do not know the first thing abotit its real 
 meaning, but it has brought us all mighty close to- 
 gether. As if an unseen voice were calling out to us, 
 tailing us ever and again 'You all belong to one family, 
 be kind and loving to each other'." 
 
 "Do not worry about Ann Mary. She will write to 
 you soon. Father's grave is nicely kept and I know 
 you will think of him." 
 
 I kissed this letter over and over again wondering 
 whether there would be any more letters for me from 
 mother and Ann Mary. 
 
MR. MAN 87 
 
 XI. 
 
 Mrs. Man had anxious days at Hopeview and the 
 days extended into weeks and months. No news from 
 her son and Ann Mary was ill. Not that she despaired. 
 No. She knew the cause of her daughter-in-law's illness 
 and trusted to God for a good outcome and she had no 
 fears for her son, for she was a sensible American woman 
 and a very brave mother. Her boy, she was satisfied, was 
 in the care of Uncle Sam, in good hands, and should it 
 fall to her lot to lose him on the field of honor she will 
 have done only what thousands of other American 
 mothers were doing and should her boy's supreme sacri- 
 fice be demanded to help humanity in its struggle for 
 freedom she will bow her head in humble consent. Yet 
 a mother's heart has the tmdisputed right to long for her 
 loved ones and there were quite a few at Hopeview who 
 shared her thoughts. Ann Mary was well established at 
 the Man home and the girls as well as her mother together 
 with Miss Goodwin helped Mrs. Man carry the burdens. 
 Somehow, with all the bravery she could summon and in 
 spite of it, the mother thought, some word should have 
 come from her boy before this. Several months had 
 passed since his last letter reached her, written the day 
 before his embarkation. She thought she was entitled to 
 know how her son was faring or what had happened to 
 him. After the day's numerous tasks were over Mrs. 
 Man sat at the window, the same where her son sat next 
 to her on the floor not so very long ago and so many 
 times as a little boy. Her thoughts were with the 
 
«8 MR. MAN 
 
 American Expeditionary Forces and she fondled a bundle 
 of letters in her lap. Two silent tears rolled down her 
 cheeks and fell on her hand and then she stirred. She 
 naust not give way to fears and worries; she must be 
 brave. Her daughter-in-law needs her, and, God willing, 
 there will be soon another young life that shall need her 
 loving care. All was quiet. Rosie and Beth were making 
 bandages with Miss Goodwin in the adjoining room and 
 Mrs. Wellman was on the second floor with her daughter. 
 The setting sun cast a mystic light over the landscape, the 
 reflection of which on the trees and flowers seemed like a 
 very fine dew. She thought how beautiful and kind and 
 thoughtful nature was. As if the last rays of the receding 
 sun were telling her: "Never you fear. I am gone but 
 for the night and shall be with you again on the morrow." 
 And as if the reflections on the trees and flowers were 
 -whispering to her; "Mother of Man, we may look like 
 tears, but we bring comfort and strength." Mrs. Man 
 dried her tears and just got ready to read her boy's let- 
 ters, one of her favorite pastimes, when the door opened 
 quietly. 
 
 "Good evening, sister," greeted Mr. Wellman, placing 
 his hat upon the table. 
 
 Mrs. Man, just a trifle startled, looked up. Something 
 like mingled fear and joy passed over her kindly face, 
 but just for the fraction of a second. 
 
 "God bless you, neighbor. You almost scared me." 
 extending her hand by way of welcome. 
 
 "No need for fear, my dear woman, I have good news 
 
MR. MAN 89 
 
 for you," and then Wellman went on telling her how 
 he had intended calling all day, but could not get away 
 from the post office. "Just closed shop and my first 
 thought was to see you. Our little post office is a very 
 busy place these days, you know. Everybody is sending 
 or expecting letters, not to mention the many packages 
 and things." 
 
 He took up a chair and moving it close to Mrs. Man 
 sat down. 
 
 "I am sure this will give you great joy. Came this 
 morning. Read it for yourself," handing her a news- 
 paper, nicely folded up so that an item marked with heavy 
 pencil was on top. 
 
 Mrs. Man took the paper and it gripped Wellman's 
 heart to see her frail hand shake. Not that he thought 
 the mother was afraid. Yet it touched him to the core. 
 
 Mrs. Man held the paper for a while and pretended 
 at reading. Finally she handed it back to Wellman. 
 
 "Will you please read it for me," with a voice that 
 had just a scintilla of tremble in it. 
 
 Wellman took the paper, ready to read. Then at 
 second thought he stopped short. 
 
 "Don't you think we had better call in the rest of 
 the family?" 
 
 "Yes, neighbor, let us call them." Mrs. Man rose 
 and called her daughters and Miss Goodwin. Then turn- 
 ing to them she said: "Mr. Wellman says he has good 
 news from our soldier. Here it is," pointing at the paper 
 in Wellman's hand. "But we must not be selfish. Let 
 
90 MR. MAN 
 
 us go up to Ann Mary and her mother. They are just 
 as much entitled to hear as we are." 
 
 She led the way up stairs on tiptoe, the rest following 
 in her wake. Upon reaching the second floor they found 
 the door leading to Ann Mary's room ajar. The young 
 woman slept quietly as if smiling, her mother's hand rest- 
 ing on her bosom. Mrs. Man opened the door more 
 fully and quietly they entered. A sign to Mrs. Wellman 
 told her not to move. Then she turned to Wellman, 
 standing at the threshold, lamp in hand. 
 
 "You surely are thoughful," Mrs. Man smiled at her 
 neighbor, "and now proceed." 
 
 Wellman put the lamp on the small table next to the 
 door and while holding one hand over the light so as to 
 shield his sleeping daughter he read : 
 
 "Sergeant Man, U. S. A., of Hogeview, has been 
 
 cited for exceptional bravery in action. Having been 
 
 previously awarded the Croix de Guerre, his name 
 
 had been sent to American Headquarters slating him 
 
 for the Distiijguished Service Cross." 
 
 That was all. Just a small item among the many 
 military dispatches but, oh, how much it meant. Mrs. 
 Man went to her daughters and holding them in her arms 
 wept quietly. None was able to speak but they all felt 
 so happy and thankful, for the news. indicated that their 
 soldier lived up to his father's name. Not that they 
 doubted it for a minute that he would, yet the assurance 
 of it filled their longing hearts to the brim. Of course 
 they all asked themselves "Is he still alive?" but none 
 dared utter it. Mrs. Man then approached the bed, bent 
 
MR. MAN 91 
 
 over Ann Mary and kissed her on the forehead. Then 
 she turned to Mrs. Wellman, faUing into her arms. The 
 next minute she again regained her control. Ann Mary 
 stirred, then opened her eyes and looked around wonder- 
 ingly. The next minute she smiled. Then as if a shadow 
 of anxiety was passing over her small face. 
 
 "Hush, my child," Mrs. Man assured her. "Your Man 
 is a hero," stroking her face ever so tenderly. That was 
 all. Ann Mary again closed her eyes and the rest left 
 the room, leaving only Mrs. Wellman behind. On reach- 
 ing the lower floor they all chatted for a while. Their 
 voices might have been just a trifle pitched as if they 
 were speaking behind tears, but withal they had them- 
 selves well in hand. Wellman left. Miss Goodwin and the 
 girls resumed their work and Mrs. Man resumed her 
 chair at the window, her boy's letters on her lap. Here 
 they found her sound asleep and carried her gently to her 
 bed. 
 
 "Beth, I think darling mother is happy," Rosie whis- 
 pered to her sister. "See, she smiles, bless her heart." 
 
 The next day had still greater joy in store for Mrs. 
 Man. Ann Mary gave birth to a sturdy little boy, a 
 bouncing nine-pounder. He came in the wee small hours 
 but the good women did not wish to disturb grandmother 
 and thought to let her know only after all was over with. 
 At about seven o'clock she came from her little bed- 
 chamber, headed straight for the kitchen. There she 
 found the table all set for breakfast, a big bunch of pop- 
 pies in front of her plate. What does this mean? she 
 
92 MR. MAN 
 
 thought. The next minute she was headed for the stairs 
 and Rosie fairly ran into her mother. She was upstairs 
 and when they heard the mother stir she came to meet 
 her. 
 
 "Good morning, mother dear. Ann Mary is asking 
 for you." 
 
 Mrs. Man looked at her daughter. The happy coun- 
 tenance of the girl told her the story, and how she hur- 
 ried up^ stairs. 
 
 Ann Mary was sleeping peacefully, alongside of her 
 a little head was sticking out from underneath the cover. 
 Mrs. Wellman came forward. "It's a boy," she whis- 
 pered, upon which Mrs. Man went to the bed and knelt 
 alongside of her grandson. A silent prayer was all she 
 needed. On rising she led the way downstairs and they 
 had a happy breakfast, indeed. 
 
 If Dick, Man's friend of the New York sight-seeing 
 tour, could have witnessed what had transpired in this 
 home these last Irwenty-four hours he would have been 
 man enough to admit that these plain backwoods folk 
 were gifted with an admirable amount of self-control, 
 which could be rightly called courage. 
 
 Breakfast over every one took up the regular duties 
 in the household. The only break in the routine was 
 that Mrs. Man walked over to the post office to ask Mr. 
 Wellman to communicate with Fr. John about the bap- 
 tism of her grandson. How proudly she pronounced this 
 word. And how pleased she was to learn that the neigh- 
 bor-postmaster had already done so. On her way back 
 
iMR. MAN 93 
 
 home she stopped at the little cemetery, placing one of 
 the poppies that adorned the breakfast table upon her 
 husband's grave. He surely got the message. 
 
 Two days later Fr. John came. The baptism of the 
 littlest Man was an event at Hopeview. There were no 
 festivities or any sort of celebration, but all the hearts 
 of these good townsfolk united in joy and thanksgiving 
 with the happy and proud grandmother. The only out- 
 ward sign of jubilation was the wild flowers carried by 
 every one of those who could attend the ceremony, which 
 was held in the little church that once was Unk's front 
 parlor. The boy was named after his father. After the 
 priest and the crowd had left, Mr. Wellman joining 
 them. Young Ben, who shut up his shop for the morn- 
 ing, put things aright in the little church. In leaving 
 he gathered up all the flowers from the chairs where they 
 were left and carried them to the cemetery. There he 
 strewed the flowers upon Mr. Man's grave, lingering 
 for a minute. Then he bethought himself and took a 
 goodly handful of the flowers, putting them upon Unk's 
 grave. 
 
 "What a nice speech he would have made were he 
 to witness the services. Well his spirit was with us, 
 anyway," he murmured to himself. 
 
 Fr. John was the honored guest of the Man house- 
 hold for an hour or so. They had a delightful visit, the 
 priest and the two families. Some people called to stay 
 but for a few minutes and Mrs. Man was promised by 
 Fr. John to see that the hero-father should get the glad 
 
94 MR. MAN 
 
 tidings via the Red Cross. Beth sat wistfully through 
 the visit, saying very little. When Fr. John rose ready 
 to leave, she app^roached him. 
 
 "Father," holding out both her hands, "When you 
 write to the Red Cross, please tell them that I wish to 
 enlist as one of their nurses." 
 
 The good priest taken by surprise, looked first at the 
 girl, then at Mrs. Man. He was not a man of many 
 words but he felt it was his duty to make sure. 
 "Has Beth your consent, Mrs. Man?" 
 
 "Bless my soul. Father. She never told me about 
 her intention to become a Red Cross nurse, but I rather 
 anticipated this and I am so proud and happy," the 
 mother said taking her younger daughter into her arms. 
 
 Fr. John took Rosie's hand. "And like a good girl 
 you will stay with mother, I trust." 
 
 "Yes Father. I knew of Beth's secret desire and we 
 had decided that she shall go and I will stay with mother. 
 Beth thinks some one of the family should be with our 
 soldier." 
 
 The priest smiled. "My dear child, have you any 
 idea how utterly phantastic this plan of Beth's is ?" 
 
 "Yes, Father. She may never find him. Yet, we 
 decided that the very fact of her joining our fighting 
 forces will make him feel happy, even if she should never 
 find him, and should it be his destiny to give his life for 
 the cause, he will surely know of Beth's sacrifice and 
 bless her for it." 
 
 At this Beth disentangled herself from her mother's 
 embrace and joined the priest and her sister. 
 
