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The
Magic Story - Part 2
by
Unknown Author
Inasmuch as I have evolved from my experience the one great
secret of success for all worldly undertakings, I deem it wise, now that
the number of my days is nearly counted, to give to the generations that
are to follow me the benefit of whatsoever knowledge I possess. I do not apologize for
the manner of my expression, nor for the lack of literary merit, the latter
being, I wot, its own apology. Tools much heavier than the pen have been
my portion, and moreover, the weight of years has somewhat palsied the hand
and brain; nevertheless, the fact I can tell, and what I deem the meat
within the nut. What mattereth it, in what manner the shell be broken,
so that the meat be obtained and rendered useful? I doubt not that I shall
use, in the telling, expressions that have clung to my memory since childhood; for, when men attain the number of my years, happenings of youth are like to
be clearer to their perceptions than are events of recent date; nor doth
it matter much how a thought is expressed, if it be wholesome and helpful,
and findeth the understanding.
Much have I wearied my brain anent the question, how best to describe
this recipe for success that I have discovered, and it seemeth advisable
to give it as it came to me; that is, if I relate somewhat of the story
of my life, the directions for agglomerating the substances, and supplying
the seasoning for the accomplishment of the dish, will plainly be perceived.
Happen they may; and that men may be born generations after I am dust,
who will live to bless me for the words I write.
My father, then, was a seafaring man who, early in life, forsook his vocation,
and settled on a plantation in the colony of Virginia, where, some years
thereafter, I was born, which event took place in the year 1642; and that
was over a hundred years ago. Better for my father had it been, had he
hearkened to the wise advice of my mother, that he remain in the calling
of his education; but he would not have it so, and the good vessel he
captained was bartered for the land I spoke of. Here beginneth the first
lesson to be aquired:
Man should not be blinded to whatsoever merit exists in the opportunity
which he hath in hand, remembering that a thousand promises for the future
should weigh as naught against the possession of a single piece of silver.
When I had achieved ten years, my mother's soul took flight, and two years
thereafter my worthy father followed her. I, being their only begotten,
was left alone; howbeit, there were friends who, for a time, cared for
me; that is to say, they offered me a home beneath their roof, - a thing
which I took advantage of for the space of five months. From my father's
estate there came to me naught; but, in the wisdom that came with increasing
years, I convinced myself that his friend, under whose roof I lingered
for some time, had defrauded him, and therefore me.
Of the time from the age of twelve and a half until I was three and twenty,
I will make no recital here, since that time hath naught to do with this
tale; but some time after, having in my possession the sum of sixteen
guineas, ten, which I had saved from the fruits of my labor, I took ship
to Boston town, where I began to work first as a cooper, and thereafter
as a ship's carpenter, although always after the craft was docked; for
the sea was not amongst my desires.
Fortune will sometimes smile upon an intended victim because of pure perversity
of temper. Such was one of my experiences. I prospered, and at seven and
twenty, owned the yard wherein, less than four years earlier, I had worked
for hire. Fortune, howbeit, is a jade who must be coerced; she will not
be coddled. Here beginneth the second lesson to be acquired:
Fortune is ever elusive, and can only be re- tained by force. Deal
with her tenderly and she will forsake you for a stronger man. (In that,
me- thinks, she is not unlike other women of my knowledge.)
About this time, Disaster (which is one of the heralds of broken spirits
and lost resolve), paid me a visit. Fire ravaged my yards, leaving me
nothing in its blackened paths but debts, which I had not the coin wherewith
to defray. I labored with my acquaintances, seeking assistance for a new
start, but the fire that had burned my competence, seemed also to have
consumed their sympathies. So it happened, within a short time, that not
only had I lost all, but I was hopelessly indebted to others; and for
that they cast me into prison. It is possible that I might have rallied
from my losses but for this last indignity, which broke down my spirits
so that I became utterly despondent. Upward of a year I was detained within
the gaol; and, when I did come forth, it was not the same hopeful, happy
man, content with his lot, and with confidence in the world and its people,
who had entered there.
Life has many pathways, and of them by far the greater number lead downward.
Some are precipitous, others are less abrupt; but ultimately, no matter
at what inclination the angle may be fixed, they arrive at the same destination
- failure. And here beginneth the third lesson:
Failure exists only in the grave. Man, being alive, hath not yet failed;
always he may turn about and ascend by the same path he descended by;
and there may be one that is less abrupt (albeit longer of achievement),
and more adaptable to his condition.
When I came forth from prison, I was penniless. In all the world I possessed
naught beyond the poor garments which covered me, and a walking stick
which the turnkey had permitted me to retain, since it was worthless.
Being a skilled workman, howbeit, I speedily found employment at good
wages; but, having eaten of the fruit of worldly advantage, dissatis-faction
possessed me. I became morose and sullen; whereat, to cheer my spirits,
and for the sake of forgetting the losses I had sustained, I passed my
evenings at the tavern. Not that I drank overmuch of liquor, except on
occasion (for I have ever been somewhat abstemious), but that I could
laugh and sing, and parry wit and badinage with my ne'er-do-well companions;
and here might be included the fourth lesson:
Seek comrades among the industrious, for those who are idle will sap
your energies from you.
It was my pleasure at that time to relate, upon slight provocation, the
tale of my disasters, and to rail against the men whom I deemed to have
wronged me, because they had seen fit not to come to my aid. Moreover,
I found childish delight in filching from my employer, each day, a few
moments of the time for which he paid me. Such a thing is less honest
than downright theft. This habit continued and grew upon me until the day dawned which found
me not only without employment, but also without character, which meant
that I could not hope to find work with any other employer in Boston town.
It was then that I regarded myself a failure. I can liken my condition
at that time for naught more similar than that of a man who, descending
the steep side of a mountain, loses his foothold. The farther he slides,
the faster he goes. I have also heard this condition described by the
word Ishmaelite, which I understand to be a man whose hand is against
everybody, and who thinks that the hands of every other man are against
him; and here beginneth the fifth lesson:
The Ishmaelite and the leper are the same, since both are abominations
in the sight of man, - albeit they differ much, in that the former may
be restored to perfect health. The former is entirely the result of imagination;
the latter has poison in his blood.
I will not discourse at length upon the gradual degeneration of my energies.
It is not meet ever to dwell much upon misfortunes (which saying is also
worthy of remembrance). It is enough if I add that the day came where
I possessed naught wherewith to purchase food and raiment, and I found
myself like unto a pauper, save at infrequent times when I could earn
a few pence, or mayhap, a shilling. Steady employment I could not secure,
so I became emanciated in body, and naught but skeleton in spirit.
My condition, then, was deplorable; not so much for the body, be it said,
as for the mental part of me, which was sick unto death. In my imagination
I deemed myself ostracized by the whole world, for I had sunk very low
indeed; and here beginneth the sixth and final lesson to be acquired,
(which cannot be told in one sentence, nor in one paragraph, but must
needs be adopted from the remainder of this tale).
Well do I remember my awakening, for it came