MR. MAN 95 
 
 "I am oflfering no sacrifice, Father. Indeed, I am 
 just trying to do my duty as an American woman," she 
 said decidedly. "If there is any sacrifice, I think it's 
 Rosie who is offering it for it was she who first wanted 
 to go. But then she thought she better stay with mother, 
 being the eldest and having more experience around the 
 house." 
 
 "Well, my children, I am satisfied, as long as your 
 mother is not being left alone." 
 
 Mrs. Man stood near by watching this scene, worthy 
 of the brush of a great master. 
 
 In parting Fr. John seemed deeply moved. 
 
 "The world need have no fears as long as true family 
 spirit prevails among Americans." 
 
 The days and weeks and months dragged a little for 
 Mrs. Man but not as much as had been the case recently. 
 Of course, she missed her children, but her little grand- 
 son took up much of her time £md she had delightful 
 visits with the little fellow. She told him all about his 
 grandfather, and his father and his aunt and Napoleon. 
 
 "Perhaps father and aunty are somewhere near 
 where my cradle once stood, doing noble deeds for their 
 country and humanity, and grandfather is watching 
 them and God is protecting them. And when you grow 
 up to be a man, you will remember them all, and aunt 
 Rosie and grandmother and become a true American." 
 At night Mrs. Man would awaken and listen. 
 
 "Your son is a little darling, and mother is so proud 
 
96 MR. MAN 
 
 lOf you and so happy," she heard Beth whisper as from 
 far away. 
 
 "Yes, Beth, and we shall write her a nice long, newsy 
 letter," her son answered. Then she went off into dream- 
 land again. In the morning she always reassured her- 
 self that all was well with her dear ones. "We are in 
 God's hands and he is good," she would whisper to 
 herself. 
 
 Christmas came. This yuletide of 1918 was a busy 
 and a happy one. The anxious and so much tried world 
 knew by this time that armistice had been declared and 
 Mr. Wellman had to enlist Rosie's help to take care of 
 all the packages and letters that left Hopeview. 
 
 Young Ben had the little church all nicely fixed up 
 for the holidays and on Qiristmas' eve Fr. Andrews 
 came to give Hopeview the midnight mass. He arrived 
 early in the evening and went straight to the Man home. 
 
 "Good evening Mrs. Man," he said happily, taking 
 the frail woman to his heart. "May I buy my Christ- 
 mas supper of you?" 
 
 "Buy it? Why Father, you can have all we have 
 and welcome," she replied gayly. "By the way, what 
 price would you offer?" 
 
 "This, my dear lady," the priest said triumphantly, 
 reaching for his inner coat pocket and drawing forth 
 an envelope. 
 
 "Its from my children," Mrs. Man exclaimed and 
 fairly tore the letter from the priest's hand. 
 
 "I will say you guessed right, Mrs. Man. Fr. John 
 
MR. MAN 97 
 
 got it this morning. He is not feeling well and so it 
 looked as though Hopeview would have to go without 
 the usual midnight mass, but when this letter came Fr. 
 John forthwith made arrangements to obtain assistance 
 and sent me here." Then he took Mrs. Man's arm. 
 "Steady now, dear woman." 
 
 "Never you mind me, dear Father. I know it's good 
 news," she replied. And she started for Ann Mary's 
 room, asking the priest to send up Miss Goodwin and 
 to send for Rosie. No sooner said than Rosie appeared 
 in the door. 
 
 "Here I am, mother dear. Fr. Andrews stopped at 
 the post office and told me to come right home." 
 
 Mrs. Man gave the letter to Ann Mary, taking her 
 grandson in her arms. The young mother unfolded the 
 letter but her tears blurred her eyes. "I can't, mother." 
 
 Rosie took the letter and read it. 
 
 "A.E.F. Base Hospital, 
 
 Argonne Section, November 12, 1919. 
 
 "Mother of mine: — 
 
 "It is a long time since I last wrote to you and I 
 was afraid you might get anxious. 
 
 "Well, it's over with, thank God. And soon I shall 
 be with you" again. I shall not tell you much about 
 this war. I have been over the top near the Argonne 
 Forest and I thought of you when I got near your 
 home. I suppose you know I have won the Dis- 
 tinguished Service Cross and the French War Cross 
 and I imagine the folks at home are all proud of that. 
 
 Well, mother dear, I am not. In the first place I 
 
98 MR. MAN 
 
 do not think any man has the right to be proud for 
 having done his duty. In the second place it was all 
 too dreadful to be proud of. 
 
 "Remember, mother of mine, when Unk got us 
 those olives many years ago? I got a bad one and 
 somewhow time and again I get the same taste. 
 
 "I know all about you and Ann Mary and my little 
 son, and how Rosie stood by you and how good they 
 all were to you. And when a French general be- 
 stowed the War Cross upon me, and then later on 
 when my commanding officer pinned the cross on my 
 coat, you know what I thought of ? I recalled father's 
 words and did not push out my chest, but stayed 
 humble. The honors I have won cost the lives of 
 sons of other mothers; I felt sad. 
 
 "Let us hope all this horror is really at an end. My 
 Lieutenant, a rich man's son from Boston, whom I 
 called just Dick, and who was very good to me, told 
 me shortly after the armistice was declared, that he 
 thought it was not all over yet. To his way of think- 
 ing there were many problems to settle before the 
 world returns to normal conditions. He foresaw all 
 sorts of serious complications. He was brought here 
 with me and died a few days ago from a wound he 
 got in his head. His last words were; "Man, when 
 you get home look up my mother and tell her if I had 
 lived I would have been a real man". 
 
 "And a wounded Frenchman, who is occupying the 
 cot next to me always repeats, that if we had not 
 stepped in, Europe would have gone to pieces but 
 adds, that we do not realize what a tremendous task 
 we have undertaken. 
 
 "I guess our men at Washington and the folks at 
 home will join hands and set everything aright for 
 once more. 
 
MR. MAN 99 
 
 "I expect to be discharged from the hospital in a 
 week or so. Got a wound in my left hip. It was 
 not so bad. And my nurse helped a lot. She is a. 
 peach. But Ann Mary need not get jealous. 
 
 "A merry Christmas to all of you, mother dear, 
 and now look who's here". 
 
 "Your loving son, 
 Sergeant Man. 
 P.S. 
 
 "Dearest Mother: — 
 
 "The sergeant is not quit able to write for 
 himself so I did him the favor of writing this letter. 
 
 "It seems like a miracle, yet it is true. Two weeks 
 ago a large assignment of woimded soldiers was 
 brought in from another hospital. It was two o'clock 
 in the morning and I had not had a wink of sleep 
 in two days, but one gets used to hardship here. 
 
 "My ward was filled to capacity. The head nurse 
 made the rounds and ordered me to squeeze in two 
 more cots in a hurry. I had my troubles in obeying 
 her orders, but finally I managed, and no sooner did 
 I report to the hdad nurse when the stretcher bearers 
 brought two soldiers. They were all covered with 
 mud. One of them had his head all bandaged up, 
 while the other one showed no outward signs of a 
 wound. I set to my task and soon had them all 
 cleaned up. According to instructions, I took the be- 
 longings from their pockets, heaping them in two 
 separate piles between the two cots. I had no time 
 to look at them, besides, they both had a very heavy 
 crop of beards, so I could not recognize them. New 
 wounded came, I had to hurry and tied up the be- 
 longings of my two charges, numbered them, ran 
 over to the clerk, handed him the bundles and looked 
 
100 MR. MAN 
 
 after other patients. In about an hours time I re- 
 turned to the two soldiers. In the mean time, of 
 course, they had been shaved. Upon reaching the 
 first of the new cots I nearly dropped dead. You 
 know why. 
 
 "Too bad Lieutenant Dick had to die. He was 
 such a fine fellow. Refined and intelligent. 
 
 "Well, here we are, mother darling, safe and 
 sound, cotmting the days when we shall be able to 
 take you to our hearts. 
 
 "No, don't let us talk war. Let us be thankful it's 
 over with. 
 
 "Kiss the little Man for us, and his mother, and 
 Rosie and tell her she missed being blown to pieces 
 just by a few inches. 
 
 "We shall let you know when we sail for home. 
 It may take some time, as the transportation facilities 
 are very complicated and it might happen that I will 
 have to stay for a while. You see, the fighters are 
 not needed any more, but the nurses have their hands 
 full. So do not get worried if I should come later. 
 
 "Best love to all. 
 
 "Your devoted daughter, 
 "Beth, R. C. N." 
 
 14 
 It took much longer for me to recover than I had 
 expected. 
 
 "Sergeant Man you are discharged from the hos- 
 pital," said the commanding surgeon of the hospital one 
 nice morning of February, 1919. This news was wel- 
 come to be sure, but my joy was marred substantially by 
 
MR. MAN 101 
 
 the fact that I could not take Beth along with me. Sister 
 had been transferred to another hospital some two weeks 
 previous and I felt rather cheap at the thought of going 
 home with her working so hard. She was such a dear, 
 too. Nothing too much for sister, bless her soul. And 
 how they all liked her, patients, nurses, doctors, and all. 
 But orders are orders, so I determined to make the best 
 of the situation. So I limped to the office for further 
 instructions. I shall have to limp for the rest of my life, 
 as my hip-woimd proved to be more complicated than 
 I thought. 
 
 Yet I thought, it is better to limp homewards in one 
 direction than to fly heavenwards in several directions. 
 
 At the office I was handed my belongings, just as 
 Beth had turned them in when I was brought here. All 
 neatly bundled up. There I found my two war decora- 
 tions, a picture of Ann Mary and one of mother's letters. 
 Oh, how I loved them and how much these things meant 
 to me now. I felt so lonesome. If I had Dick, at least. 
 But there was not much time to be lost, so I reported 
 for transportation and waited for orders. It took a full 
 week before I was embarked, in the meantime I wrote 
 letters and was anxiously waiting for word from home. 
 It was now two months since I had a letter from Ann 
 Mary telling me that all was well except that mother 
 was not quite as alert as she used to be. The thought of 
 not seeing her again caused me such sharp pain that I 
 p/omptly dismissed it. No such thing as mother not 
 waiting for me. 
 
102 MR. MAN 
 
 All the horrors of war did not come as hard as hav- 
 ing to embark without a letter from mother. Our big 
 transport hove anchor and we reached Hoboken after 
 an uneventful and not even very interesting trip. There 
 were so many soldiers, maimed for life, that the sight 
 of them made your heart sore. These were the real 
 heroes, by heaven! How hopeful they were and never 
 a word of complaint. As I said, I stood the war pretty 
 well, but this trip unnerved me. I felt fairly well, was 
 dispatched to one of the debarkation hospitals in New 
 York, where I was to wait for orders to go to Camp, 
 whence I should be discharged. We were well taken 
 care of, but how the days dragged ! Those able to walk 
 were allowed to go in pairs, and I had to make new 
 acquaintances to get a partner. A young boy from Vir- 
 ginia, with his left arm gone became very much attached 
 to me. He was a fine chap and during our frequent 
 visits I noticed that he tried to be cheerful but could 
 not quite manage it. I was several years his senior, 
 besides my affliction was by far lighter than his, so I 
 took it upon myself to take him under my wing, so to 
 speak. I arranged to go out with him the next day, and 
 we had a nice walk and had a good chat. I thought of 
 Dick, poor fellow, and took my friend to the Farley 
 Club for dinner. The same dear place, but somehow I 
 felt sad at the thought of the many boys who should 
 never again see this place. Well, for their sake, I hoped 
 that the supreme sacrifice they so willingly brought will 
 help them in the great beyond. The meal over, I took 
 the young Virginian to the same movie theatre which 
 
MR. MAN 103 
 
 I had visited with Dick. The same blue murders and 
 nonsense and all, the same crowd cheering and clapping 
 and worst of all, the same girl came out to sing. Her 
 part was the best of the show but it hurt me to see how 
 flittle appreciation she got. She sang "Mother Machree" 
 and her words went right through my heart. And the 
 young Virginian sobbed quietly at my side. Oh, how 
 it all hurt. He told me afterward that both his mother 
 and sweetheart had died while he was away and, of 
 course, I did not bother him by offering commonplace 
 words of sympathy. I took his hand, and he stopped 
 sobbing. He understood. Had he been in a better 
 mood, I should have tried to take him to the places that 
 Dick had taken me to. I was anxious to know what 
 effect this great strife had on New Yorkers. Under the 
 circumstances this would have been a sacrilege. So I 
 took my young friend right back to the debarkation 
 hospital, where we had a nice talk and I was so glad 
 to see that he seemed somewhat cheered. 
 
 The day following we were to go out again to wit- 
 ness the parade of one of our returning victorious divi- 
 sions. We started out early in the morning and got 
 two seats for the grand stand on Fifth Avenue. The 
 W. C. C. S. was still on the job, and when the kindly 
 lady in the little hut on Greeley Square handed us the 
 tickets she told us to hurry up or else we might not be 
 able to get to our seats. The parade was to start on 
 Washington Square at nine o'clock in the morning. I 
 looked at my wrist watch. Eight five. Why, it will 
 take the parade a good hour before they reach Fifth 
 
104 MR. MAN 
 
 Avenue and the Public Library, so we started leisurely 
 towards the Avenue. Soon I felt disappointed. We had 
 little difficulty in getting to the cbrner of Thirty-fourth 
 Street and Broadway, but then the fun began. At least 
 I thought some people regarded it as funny. What a 
 throng, and how they pushed, and jostled and crowded. 
 I thought we had better play safe so I suggested that 
 we walk back to Broadway and walk up to Forty-second 
 Street. We took it for granted that my young friend's 
 missing arm and my limping would help us. No such 
 thing. We reached Forty-second Street all right but 
 when we turned around the corner we got stuck once 
 more. Old women, young girls, children were pushed 
 and crowded. No consideration, no respect. What a 
 mad crowd, I thought. I wondered if these people were 
 still as restless as Dick told me they were and whether 
 they still danced at midday and shook the shimmy. I 
 looked around for the young Virginian. The crowd had 
 carried him along. I called for him. Some rogue 
 laughed at my effort. Then as if a mighty hand had 
 pushed the surging crowd. I felt a sharp pain in my 
 wounded hip. 
 
 "Hold on. Stop for a minute, will you?" An 
 elderly gentleman, himself all disheveled, waved his 
 hand and yelled at the top of his voice. He yelled and 
 gesticulated until he attracted some attention. "A sol- 
 dier has fainted. Stop, make way, you brutes!" After 
 one moment's silence the pushing stopped. Then an 
 officer came, waving his stick over his head. 
 
 "What's up, here?" 
 
MR. MAN 105 
 
 "A soldier dropped," the elderly man shouted out of 
 breath. 
 
 "Stand still all of you," the officer commanded. The 
 crowd obeyed. Three or four men helped him make 
 way and they picked up the fainted body of a man in 
 uniform, badly treated by the crowd. 
 
 The officer was puzzled at first, "Don't meditate," 
 some one yelled. "Take him away." Then it occurred 
 to the officer to look at the soldier's identification badge. 
 
 "Sergeant Man," he murmured. 
 
 After a little while an ambulance drove up to the 
 debarkation hospital No. ? and the limp body of a sol- 
 dier was taken up stairs. The nurse in charge sent for 
 the surgeon, who in turn made a hurried examination. 
 
 "The poor fellow had been badly treated, but noth- 
 ing serious. Just a fainting spell. Put him to 
 bed quick." After having given his instructions the 
 surgeon went along to attend to his numerous duties. 
 
THE VISION 
 
 T was a beautiful Spring day, in the early 
 hours of the afternoon, as I was sitting on 
 the roof in a reclining chair, gazing around 
 me and breathing in the fragrant ozone. 
 Above me the clear, blue sky, below me 
 a well laid-out street with people walking to and fro 
 and vehicles and the nice trees edging the sidewalks broke 
 the monotony pleasantly. I was absorbed in thoughts, 
 my mind wandering here and there, in my heart a strange 
 desire, a yearning for something I was unable to define. 
 Withal I felt as one feels when recovering from a long 
 protracted illness. Of late I was much troubled with 
 ,this vague feeling. Was I alive? Where am I and how 
 did I get here? As I was basking in the sun the tense- 
 ness of my nerves relaxed, my subconscious restlessness 
 gave way to a feeling of pleasant fatigue and I drifted 
 away into slumberland. I must have had a good nap as 
 the sun had traveled a good way on the horizon when I 
 awoke, I prepared to rise from my seat when I felt a 
 hand resting gently upon my shoulder. 
 
 "You are wanted at the oflSce, sir," a gentle voice 
 whispered. I looked up, to meet the kindly look of a 
 nurse. 
 
108 MR. MAN 
 
 "Thank you, sister. I am coming presently," I re- 
 plied rising. I had some difficulties in so doing and at 
 first was wondering about it. 
 
 "Your cane, sir," the nurse, reminding me of my 
 need of it. I took the cane and limped towards the hall- 
 way. While on my way to the office it seemed so strange 
 to me why I should be limping. Unconsciously looking 
 behind me I noticed the good nurse, foUpwing me at 
 some distance. The good soul was not quite sure of me. 
 I stopped, the nurse approached. 
 
 "Pardon, sir, the seeming intrusion. I did not want 
 to take any chances, so I kept at close range." 
 
 "Do I really need to be watched?" I asked somewhat 
 impatiently. The nurse looked slightly embarrassed. 
 
 "You are quite yourself, again sir," she replied after 
 some hesitation. "But as you have been in my charge 
 for some time I felt it my duty to be near you in case 
 of any emergency." 
 
 "You say I have been your charge. You are a 
 nurse ?" 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 "Have I been ill, then?" 
 
 "Yes sir. You have been very ill, but thanks to your 
 sturdy constitution you overcame all the complications 
 of your illness and are discharged." 
 
 "Discharged from where?" 
 
 "From the National Memorial Hospital." 
 
 "Hospital? I must have been quite ill, then?" 
 
 "Quite so, sir." 
 
MR. MAN 109 
 
 "And you have had charge of me during my illness ?" 
 
 "Only during the last period of it." 
 
 "Oh thank you, sister," reaching for the nurse's 
 hand. We shook hands. "I hope I did not give you 
 much trouble?" 
 
 "Not more than could be expected in a case like 
 yours." Everything seemed hazy and cloudy and I had 
 to hold on to my cane. The next minute the nurse was 
 at my side, guiding me ever so gently. 
 
 "Be calm, sir. You must not faint again. Take 
 yourself in hand and live up to your name." I thought 
 there was just a faint shadow of reproach in that sweet 
 voice. 
 
 We walked down two flights of stairs and stopped 
 in front of a high door, which, on a neat brass tablet 
 bore the legend: 
 
 "Dr. Patience, Surgeon-in-chief." 
 
 The nurse opened the door, leading me. We entered 
 into a spacious, neatly appointed room, with a row of 
 chairs alongside the walls. The nurse bade me sit down, 
 and disappeared through another door to the left. After 
 a short while, the door opened and the nurse bade me 
 to enter. On the threshold she took my hand. 
 
 "Good luck to you this time, sir." The next minute 
 she vanished. 
 
 Upon entering the room I found myself in front of 
 a large desk. A professional looking gentleman in white 
 duck was busy arranging some papers. Then he looked 
 up. 
 
no MR. MAN 
 
 "Good afternoon, Mr. Man," he said with a firm 
 yet tender voice, "Be seated, glease." 
 
 I followed instructions. While doing so, I watched 
 the man's face. His eyes were clear and dark brown. 
 A straight nose sat well between the two wings of a 
 short mustache. The mouth was what you would call 
 that of a good man, the cheeks ruddy, showing some 
 wrinkles, which, however, did not become him ill. His 
 hair was slightly gray at the temples and in watching 
 the general expression of the face more closely it seemed 
 as if I had seen him before, a long time, perhaps ages 
 ago. And he called me such a strange name. Involtm- 
 tarily, perhaps by sheer force of habit I looked for the 
 nurse, for I again felt faint. 
 
 "The nurse has left you and you shall have to shift 
 for yourself from now on," the man broke the silence. 
 I listened and looked at him as if awaking from a deep 
 slumber. 
 
 "Yes, Mr. Man, you are well enough to take care of 
 yourself," the man continued. "I sent for you in order 
 to tell you this. Here are your papers and valuables and 
 some letters. Take good care of them" — 
 
 I rose to interrupt him, but he waved his hands, bid- 
 ding me to keep my seat. 
 
 "Calm yourself, Mr. Man. I know you feel strange. 
 This is quite natural after an illness like yours. Please 
 calm yourself, sir," he added urgently, evidently notic- 
 ing the painful surprise in my face, "You must be strong 
 and face the situation as your name would indicate. You 
 
MR. MAN 111 
 
 are quite well now. You fought bravely and even though 
 your case was a critical, almost a desperate one, your 
 constitution helged us a great deal. Please take your 
 belongings and sign this receipt." 
 
 At this I arose, approaching the desk mechanically. 
 The doctor gave me a pen and pushed a narrow slip of 
 paper before me. I took the pen with some hesitation. 
 "What shall I sign?" I asked embarrassed. 
 
 "Your name, of course". 
 
 My name. What was my name ? I asked myself. The 
 doctor must have been a good mind reader, for promptly 
 he dictated : 
 
 "Capital 'M', 'r' and 'period'. No, Capital 'M', 'a', 'n' 
 and 'period' ". Then he took the pen, blotted my writing, 
 pigeonholed the receipt, and handed me a small package 
 and a bundle of letters. 
 
 "And now, Mr. Mian go and take good care of your- 
 self. And thank you for having helped us pull you 
 through", the doctor said offering his hand. 
 
 I took his hand and presesd it. 
 
 "What are you thanking me for?", I could not help 
 asking. 
 
 "In case of serious illness", the doctor said, leaving 
 my hand go, "Three things are most essential; trust in 
 God, good attendance and responsiveness on the part of 
 the patience. The first you had from the start. We did 
 for you all we could and you helped us in doing so by 
 responding to our instructions". 
 
 "Then, in reality it is I who should thank you". I 
 averred confusedly. 
 
112 MR. MAN 
 
 "It is kind of you to feel that way but we never expect 
 thanks", the doctor garried. 
 
 "Thank you so much, doctor", I said deeply moved. 
 
 "Welcome, I am sure", was the simple reply. "And 
 don't leave your cane behind. You better hold on to it 
 for some time yet". 
 
 I took my cane, the package and letters and started 
 for the door. Then it ocurred to me to stop. 
 
 "Doctor", I said, making one step toward his desk, 
 "may I trouble you with a question?" 
 
 "No trouble, I assure you, what is it, Mr. Man?" 
 
 "Would you mind telling me who it was that led me 
 here?" 
 
 "Your nurse". 
 
 "My nurse"? 
 
 "Yes, Mr. Man. She had charge of you for several 
 years and I must say you were most fortunate in having 
 been assigned to her care. She is the best of her profes- 
 sion". The doctor was ready to assume his work at the 
 desk. "Well, my friend?", he queried in looking up. 
 
 "Please, what is her name? I should like so much to 
 thank her". 
 
 "You need not bother yourself. I am sure she re- 
 ceived all the thanks she ever expected to get by the 
 fact of your recovery. We are working silently but 
 diligently. Thanks, reward and recognition never enter 
 our minds. We even do not care to be known. But 
 since your case was such an exceptional one I shall make 
 on exception and tell you her name" .... 
 
MR. MAN 113 
 
 "Yes" ? I interrupted eiigerly. 
 
 "Charity", the doctor simply answered. "And good 
 good luck to you, Mr. Man". 
 
 I was dismissed. In reaching the wide corridor I 
 stopped for an instant, looking at the neat brass tablet. 
 "Doctor Patience and Sister Charity", I repeated to my- 
 self wonderingly. 
 
 * 
 
 Still somewhat dazed I walked along the corridor. 
 After a little while I noticed a grilled door, in front of 
 an open shaft. To the left a sign read; 
 
 "Those without affliction will 
 please use the stairs." 
 
 Was I afflicted? And what did all this mean? At any 
 rate I took to the stairs, looking around me and noticed 
 how neat and comfortable the appointments were. I also 
 noticed the entire absence of extravagance. I no sooner 
 reached the main lobby on the ground floor than I 
 was approached by a uniformed man coming from the 
 porter's loge. 
 
 "Gentleman to see you sir", he said deferentially. 
 
 "Where"?, I asked mechanically. Instead of an an- 
 swer the porter pointed at a door across the lobby. Just 
 when I was reaching for the door the knob gave way. 
 As if drawn by an unseen hand I entered the room. 
 
 "Here you are at last", a gentle voice greeted me, a 
 firm grip taking hold of both my hands. "You kept me 
 waiting a long while friend Man, but it was worth it 
 all", the stranger said warmly. Noticing my discomfort, 
 
114 MR. MAN 
 
 he discontinued. "Never you fear. Come, take a seat 
 and let us get acquainted," leading me to a comfortable 
 arm chair. "There", the stranger continued. "Make 
 yourself at home and after some brief introduction I 
 shall presently take you away from here". While speak- 
 ing the stranger looked at me as I thought only a mother 
 could look on finding her long lost child. 
 
 "You guessed it", the stranger said uncannily. "Yes, 
 friend Man, there were times, when I feared I should 
 lose you. But you survived and you shall enjoy good 
 health from now on". 
 
 I could not describe what I felt, I think it was a mix- 
 ture of awe, relief and perhaps fear too. He was 
 clean shaven and looked though he never had a growth 
 of hair on his face. His dark eyes looked at me reassur- 
 ingly and the kindly smile playing around his even mouth 
 seemed to contrast with the seriousness of the general 
 expression of his face. He was dressed in a dark grey 
 suit. The cut was good, the material seemed the best. 
 His collar was just the right height and a neat black silk 
 tie completed the altogether pleasing picture. There 
 was something dignified about him and upon noticing a 
 peculiar hat upon the table I was wondering who he 
 might be. I never had seen a hat like this. It was a 
 peculiar silk hat of black material, with a narrow band 
 and a comfortable wide brim. I noticed one brown 
 glove alongside of the hat, thereupon finding that he 
 wore the left hand glove. The free hand was that of 
 a man. Clean, strong, well kept but not 'manicured'. 
 
MR. MAN 115 
 
 I felt subconsciously thiat while I was observing him he 
 followed me with his eyes. In looking up I met his eyes. 
 What wonderful eyes, I thought. They seemed to speak. 
 
 "You are at a loss to place me", he finally broke the 
 silence. "This is a rather common occurrence to me. 
 Most people pass me by not noticing me. Yet, I am 
 always on the alert. I let no one snub me, nor coddle 
 me. I manage to keep an even temper and when hurt 
 am never aroused to anger. I hail from a very good 
 family, if I may say so." 
 
 How strange, I thought. This man certainly does not 
 seem to be conceited. Yet, how he talks. 
 
 "Again you guessed right, friend Man", the sti'anger 
 went on. "I am not conceited. Heaven forbid ! I could 
 ill afford such a weakness and besides my family would 
 not stand for any nonsense". 
 
 I seemed to lose my patience, or get anxious or some- 
 thing, so I blurted out; "For God's sake, who are you?" 
 
 "Steady, friend Man. Do not get excited. You can- 
 not afford it. You have been discharged as recovered 
 but you still need your self-control and shall always 
 need it." 
 
 "Yes, but who are you ?" I retorted. "You are speiak- 
 ing so strangely and act rather familar, referring to 
 your family and all that sort of thing. Please get me out 
 of this confusion." 
 
 "I am sorry to heiir you say that you are confused. 
 Most people are confused upon meeting me. Many 
 never meet me, playing the foolish game of an ostrich. 
 
116 MR. MAN 
 
 Many there are who spend most of their time in trying 
 to avoid me, yet I never lose track of any one and the 
 sooner we meet the better. I admit my appearance might 
 seem strange. Yet, if you will look closer, you will 
 admit that there is nothing strange about me. My face 
 is clear and not a bit repulsive. You see I dress well, 
 if quietly, and I think you have observed that my manners 
 are not bad. Of course all this is largely accounted for 
 by my descendance," in noticing my surprise, he waved 
 his hand patiently, "as I am of the best parentage". 
 
 "Yes, yes, but who are you?" I interrupted. 
 
 The stranger continued without having noticed my in- 
 terruption. "You think I am a stranger. Most people 
 do. As for you, I am rather surprised that you should 
 not feel as though you had known me. For many years 
 you have been in the closest touch with my relatives. 
 My father watched out for you, my mother kept up your 
 courage, my sisters in turn nursed you and my brother 
 was your doctor." 
 
 I looked at him in amazement. 
 
 "Yes, friend Man, it was indeed my father. Faith, 
 who watched upon you, imd my mother. Love, did not 
 let you lose courage, and Dr. Patience, my brother, min- 
 istered unto you assisted by one of my sisters, whose 
 name is Charity. It may seem strange that my sisters, — 
 and I have many, — should all bear the same name ; but as 
 they pursue the same profession, that of helping others, 
 all display the same zeal and ardor in doing what they 
 consider their duty, the name is really immaterial." 
 
MR. MAN 117 
 
 "But who are you?", I again blurted out. 
 
 "I am the best friend you ever had," he answered 
 solemnly. I stood at your cradle when you were born 
 and followed you step by step. Luckily, your home sur- 
 roundings were rather congenial, yet I should have fol- 
 lowed you, at any rate. Many times you tried to dodge 
 me, even though I think you very seldom realized my 
 nearness. I knew every one of your thoughts and never 
 lost patience with you, for I knew your inborn qualities 
 were good and that you would come out on top. You 
 were trying though, at times, and had it not been for a 
 certain tie that boimd us together, who knows but that 
 I had given you up." 
 
 "But your name, please", I said with apparent anxiety. 
 
 "We shall come to it presently," the stranger said 
 calmly. "I said I had been at your side constantly. Well, 
 there was a time when I felt inclined to leave you. You 
 got yourself into a dreadful mess and muddle. I warned 
 you, but you did not seem to heed me. From what I 
 have seen you do I thought you had gone mad. Then 
 my father. Faith, called us all into council and after 
 what he told us about you and your kind we decided to 
 be after you more ardently than ever. So I followed 
 your trail over ruins, and corpses, and broken baby car- 
 riages, amidst a roar and thunder of cannon and burst- 
 ing shells, with pestilence hovering all around, until they 
 brought you here. To be correct you were brought first 
 to another hospital, where you stayed for a short while, 
 thence you were transferred in turn to three or four 
 
118 MR. MAN 
 
 places, spending everywhere a few years until they 
 finally brought you here, whence you are discharged 
 now". 
 
 The stranger reached for his right hand glove on the 
 table, putting it on slowly. While I was watching him 
 as if in a trance, he again spoke. 
 
 "I was watching for you patiently wherever they took 
 you and I managed to communicate with you through 
 my relatives in a way rather unnoticed by you. You 
 had several very serious relapses, but we firmly resolved 
 not to let you go under, and now here you are yourself 
 again. In fact in better trim than you ever were and 
 your full recovery is all the reward we ever wished for". 
 
 "And your name?" I again asked. 
 
 "My name is as clean as my face, as neat as my dress 
 and as modest as nature in its Sunday best ; Truth !" 
 
 I rose from my chair and barely realizing what I was 
 about to do, I approached him and the next moment I 
 was kneeling before him, covering my face, trying to 
 hide my tears caused by a great emotion. 
 
 "Friend Man, rise", he said kindly, helping me to my 
 feet. "No one shall kneel before me nor before any of 
 our tribe. You may bow to my father, you may kiss 
 my mother's hand, and you may kiss my sister and take 
 my brothers hand. And as for me, you may love me as 
 if I were your brother, which I truly always meant to 
 be, but we need no demonstration of a servile attitude. 
 We expect you to keep your self-respect. You must live 
 up to your name, the greatest on earth", he continued, 
 
MR. MAN 119 
 
 handing me my cane. "Oh, what a fine name is yours; 
 'Man'. You see we are but your servants. We have 
 been sent to help you find yourself and all we expect of 
 you is sincerety. Traitors we dislike. Very much so, 
 indeed. But even traitors we do not forsake. We are 
 ready to stand even by them to the very last. If, in 
 spite of all our efforts, they throw us over, well, then, 
 sadly we step aside, leaving them to their deserts." 
 
 I lifted my face to Truth. Our eyes met and I felt as 
 if a heavy, thick veil had been lifted from my mind. 
 
 "And now come, friend Man. I have not been waiting 
 for you in vain all these years, I have found you at last, 
 and now I shall take care of you. You, in turn, trust 
 me and your confidence shall be amply rewarded". At 
 this he took my arm and led me out gently, yet firmly. 
 On Hearing the porter's loge, the uniformed servant 
 came forward, deferentially. 
 
 "'I am so glad you are well again, Mr. Man"', with a 
 smile of content. Then to my friend;" and I know you 
 will take good care of him. Truth". 
 
 "I sincerely hope friend Man will let me do so". — 
 "Caution, the porter, is a faithful servant," he said turn- 
 ing to me. 
 
 It was not before the following morning that I awoke 
 fully from what I thought was a trance. I foimd my- 
 self in a bedchamber with every reasonable comfort, but 
 no trace of luxury. A substantial walnut bed, two chdrs 
 to match, a neat washstand and a mirror completed the 
 
120 MR. MAN 
 
 furnishings of the room. The window was hung with 
 chintz and in making the rounds I noticed a picture 
 above the bed. At first glance, I could not quite make 
 it out. But, the longer I looked upon it the more thrilled 
 I felt. While dressing I returned again and again to 
 look at the picture and when fully dressed I stood in 
 front of it. While gazing at the picture with fascination, 
 I heard some one rap on the door. 
 
 "Come in", I said surprisedly. 
 
 In turning around I saw friend Truth in the door. 
 
 "Good morning, friend Man", reaching for my hand, 
 "I hope you rested well". 
 
 "Good morning. Truth", I answered, somehow un- 
 able to say more. 
 
 "Ah, I see this picture attracted your attention". Truth 
 ventured, trying to help me overcome my uneasiness. 
 "This is but a reproduction. You shall see the original 
 shortly. And now come. You shall have breakfast with 
 us. You are to meet the entire family." 
 
 "You are most kind to me", I offered, meekly, "with- 
 out even knowing me". 
 
 "How mistaken you are my friend. I and the rest of 
 our family know you better than you ever knew your- 
 self. We know your good qualities and we know your 
 failings and for all that we love you. And because we 
 love you we are trying very hard to help you. And, by 
 the way, I must ask you to be yourself, when and while 
 with us. There are two things we have absolutely no use 
 for; sham and pretence. These two ugly and foolish 
 
MR. MAN ■ 121 
 
 fellows are hanging around our house constantly, but 
 we never let them enter. So be just yourself. Besides, 
 it would not help you any if you tried to sympathize with 
 those two impostors, for we know you just as you are. 
 In fact we know every one of your thoughts. And do 
 not try to flatter us. Flattery is another one we have no 
 use for. Our houseman, Fidelity, is a watchful fellow, 
 having his hands full with keeping those pests from our 
 door, and our cook. Honesty, sees to it that Envy, Greed 
 and Hatred do not get too near, while our maid. 
 Modesty, keeps the premises clean. So you see you are 
 in good hands and you need no other introduction than 
 yourself with the sincere desire to make yourself at 
 home". 
 
 The breakfast was a most delightful affair. Truth's 
 relatives were kindness personified, but there was noth- 
 ing haughty about them. By way of comparing them 
 to myself I thought they surely were too good for me. 
 No condescension, no airs. Nothing but real kindness. 
 The breakfast over. Truth took me to the kitchen where 
 I met the help and found them to be in keeping with the 
 family. I felt as if I were walking on silvery clouds, 
 with the stars twinkling all around me, butterflies and 
 birds racing in the air and angels singing. I had a 
 goodly taste of heaven. 
 
 Truth again took my arm and I again felt that firm 
 yet tender grip, so invigorating. 
 
 "And now I shall show you the sights", he said, going 
 for my hat and cane. 
 
122 MR. MAN 
 
 Where have I heard these words before. 
 In leaving the house I noticed that Truth was without 
 his gloves. 
 
 "Thanks for your thoughtfulness", he replied. "When 
 out in the open I seldom wear gloves, I have them in my 
 pocket, though, ready to use them wherever the occasion 
 demands it". 
 
 "How strangely you speak", I remarked. 
 
 "I use the gift of talk to express my thoughts", he 
 replied gently. "I admit, my thoughts might seem 
 strange and out of tune at times, yet I never depart 
 from this habit. I have found I can be of good service 
 only in saying just what I feel and think. Whenever I 
 made concessions along this line, I always felt sorry 
 afterward. You see, you cannot play a double handed 
 game and win. At least not honestly". 
 
 "And what about your gloves?", I queried. 
 
 "Of necessity I come into contact with all sorts of 
 P^eople, for I am everywhere. Some people like the firm 
 grip of my hand. Others again resent the lack of mani- 
 cure. As I am desirous to serve every one, I am willing 
 to meet them half way. In fact, in many instances I 
 have won the confidence of people through trifling cour- 
 tesies such as meeting them with my gloves on or with 
 bare hands as I thought the occasion demanded it". 
 
 I thought how patient my friend was. How nicely 
 he £mswers all of my questions that must seem to him 
 so foolish. 
 
 "This time you guessed wrong", he interrupted my 
 
MR. MAN 123 
 
 thoughts. "I cannot lose my patience. The minute I 
 would do so I should lose my power. This, of course> 
 does not mean that I am fooUsh in my patience. Pretty 
 soon I find out whom I am dealing with and gauge my- 
 self accordingly. I will try and try again and the keener 
 the disappointments, the more eager I am to obtain a 
 hearing. And if all my efforts fail, I am not to blame. 
 This may sound rather selfsatisfied, yet it is so. And as 
 to your asking questions, why the more questions you 
 ask, the better I like it, always supposing, that the ques- 
 tions are not prompted by sheer curiosity and that the 
 answers are being listened to". 
 
 By this time we found ourselves on a wide thorough- 
 fare. Truth stopped, waiving his hand up and down 
 the street. 
 
 "This is Fifth Avenue", he explained. "Of course, I 
 presume you know we are in New York", he added. 
 
 I could not speak. I tried to think and it seemed to 
 me as if I were walking upon known ground. Truth 
 again guessed my thought. 
 
 "You have been here before, have you not?", he asked 
 casually. 
 
 "I think so", I replied uncertainly. 
 
 "Don't say that", he replied. 
 
 "Don't say what?", I asked. 
 
 "I do not want you to say 'I think so' instead of "yes' 
 or 'no'. You must acquire the habit of using your 
 brains and not to be afraid to do so". At this he evident- 
 ly noticed that his words made me feel uncomfortable. 
 
124 MR. MAN 
 
 "No harm meant friend Man. The time for wavering 
 and faltering is over for you. You have recovered from 
 a very critical illness. You were lost in a horrible maze 
 and muddle and now you have found yourself. Hold 
 on to yourself, for should we again lose sight of you it 
 will be so much harder to bring you back". 
 
 "But I really am not quite certain whether I have 
 been here before", I remarked. 
 
 "Of course you have", Truth replied. "Don't you 
 remember your friend Dick"? 
 
 Dick! Again and again I asked myself where have I 
 heard this name. 
 
 "Take your time friend Man", Truth reassiured me, 
 "Just make ug your mind' that you will use your 
 brains and you will be all right presently". 
 
 And while walking alongside of him, memories of 
 years long past came back to me. First the sight seeing 
 tour with Dick. Then Hopeview, Ann Mary, a sweet 
 little nurse, and from the distance I heard the cooing of 
 a baby and then I saw a simple grave covered with 
 flowers and back I was from whence I must have 
 started. I felt a chill go through me, then I felt as if 
 a gentle hand had smoothed first my face, then my whole 
 being. I felt I had regained the full possession of my 
 senses. Oh, what a wonderful feeling! Like a bird 
 freed from its cage, like a blind man who has regained 
 his sight. 
 
 "How long have I been away?", I asked my friend. 
 
 "You have not been away at all". Truth answered. It 
 
MR. MAN 125 
 
 felt so good to hear his even, clear voice. "You just 
 had gone through a terrific crisis and we saved you by 
 the skin of your teeth, so to speak. You have found 
 yourself and we intend that you should never lose hold 
 of yourself again." Then he added. "It was just 
 forty years ago when you first came here with Dick". 
 
 "Forty years?" 
 
 "Just so. And you will find a New York quite differ- 
 ent from what you have seen. For that matter, you will 
 find a world entirely changed, remodeled, if I may say 
 so. For this reason I do not expect you to recognize 
 either New York in particular, or the world in general. 
 But you shall love them all. You see, the whole world 
 shared with you all the trials of a terrible mess you 
 have gotten yourself into. You have lost yourself and 
 drifted. Just so. And the world seemed to get to 
 pieces." 
 
 "And now all is well?" I queried anxiously. 
 
 "Almost". Truth explained. "The world has learned 
 a lesson and paid for it dearly. And now your tribe is 
 on the point of attending to real business." 
 
 "By which you mean?", I interrogated. 
 
 "By which I mean that the human race had come to 
 its senses once more, and indications tell me it is going 
 to stay in its senses. At least for many years to come. 
 Human nature,, my friend, is a particular queer thing. 
 It is fitted out with the best qualities. It goes on for a 
 certain time and it drifts back to where Adam and Eve 
 started out. They progress and progress until they think 
 
126 MR. MAN 
 
 they know it all, when they are inclined to neglect their 
 good qualities and play with the bad ones." 
 
 "When you first came to New York, you thought you 
 had come to the heart of America, if not of the world. 
 And what did you find? You need not tell me any of 
 your experiences", on noticing that I wanted to speak." 
 You found a bedlam of people who seemed to have gone 
 mad. Poor fellows. They surely did not mean to go 
 to the bad. They were just a little bit too easy and too 
 careless. And thus, before they knew it they were swept 
 by foul, filthy waves; jealousy, hatred, lust, falsehood, 
 greed and vain glory, and next thing they found them- 
 selves neck-deep in mud. And this was the case with 
 all the world, not only the New Yorkers, mind you". 
 
 '"Then a terrible storm broke loose. The poor fools 
 all tried to get out of the mud. The more they struggled 
 the deeper they sank. At the psychological moment they 
 heard my father's voice: 'Do not push each other, you 
 poor idiots, hold on to each other. Steady, hold on fast. 
 This way. Now everybody pull ; One, two, three !' Then 
 came a terrible crash and groan and the next minute 
 one end of the seething crowd began to alight from the 
 mud. It was a very long and tiresome procedure and 
 when those who survived, for many went under in the 
 struggle, — reached dry land again, there they stood, 
 shivering, most of them stripped to their skin, emaciated, 
 worn out and trembling of fear of something unknown. 
 'There you are', my father's voice again said. 'Now, 
 look at yourselves and then look at each other. See, 
 
MR. MAN 127 
 
 what you have done? Was there any need for all this 
 strife?' And the people looked at each other and then 
 cast down their heads shamefacedly. There was none 
 who could say anything, so dumbfounded were they all. 
 Finally my father again spoke: 'Now, that you have 
 seen one another as you are, go forth and live like 
 brethren". And the multitude began a new life, realiz- 
 ing, that there really was not so much difference between 
 them. Some had blue eyes, others gray or brown ones. 
 Some had white skin, while others looked tanned, or 
 faded or dark. Yet they all realized that they were of 
 one tribe and therefore resolved to pull together." 
 
 "During the past centuries there were great minds try- 
 ing to save the human race from itself, but the world 
 would not heed them. A terrible catastrophe had to 
 come to make them realize that their real mission was 
 that of conquering each other with love, and not with 
 arms." 
 
 While Truth was thus talking I watched the people 
 passing by and the vehicles and then turned my looks 
 to the buildings flanking the street and my eyes finally 
 rested upon the trees alongside of the walks. 
 
 "There were no trees on Fifth Avenue, when I was 
 here with Dick", I said. 
 
 "No, friend Man. And there are many other things 
 that you would not have found upon your earlier jour- 
 ney. On the other hand, however, there are a great 
 many things that you would miss were I to take you 
 around. This, however, I shall dispense with. You 
 
128 MR. MAN 
 
 have not much time to waste. I want you to return to 
 your former task as soon as possible. Yet while you 
 are with me I shall show you one thing worth seeing. 
 The rest you can figure out for yourself or I can explain 
 to you anything you wish to know." 
 
 "I remember you having noticed that picture in the 
 bedchamber this morning and I promised you to show 
 you the original. We shall go thither and on our way 
 I shall answer any question you may wish to ask." 
 
 We walked for a while. Having regained full posses- 
 sion of my senses. I resolved to avail myself of the 
 opportunity. 
 
 "When I first was in New York, as you say forty 
 years ago, I heard some one say that within a few years 
 time there will be an added way of transportation, 
 greatly facilitating travel". 
 
 "You mean the aeroplanes?" 
 
 "Yes, Sir." 
 
 "Well, let me say to the credit of the human race, 
 that this fool dream never came to pass. First it 
 looked as if it were essential to prove advanced civiliza- 
 tion that people should fly, instead of walking or rid- 
 ing. But soon they found that what they called pro- 
 gress and civilization was really nothing but madness. 
 So the human race pushed itself back five decades and 
 decided that they shall take time to live." 
 
 "Well, thus the human race did not progress in pro- 
 portion with the time elapsed". 
 
 "Forty years ago I should have answered you with a 
 
MR. MAN 129 
 
 "yes'. To day I am glad to say that the hviman race 
 did progress more during these last forty years than in 
 centuries previously. Unheard of hardships, unforeseen 
 troubles and very serious complications made them fin- 
 ally realize that real progress does not mean that we 
 should try to master Nature, but to master ourselves. 
 They have learned at exorbitant exjjense, too, that too 
 much of a hurry is not good for the liver and that too 
 much money is bad for the heart. And it did not take 
 very much figuring to find out that a well-working liver 
 and a balanced heart are much more essential than a 
 bulging pocket book." 
 
 "They have learned not to concern themselves so 
 much with what is good for themselves, the individuals, 
 but with what is good for the community, because if the 
 common good is being steadily promoted the individual 
 is bound to benefit by it. Hence, people do not use 
 aeroplanes as they bought automobiles forty years ago, 
 when many poor fools mortgaged their little homes in 
 order to be in style as owners of motor cars, soon to be 
 out of both. The aeroplane has been perfected and is 
 being used for mail service and also for traveling but 
 no one would think of taking what you used to call a 
 'joy ride' through the clouds. This would be considered 
 extravagant and would indicate poor taste". 
 
 "Indeed, the world has been pushed ahead and this 
 holds good particularly here in America. The average 
 young American has learned to take at least as much 
 interest in his own mental possibilities as he used to take 
 
130 MR. MAM 
 
 in the physical possibilites of a prize fighter, a race or a 
 baseball player and i)eople at large have at least acquired 
 the splendid habit to make their own lives ; which is not 
 to live any one else's, take their chances, not be afraid 
 of what's back of them or what's before them. Just 
 live the best they know how and live it strong." 
 
 "You mean to say that people are not as selfish as 
 they used to be?" I asked. 
 
 "I should think it would be more appropriate to say 
 that they are not as stupid as they used to be. I told 
 you before, it looked as if they all had gone mad. There 
 were some who thought they were entitled to conquer 
 the whole world and to rule it as they pleased. They 
 were defeated. And what happened? Their conquerors 
 in turn found themselves drifting into the very same 
 attitude of their antagonists of yore." 
 
 Truth took out his kerchief and wiped his brow imder 
 the brim of his hat. Then he continued, as if in disgust. 
 
 "Then there were others who instead of coming down 
 to brass tacks thought they could readjust the world with 
 dreams. And promptly they dreamed themselves and 
 their followers into lots of trouble. Others again were 
 blabbering about absolute equality, — claiming that all 
 were born equal, consequently they should share equally 
 everything there was. This again added to the muddle 
 and made things worse than ever. Others again thought 
 they could regulate human nature with the letter of the 
 law. They also failed most miserably. By and by they 
 got so worn out and tired and there was hardly any- 
 
MR. MAN 131 
 
 thing left but thoughts, so they settled down to do some 
 thinking. And luckily, they started at the beginning. And 
 after a while, after overcoming added trials, muddles 
 and troubles, they began to find themselves. And here 
 we are in a well-ordered community, where people 
 respect each other's right to live, and each other's belief, 
 and creed and tenets and all have the prospect of a 
 happy life." 
 
 "And how long will this state last ?", I asked. 
 
 "This is a question hard to imswer. The present im- 
 proved and really normal state of affairs will not last for 
 ever, of course, for the very simple reason that the world 
 will not last for ever. But people will live hagpily and 
 peacefully for some time, anyway." 
 
 "For how long?" 
 
 "Well, until they go mad again". Truth answered non- 
 chalantly. 
 
 "Do you realize that by this answer you admitted the 
 possibility of the world's going mad again." 
 
 "Friend Man I do not have to admit this. It Ues with- 
 in human nature." 
 
 I was puzzled. 
 
 "Does it then", I asked, "not seem useless to strive 
 just to fall back again"? 
 
 "No my friend. To struggle is man's mission. He 
 will fall, because of his imperfections. But as long as 
 he does not desire to stay down there is no danger. He 
 will rise again, stronger than ever, to face conditions 
 more complicated than those before. And so man will 
 keep on struggling to the end never to win". 
 
132 MR. MAN 
 
 "This seems a paradox and unjust as well", I re- 
 marked. 
 
 "Yet it is neither, friend Man. The human race is a 
 conglomeration of imperfect beings. Their earthly life 
 is but a transitory state. They will never win in the 
 human sense of the word. But they shall lose or win 
 everything after their days on earth are over with." 
 
 After such an exalted talk I hardly dared venture my 
 question. Yet I thought I ought to. 
 
 "How about the morality of the race"? 
 
 "The human race has come to realize that a regulated 
 family life is the safest foundation for the happiness of 
 the individual as well as of the masses. Of course, there 
 are exceptions. There always were and always shall be. 
 Yet there are few in comparison to the rest and these 
 exceptions but confirm the rule of decent living." 
 
 I did so much want to ask Truth whether people still 
 danced at their midday meal and whether they still shook 
 the shimmy. I thought it irrelevant, but he guessed my 
 thought. 
 
 "They don't do either," smiling complacently. "The 
 shock of the tremendous crash the world had to undergo 
 is still vibrating in the air." 
 
 "You mean to say that the race has been cowed by 
 troubles?" 
 
 "No, friend Man. Were such the case, all would have 
 been in vain. That tremendous cataclysm the world had 
 to pass through was not meant to cow them, but simply 
 
MR. MAN 133 
 
 to show them their utter folly and to bring them back 
 to their senses." 
 
 At this we reached a magnificent structure. It stood 
 upon an open space, surrounded by a well kept lawn. 
 
 "Here we are. Come in," Truth bade me. 
 
 I followed Truth into a very spacious building. Its tall 
 pillars and high walls, all of white marble, impresesd 
 me with their dignity. I noticed there were no seating 
 accomodations, and after having made a few steps I was 
 quite surprised on noticing how uncomfortable the walk- 
 ing was. I looked at Truth walking a few paces ahead 
 of me and noticed that he did not seem to have any 
 difificulties. He turned about, smiling. 
 
 "You do not like the floor and do not get the meaning 
 of its contrast with the rest of the building?" he asked 
 coming towards me. 
 
 "Indeed, I don't." 
 
 "Well, friend Man, we are in Victory Chapel and 
 those responsible for its constructioun took good care 
 that this memorial should be in keeping with the great 
 thought it expresses and represents." Smiling at me he 
 continued. "Of course, you are thinking of the Great 
 War of forty years ago and imagine that this building 
 is a memorial thereof, do you not?" 
 
 "Indeed, I do." 
 
 "Well, friend Man, you are quite mistaken". Truth 
 explained. "When America entered into the conflict I 
 think she did so following an impulse of magnanimity. 
 Had she realized the consequences she would never have 
 entered it. Luckily she did not realize them." 
 
134 MR. MAN 
 
 "You are puzzling me," I remarked, quite confused. 
 
 "Strange, is it not, that the more plain I try to be 
 the more I am apt to cause people what they call con- 
 fusion". Truth went on. "Listen. You are one of the 
 not so very many survivors of the epoch of forty years 
 ago. You were one of the American heroes. Did you 
 know what you were doing? You did not, but of course 
 you thought you did. Well, what did you think you 
 were doing? You thought you were doing your duty 
 to your country. Why, that is the plain duty of every 
 decent man and not much credit due for so doing. But 
 did you realize what your participation in that war meant 
 and what it was leading to?" 
 
 "Yes, the conquest of imperialism". 
 
 "Of what?" 
 
 "Of imperialism. America entered the war because 
 she thought it was her duty to help the peoples of the 
 world in obtaining a fair chance to govern their own 
 affairs." 
 
 "So far, so good". Truth remarked. "And I must 
 admit that America accomplished in that way what she 
 purposed to do, for the government of the various coun- 
 tries and nations of the world of to-day is quite different 
 from what it used to be. True, these much improved 
 conditions are bearing the earmarks of a transitory if 
 not experimental stage, but in course of time the peo- 
 ples will get there. But there is something by far more 
 important, by far greater than this that was accomplish- 
 ed by America's entry into the war of forty years ago". 
 
MR. MAN 135 
 
 Looking at me he must have noticed my perplexity. "I 
 see you do not quite follow me. Now listen. If you had 
 been told that you were going to help reconstruct the 
 world would you have done your duty as willingly as 
 you did?" 
 
 "I do not think so". 
 
 "And why not?" 
 
 "Because I would have thought I was setting out on 
 a fool's errand." 
 
 "Now you are talking sense, my friend". Truth said 
 with an air of satisfaction. "And there were a hundred 
 million others who felt like you and who thought that 
 the very idea of reconstructing the world was preposter- 
 ous if not asinine. That is the reason why I said a little 
 while ago, that it was lucky that America did not 
 realize the consequences of her entry into the strife. 
 Had she been told that by doing so she was assuming 
 not only the task of reconstructing the world, but also 
 the full responsibility of this huge enterprise, the leading 
 Americans of those days would have refused to sacrifice 
 life, limb, wealth and health of their citizens for the sake 
 of trying to carry out a dream that they would have 
 taken for a wild phantasy. Again, I say, therefore, it 
 was most lucky that America entered the conflict follow- 
 ing her impulse of maganimity and did not stop to think 
 of the consequences. And why? 
 
 Truth looked at me. I hoped he did not expect me to 
 answer this question, I was, therefore, greatly, relieved 
 when he went on. 
 
136 MR. MAN 
 
 "Forty years ago America was the only country in the 
 world that had a leg to stand on. She was the only 
 land under the sun able to carry on her normal life in 
 spite of the heavy losses of lives and property she 
 suffered. All of the other coimtries were bankrupt or 
 on the verge of it. They all looked up to America. Most 
 of them for the sake of material assistance, others again 
 looking for leadership. And America helped wherever 
 she could, not letting the right hand know what the left 
 was doing and eventually and incidentally she became 
 the leader of the world. Not that she claimed or as- 
 sumed this distinction. It came quite naturally just as 
 the ripe apple will fall into your lap if you are standing 
 underneath the tree and have patience to wait long 
 enough." At these words Truth took my arm, leading 
 me away from the center of the aisle and at the pressure 
 of his hand I again felt invigorated. "We must not 
 block the way. We stopped under one of the windows, 
 of the eastern wall." 
 
 "What was business, for instance, forty years ago?" 
 
 I could not answer. 
 
 "If you needed something you had to pay the price. 
 And the more you needed something the higher a price 
 you had to pay regardless of the value of the goods you 
 were bargaining for. To speak more plainly, business 
 had become a means of exploiting the needs of the con- 
 sumer instead of facilitating the interchange of the 
 necessities and commodities of life. A publisher, for in- 
 stance, thought, that he was in his business to make 
 
MR. MAN 137 
 
 money as much and as quickly as i)ossible, incidentally 
 throwing some books upon the market. To-day the pub- 
 lishers are supplying the reading public with mental food 
 and their efforts are incidentally rewarded with a fair 
 profit. Forty years ago the theatrical producers, most 
 of them, had a keen eye for sold out houses. The people 
 were restless, high-strung and consequently highly sen- 
 suous. What did the producers do? They put on plays 
 that would have a long run and let the real interest of 
 the public go hang. And so it was all along the line." 
 
 "Yes, but the public stood for it", I remarked. 
 
 "I know it. But if this does explain the way of acting 
 it does not justify it. Those who had influence in busi- 
 ness and in publishing books and producing plays and so 
 forth should have deemed it their duty to give people 
 what they needed at reasonable prices, instead of chok- 
 ing down their throats what the public thought it wanted, 
 and that at a murderous profit. So there was something 
 wrong in the leadership. And here is where America 
 came in. She had learned that each country's principal 
 duty is that of keeping its own affairs in good shape. She 
 set out to mind her own business. Quietly and not 
 quietly but surely things and views changed. The other 
 countries, as I said before, were looking to America. At 
 first chiefly for material help. And America responded 
 quite generously, but somehow she managed to do it in 
 a way that those who sought and obtained her assistance 
 were induced to learn how to help themselves. And 
 within a comparatively short time it came to pass that 
 
138 MR. MAN 
 
 the place of an armed rivalry was taken by a noble 
 rivalry in improving conditions of life. People are apt 
 to forget, and since the world consists of people, the 
 world, too, is apt to forget. Yet, a good deed well done 
 is bound to bear its fruit and the seed once sown is 
 bound to bring a crop." 
 
 "Do you mean to say that America was the only coun- 
 try in the world able to teach others" ? 
 
 "Indeed not, my friend. Such foolish thought would 
 give my very name the lie. America taugh and learned. 
 She lead and was influenced. All the good efforts of the 
 world were being pooled and great results were bound 
 to come. And since I am bound to live up to my name 
 I do not hesitate telling you that after all is said and 
 done it was your country that started this wonderful 
 change and indications bid fair that the great task will 
 be ultimately performed, both nobly and well." 
 
 Truth stopped as his talk seemed to attract the atten- 
 tion of people flocking in. He led me into the centre of 
 the building. 
 
 "Look around and tell me what you like best". 
 
 I first looked at the people coming and going and won- 
 dered how lightly they walked on the cobblestone floor. 
 I saw people from all walks of life. Well dressed 
 women, gentlemen in high hats, laborers with their 
 dinner pails, vendors and children. And it struck me 
 strangely that while I could notice no poverty in their 
 appearance I also could not find a trace of extravagance. 
 Involuntarily I looked for Truth. He stood close by. 
 
MR. MAN 139 
 
 "You are wondering what these peojjle are doing here 
 and you seem puzzled at their appearance", he said. 
 "Well, my friend, we have class distinctions and always 
 shall have them. The foolish idea of absolute and per- 
 manent equality has been discarded after some reckless 
 experiments. But there is no misery here now and no 
 excessive wealth. Conditions have been regulated with 
 the assistance of the most powerful ally of the human 
 race : mutual understanding. And they are coming here 
 to worship." At this Truth looked at his watch. "It is 
 noon. Every one passing by at this time will stop in for 
 a moment and you will witness the same performance 
 evenings. Some few you will find at any hour of the 
 day." 
 
 "You said they come here to worship. To worship 
 what?" I asked, my curiosity being aroused. Instead 
 of an answer, Truth ijointed to the end of the building. 
 
 "Look and see for yourself". 
 
 I started towards the indicated point. Truth following 
 close by and soon we stood in front of an altar. It was 
 built of white marble, as the rest of the building, with 
 simple but exquisite carvings. And above the altar I 
 noticed a stained glass window of immense proportions. 
 I looked and looked and cast a questioning glance at 
 Truth. But on noticing that he was kneeling and deep 
 in thought, I resolved to find the meaning of the picture 
 for myself. It was dominated by Christ upon the cross. 
 The allegoric figures of Faith, Hope and Charity 
 removed the nails from the Saviour's hands and feet. 
 
140 MR. MAN 
 
 Underneath, in heaps of ruins lay Lust, Perfidity, Hat- 
 red, Greed, Vanity and Lie. I returned my looks to 
 Christ. His face shone in contentment, without a trace 
 of pain or sorrow. His head was surrounded by a halo 
 and in between the rays of the halo, I read interwoven 
 the words: 
 
 CHRISTUS VICTOR 
 
 Overwhelmed I followed Truth's example and knelt, 
 remaining thus for some time. When Truth rose I fol- 
 lowed his example. While leading me towards the en- 
 trance he talked. 
 
 "Do you understand now what I had reference to 
 when telling you a little while ago of the meaning of 
 this place"? 
 
 "Not quite fully", I replied. 
 
 "Well, this place is called Victory Chapel and is 
 dedicated not to any armed victory, but to the greatest of 
 ^11 victories ; the world has conquered itself. Even those 
 sceptics who are inclined to take Christ's life for a 
 beautiful myth do agree with the idea as expressed by 
 that stained glass window, so magnificent in its simplic- 
 ity. Even as the self-conquest of the human race must 
 turn Christ's sufferings and agonies into joy, as so fit- 
 tingly expressed by the wreaths taking the place of the 
 nails, so all the heartaches and troubles and sorrows the 
 world had to suffer, lose their sting and turn into exalted 
 joy upon seeing the wonderful results brought forth. 
 And these cobblestones ? Why, they are in keeping with 
 
MR. MAN 141 
 
 the allegory and indicate that nothing worth while can be 
 accomplished without serious efforts, that there is no 
 reward, except in the mind of fools, without sacrifice". 
 
 Noticing my emotion he gave me a minute's time to 
 gather my thoughts. Then he went on: 
 
 "Victory Chapel has been erected with money donated 
 by every race, creed and nationality of the world. Noth- 
 ing was speared to make it a fitting world-shrine and 
 those who erected it could have paved this chapel with 
 gold and precious stones just as easily as not. But such 
 foolishness would have marred the sanctity of the place". 
 
 In passing out of Victory Chapel we walked along 
 Fifth Avenue in silence. I was too overwhelmed to 
 speak. Presently we turned into an inviting-looking 
 building. A servant took our hats and we proceeded in- 
 to what appeared to be a dining room. The snowy table 
 linen, silver and glassware beckoned us to sit down. 
 Truth chose a small table in the farthest corner. After 
 having taken our seats, a waiter came to take our orders. 
 We partook of a very good meal, which consisted of a 
 soup, a roast with vegetables, some cake and coffee. 
 With the roast a glass of wine was served. Truth, in 
 lifting his glass, silently drank my health. I responded. 
 The pleasant surroundings and the good food worked like 
 a tonic and I soon found my speech. 
 
 "Forty years ago I was in a place like this with poor 
 Dick", I ventured. 
 
 "I hardly think so", Truth replied. "If there were 
 places like this at that time they must have been very 
 
142 MR. MAN 
 
 few and far between. I rather think your friend had 
 taken you to an amusement." 
 
 "But we took our meal there", I remarked. 
 
 "Why, of course you did. Yet, did you not notice that 
 people amused themselves ?" 
 
 "Yes, they danced during the meal, which I thought 
 was foolish", I replied. 
 
 "Quite so, my friend. Yet do not let us judge harshly. 
 At that time people were restless, almost hysterical. 
 They felt something was brewing and were afraid of the 
 unknown danger. In order to regain their peace of mind 
 they thought they could drown their worries in amuse- 
 ment. They had to be amused, no matter at what price. 
 To-day people look upon amusement as they look upon 
 food or clothing: a necessity. After a day's hard work 
 one needs diversion. The difference between your time 
 and today is that forty years ago most people worked and 
 slaved to be able to throw their money away extrava- 
 gantly on amusement, food and clothing, while today 
 they amuse themselves moderately, take proper food and 
 wear decent clothes in order to enable them to perform 
 their duties the more cheerfully." 
 
 Oh, how I wished I should never have to part with 
 this good fellow who always managed to say the proper 
 thing at the proper time. He again read my thought. 
 
 "I shall be with you as long as you honestly wish my 
 company". Truth reassured me smilingly. 
 
 The meal over, we took a stroll and then reached 
 Truth's home. I took the. opportunity of looking at the 
 
MR. MAN 143 
 
 house. It was well built, in keeping with the surround- 
 ings but otherwise there was nothing extraordinary in 
 its general appearance. 
 
 "Just a comfortable home, cozy to live in". Truth 
 ventured. 
 
 We entered, Truth leading me to my room. 
 
 "I shall leave you now with your thoughts and mem- 
 ories", he said. "Ours is a very busy household. But I 
 shall be within calling distjmce". With a friendly nod 
 he left. No sooner had he closed the door behind him 
 than I called him back. In response to my call he stood 
 in the open door. 
 
 "Truth", I said, approaching him with outstretched 
 hands, "I almost forgot to thank you". 
 
 "To thank me?", he answered, seemingly pleased. 
 "Why, friend Man, you don't owe me any thanks. I 
 was seeking you and you let me find you. So the plea- 
 sure is quite mutual, I assure you." And with another 
 friendly nod he left the room. 
 
 Alone in this pleasant, cozy room, my looks first 
 turned to the p^icture over the bed which had attracted 
 my attention In the morning. Now I instantly recog- 
 nized it as a fine reproduction of the stained glass win- 
 dow at Victory Chapel arid went down on my knees, cov- 
 ering my face with my hands. I was afraid to think, so 
 I offered a silent prayer. I could not repeat the wordS 
 of this prayer, the best I ever had. Perhaps I did not 
 say a word for all I know. But upon rising I felt so 
 refreshed and encouraged. Feeling tired, I sought one 
 
144 MR. MAN 
 
 of the comfortable arm chairs. On sitting down I be- 
 came aware of my bulging coat pockets. First I was 
 afraid, thinking that the onrush of memories, which were 
 bound to rise, would rob me of my composure so recently 
 regained. Nothing of the kind happened. I calmly re- 
 moved a small package and a bundle of letters from my 
 pockets, laying them both upon the small table. After 
 one minute's thought I first opened the package ; I found 
 some ofificial papers, a wrist watch, some money, a pocket 
 knife, and a strange little chain with an oval brass tag. 
 I looked at it wonderingly. It bore my name, a number 
 and the initial of the branch of service I was in: My 
 identification tag. Then I came upon two crosses. One 
 hung from a green ribbon with red stripes. A neat crost 
 of bronze crowned by a wreath. My French war cross. 
 The other one was a more modest lucking cross, centered 
 by an eagle. The Distinguished Service Cross. I gazed 
 at them for some time. The smell of powder, the rattle 
 of ordnance, the stench of corpses and the cries of con- 
 quest and agony seemed to bother me. I took the two 
 crosses in my hand, and while holding them looked up 
 to the picture hanging over the bed. Then my glance 
 returned to the crosses. Quietly I put them back into 
 their wrappers. Then I rose looking for a good hiding 
 place. In the far corner of the room I noticed a piece 
 of furniture which seemed like a combination of a desk 
 and bookcase. I walked to it, opened one of the small 
 drawers placing the two crosses into it. 
 
 "These belong to you, friend Truth", I said to myself. 
 
MR. MAN 145 
 
 Then I resumed my seat in the chair and started to 
 
 busy myself with the letters 
 
 * 
 
 Night had come. All was quiet. The members of the 
 household gathered for their usual meeting. Truth did 
 not forget his visitor. He wanted to call him for supper. 
 Quietly he opened the bed chamber. 
 
 "Friend Man, we are waiting for you", he said in- 
 vitingly. 
 
 As there was no answer Truth proceeded into the 
 room. 
 
 There he found his visitor in the armchair sound 
 asleep, with one open letter in his hand, the others on his 
 lap and strewn about him on the floor. The kindly host 
 lifted his sleeping guest, putting him gently upon the bed. 
 While doing so he glanced at the picture above the bed. 
 Then he piled the letters into a niece little heap, and 
 smiling complacently left the room on tiptoes. 
 
THE STORY'S END 
 
 HE prosperous town of Hopeview was in fes- 
 tal garb on the eve of Independence Day, 
 1960. Streamers of greenery and flowers 
 wound themselves through streets as if bind- 
 ing the houses together. From the Town Hall, Post Office 
 and School huge flags waved in the evening breeze and a 
 solemn atmosphere seemed to hang over the community. 
 Once, not so very long ago, a village of the backwoods, 
 Hopeview had grown into a town of goodly size and was 
 good to look upon. The clank of the street car broke the 
 silence at intervals and people returning from the fields 
 mixed picturesquely with vehicles of every description. 
 
 The side walks were clean and lined with trees. The 
 buildings bespoke the good taste and the prosperity of 
 their inhabitants. The town was surrounded by wide 
 lawns, and a well kept road led to a neat railroad sta- 
 tion. Who would have thought this possible, say, just 
 forty years ago. To the north the town was flanked by 
 what first seemed to be a flower garden. Upon closer 
 examination it proved to be the cemetery. Simple yet 
 neat monvmients marked the graves, all of them covered 
 with flowers. 
 
148 MR. MAN 
 
 Everything breathed content and happiness. As on 
 the eve of a sacred holiday, one felt elated and thankful. 
 
 In front of the Town Hall a stone-covered well sent 
 gushing forth its clear streams of water. The neat struc- 
 ture was topped by a huge eagle, with outstretched wings. 
 It seemed, to protect the community. The school-house 
 across the square, a neat two story brick building, bore 
 a brass tablet with the simple legend: 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF 
 
 MR. MAN 
 
 (1914) 
 
 The third corner of the square was occupied by a neat 
 church. A brownstone structure, its door ajar. Upon 
 entering one was attracted by a stained glass window, 
 representing Christ upon the cross, three angels replac- 
 ing the nails with small wreaths of forget-me-nots. On 
 leaving the church, one block to the south, a white build- 
 ing with green shutters beckoned invitingly. Two large 
 pots with geraniums showed the door. Above the door 
 a sign told that this was "The Homestead", Hopeview's 
 hotel. A few doors farther to the south the eye was 
 caught by a dwelling. One story high, with a gabled 
 roof. A well kept lawn surrounded the handsome 
 building, which was banked with flowers. Here we enter. 
 
 It was supper time. At the head of the table we notice 
 a gray haired lady. Very, very old she must have been, 
 but her eyes bespoke her vitality and how happily she 
 
MR. MAN 149 
 
 looked around the table. To her right a man of some 
 sixty odd years busied himself with helping the old lady 
 to a dish of some sort. To the left of the lady a pleasant 
 looking woman, also quite advanced in years yet looking 
 young, watched the two. While the fourth of the com- 
 pany, a sturdy man in the early forties sat quietly absorb- 
 ing the rest with his looks. 
 
 Mr. Man's home was a happy one indeed. Dear old 
 Mrs. Man was granted the great joy and privilege of see- 
 ing her village grow into a prosperous town. And how 
 proud she felt ! And justly so. Was it not her son who 
 helped the town to its growth and development. Indeed, 
 Mr. Man, as the first Mayor of Hopeview, in his quiet, 
 unassuming way, was tireless in helping build up his 
 home town. His son and successor in office, was he not 
 her grandson ? And did they not both carry out the prin- 
 ciples of her late husband ? What more could a mother's 
 heart wish for? 
 
 Ann Mary, Mrs. Man Junior, was a good housewife 
 and made the reclining days of her mother-in-law pleas- 
 ant and happy. Rosie was married to the Postmaster, 
 Mr. Benjamin, Young Ben of years ago. Beth was like- 
 wise married. She was long in coming home, having 
 been retained by illness. Then a last word came that 
 "They" are homeward bound. They? Yes, indeed, 
 Beth and her husband, a worthy Frenchman, whom she 
 had married somewhere in the Argonne district. And 
 the French son-in-law, with the fluent oratory charac- 
 teristic of his nation, used his gift of persuasion to in- 
 
150 MR. MAN 
 
 duce Mrs. Man to return with them to Argonne for the 
 rest of her days. At that time Mrs. Man was not quite 
 as old as she is now, and indeed the thought of ending 
 her Hfe in her native home was rather alluring. But 
 there was her husband's grave, and her children and 
 Hopeview. So she decided to stay, and the French son- 
 in-law did likewise. 
 
 Mr. Man, the mayor, looked the picture of his father, 
 He was a manly man and his most prominent char- 
 acteristic was his devotion to his parents. Even though 
 Mayor of the town he never wished to be more than his 
 father's son. Consequently he was kind to every one, 
 "straight as a die", as grandmother said, and in turn 
 respected by the entire commtmity. 
 
 After the table was cleared, grandmother led by Ann 
 Mary, as was their custom, whenever they were alone at 
 meals, left to pay her children a short visit. Rosie and 
 Beth were neighbors. The two men, as was likewise 
 according to custom, sat down upon the green bench in 
 front of the house, the same that their father and grand- 
 father had built, and where Fr. John used to sit, and 
 chatted. 
 
 The quiet of the evening was delightfully interrupted 
 by the twitter of the birds in the trees. The setting sun 
 strewed the scenery with a mist of light purple hue and 
 the world seemed so restful. For a while father and son 
 smoked quietly. 
 
 "I hope the weather stays nice for to-morrow", the 
 father remarked. "I should feel sorry to see the plans 
 for the celebration marred". 
 
MR. MAN 151 
 
 "Maybe a rain would serve but to emphasize the mean- 
 ing of the day, father". Mayor Man replied. 
 
 "You are right, my son. Where there is sunshine 
 there is rain close at hand and the other way aroimd. 
 Did you have any difficulties in making the final arrange- 
 ments" ? 
 
 "No, father. Every one responded most willingly and 
 I hope you will enjoy the celebration", the son replied 
 with a mysterious smile. 
 
 "First we shall go to church, as usual, I suppose", the 
 father said casually. Then looking at his son, "You seem 
 to act rather mysteriously of late. What have you got 
 up your sleeve?" 
 
 "Oh, nothing, father. This afternoon I had a final 
 meeting with the leading citizens of the town and after 
 the very simple program had been finally decided upon, 
 I asked those present for the privilege of giving the town 
 a little surprise which I did not wish to include in the 
 official program. But in this I shall need your assist- 
 ance". 
 
 "What might it be, my son"? 
 
 "As a matter of fact I owe you an apology", the 
 Mayor said, hesitatingly, "as I planned this surprise all 
 by myself, without even consulting you and now I can- 
 not carry out my plan without your assistance". He felt 
 somewhat uneasy. 
 
 "You act so mysteriously that if I did not know you, 
 I might suspect that you hired a brass band or a circus, 
 maybe. Well, what is it my son"? 
 
152 MR. MAN 
 
 "Now, father, promisq you will not bear me any ill 
 feeling". 
 
 "Sounds important. I promise. Now let's have it. 
 
 The mayor coughed. 
 
 "You are to make a speech at the cemetery". 
 
 "Where did you get that idea, my son", the father 
 replied earnestly. "You know how I hate notoriety. 
 During all my years as your predecessor in office I did 
 not make one public speech. I do not like the limelight 
 and all that goes with it, and you know it. Frankly, I 
 am not a bit pleased at your idea." 
 
 "I thought that much," the mayor replied. "But then 
 it is your fault". 
 
 The father gave his son a look of mild surprise. 
 
 "My fault? How do you make that out"? 
 
 "Well, father, did you not teach me to learn how to 
 subordinate my personal feelings, desires jmd ambitions 
 to the good of the commimity?" 
 
 "Indeed I did and should have been a mighty poor 
 father had I done otherwise. Public spiritedness is what 
 we need above all. It was this that made our country 
 great and the lack of it was the cause of most of the 
 troubles and difficulties that were abroad years ago. 
 Yet, my son, you must pardon if I tell you frankly that 
 I do not quite see the point of your plan, or surprise, as 
 you call it". 
 
 "Listen, father. You rose to be the leading citizen of 
 this community and you know it. No, I do not want you 
 
MR. MAN 153 
 
 to admit it. I know you never would. Yet the fact 
 remains that you are what you are and" .... 
 
 "Now, my boy, enough of that. Do not try to tell me 
 what I am. That's immaterial. Give me some good 
 reasons for my cooperation in your plan and I shall 
 yield". 
 
 "Well, father, you had more experience than any one 
 else in town" 
 
 "Which does not mean by far that I should let loose a 
 public speech upon a harmless community", the father 
 interrupted. 
 
 "And you also taught me that only one should talk at 
 a time", the son retorted smilingly. 
 
 "Now you've got me. Go On". 
 
 "The people of Hopeview wish to hear you. They 
 feel you have a message. Grandmother wishes it, Ann 
 Mary, and Rosie, and Beth, and, last but not least, the 
 mayor of the community requests it", with a playful air 
 of superiority. 
 
 "Mr. Mayor, your point is well taken. Yet I hesitate", 
 the father doffing his hat with a kindly smile. 
 
 "Well, father, there are others who would tell you 
 they wish it also. And I feel I am speaking for them". 
 
 "You mean your grandfather"? 
 
 "Yes, and Unk, and my father-in-law and all the rest 
 who have left us too soon". 
 
 The strong man seemed to hesitate. 
 
 "These reasons are good but, I am sorry to say, more 
 
154 MR. MAN 
 
 or less sentimental. Can you give me a good reason 
 pro bone publico"? 
 
 "I think I can. For the first time to-morrow we 
 shall celebrate Independence Day the way this holiday 
 should be really celebrated. This is largely the result 
 of your eiforts of many years. Since you do not like 
 sentimental reasons, I will not say that you have the best 
 claim to tell the people what that day really means. But 
 I do say, even at the risk of ofifending your modesty, 
 that you know more about it than any one else in Hope- 
 view". 
 
 Just as the father was about to make another remark 
 the women returned. Grandmother, led by Ann Mary. 
 
 "Gentlemen," grandmother addressed the two, leaning 
 on her daughter-in-law's arm, smiling happily, "I am 
 here to convey to you a suggestion of my daughter 
 Beth". 
 
 The two men rose, bowing complacently. 
 
 "I shall take pleasure in complying with your un- 
 uttered suggestion ladies and give you a speech forth- 
 with", the mayor said, looking from the corner of his 
 eye at his father. 
 
 "Don't you get fresh, Mr. Mayor," said the father with 
 a friendly poke at his son's side. 
 
 The women laughed. Then presently Mrs. Man sug- 
 gested that they walk out to the cemetery. Then, reach- 
 ing into her bodice she drew forth a tiny flag. 
 
 "I want to give this to your father, so he will not for- 
 get to be with us to-morrow". 
 
MR. MAN 155 
 
 Presently Rosie and Beth came with their husbands 
 and quietly they started for the cemetery. 
 
 On the way home, Mr. Man and his son lagged be- 
 hind. 
 
 "It's a bargain, my son", the father said, jjressing his 
 son's hand. 
 
 Hopeview was up early on July the Fourth, 1960. 
 
 At eight o'clock there was a short service of thanks- 
 giving at the church, all of the towns-people attending in 
 their Sunday best. Their outward appearance as 
 regards the "Sunday best" did not show any marked dif- 
 ference from that on like gatherings years ago. But 
 their faces were bright and bespoke a happiness never 
 before known. Fr. Andrew, now successor to the 
 lamented and beloved rector, and an old man himself, 
 in his short address referred to the stained glass window, 
 briefly impressing its significance upon the minds of his 
 hearers. After the service the entire congregation filed 
 out of the church, forming a procession on the public 
 square. First came the children, then the women, fol- 
 lowed by the men. There was seemingly no one to give 
 orders or instructions. The procession was in line in no 
 time and without the least hitch. Perfect harmony was 
 the keynote. Mr. Man Senior leaning on his heavy cane, 
 limped between his son, the mayor, and the priest. 
 
 The procession walked silently down Main Street, 
 then covered the side streets and returned to the square. 
 There they stopped. The next instant the bells of the 
 church began to toll and the procession moved solemnly 
 toward the cemetery. 
 
156 MR. MAN 
 
 At the entrance to the cemetery a number of young 
 girls, dressed in white, formed lines on either side, and 
 from huge baskets standing at their sides handed every 
 one of the passers by a small bunch of neatly bound wild 
 flowers. 
 
 They filed into the cemetery, stopped in the center and 
 then quietly disbanded, all seeking the graves of their 
 loved ones, placing the flowers upon the graves and offer- 
 ing a silent prayer. 
 
 Then, as if at an unseen sign, the people again gathered 
 in the middle of the cemetery, this time not forming into 
 0. line of procession, but standing up in a semi-circle, 
 leaving an open space in the center. All was quiet. 
 Then the heads began to turn and all eyes were f ocussed 
 upon the man who stood there amongst them, leaning on 
 his cane. 
 
 Mr. Man moved towards the center. 
 
 "Friends, last night my boy told me you wished to 
 hear me : I guess he was right. But what am I to say 
 to you?" At this he looked around, deep emotion writ 
 upon his kindly countenance. 
 
 "Today we are celebrating Independence Day. I might 
 say for the first time in a way appropriate to the mean- 
 ing of this great holiday." 
 
 "Here in the midst of our loved ones who have gone 
 before us, we stand", at which words all heads were 
 bared, "with bared heads. And let us be thankful that 
 our hearts are full. With joy? Perhaps. With pride? 
 No. With deep gratitude toward a kind Providence." 
 
MR. MAN 157 
 
 "If every one of us did his share during the past years 
 full of cares and troubles, we have but done our duty, 
 hence, there is no room for pride." 
 
 "Should our conscience be telling us that we might 
 have done better, than let us bow our heads humbly, 
 firmly resolved to do better in the future". 
 
 "And if we ask ourselves who brought about this 
 wonderful change, our heart answers us that it was the 
 power from above and the noble traditions as inherited 
 by those great men who laid the foundations of our 
 country." 
 
 "Not so many years ago this world was a seething 
 cauldron of wild passions let loose. To-day the world 
 is at peace and our country is happy with the rest. Some 
 like to say that it was America which brought about all 
 this. If it is so, let this not turn our heads. The coun- 
 try feels no vain pride to-day and I am sure that while 
 the entire nation is celebrating this great holiday, the un- 
 dercurrent vibrating through the hearts of all is not 
 that of pride, but of humble satisfaction." 
 
 "Quite a few of you here present remember the time 
 when our country was called the great melting pot. Many 
 talked about it, very few, if any, knew its meaning. If 
 to gather the scum of the world was equal to being a 
 melting pot, so it was. If our mission was to take care 
 of ourselves first so as to show the rest of the world 
 how it can be done, then I accept the reference to the 
 melting pot in the noble sense of the word." 
 
 "I know there are many amongst you who hail 
 
158 MR. MAN 
 
 (from other countries. But, I see but one flag. The Stars 
 and Stripes. And we have no foreigners amongst us in 
 the sense as we used to have." 
 
 "We are all Americans and proud of it. And likewise, 
 there are many of our brethren and sisters, who were 
 bom in America, living now in diiferent countries. They 
 do not claim any privileges in their respective countries 
 of adoption." 
 
 "As regards this country in particular, formerly im- 
 migration was encouraged, even solicited by certain 
 agencies as the natural result of which we got not only 
 those who came to these shores led by the desire to enjoy 
 freedom or to improve their living conditions, but those 
 as well who by coming to this country tried to escape 
 prison, their military obligation or even honest work, the 
 latter thinking that all they had to do here was to pick 
 up the dollars from the sidewalk. We were far too easy- 
 going with our immigration. And great harm was done 
 through our benevolent carelessness both to the country 
 as well as the immigrants. The latter, many of them, 
 not conversant with our ways of living, took liberty for 
 license and thus speedily drifted towards perdition mean- 
 while becoming public charges, while the country found 
 itself face to face with a situation the pecularity of 
 which could be equalled only by its seriousness". 
 
 "To-day our immigrants know fully well that while 
 they are heartily welcome, they have to live up to the 
 requirements of their intended country of adoption or 
 else return to whence they came." 
 
MR. MAN 159 
 
 "The past years have taught us a great lesson and 
 America as well as her new citizens are deriving the 
 benefits thereof as well as the world at large. Every one 
 knows today that no one can serve two masters. And 
 surely we ought to be thankful for the light that was 
 given us by which to see the proper meaning of patrio- 
 tism and loyalty". 
 
 "The world has learned the lesson of 'One God, One 
 Flag, One Country'." 
 
 "Great was the price the world had to pay for this 
 but greater still is the reward. Every nation of the 
 world knows to-day that the best and only guarantee 
 for its happy and prosperous future does not rest with 
 a tremendous military force but with the uniform efforts 
 of their hosts of thinking citizens armed with a clear 
 mind and a strong heart. And let me tell you, friends, of 
 Hopeview, that as long as the world will maintain its 
 present attitude, bought at an enormous price and ob- 
 tained through tremendous sacrifices, there is no room 
 for despondency." 
 
 "Let every citizen or every country do his best by his 
 country be it native or adopted and every country will 
 be happy. And since this world is a conglomeration of 
 many countries, what else can be the result of the happi- 
 ness of its various parts, but a sincere and himible feel- 
 ing of gratitude of the whole". 
 
 "Keep on doing your duty, my friends. Be mindful 
 of the fact that every good deed well done bears its 
 reward and do not forget that we are not to look for 
 
160 MR. MAN 
 
 outward signs of our reward, but we should desire the 
 possession of a clear conscience that whispers to us when 
 we are all alone; 'well done'." 
 
 "So then before leaving this sacred place let us humbly 
 bow our heads in gratitude". 
 
 The minute the speech was ended every head bent 
 down for a short while. Then the people formed into 
 procession, walking silently back to the public square, 
 where they disbanded in pleasant chatter, every one seek- 
 ing their homes where they were to continue celebrating 
 the great day in quiet happiness. 
 
 [the end]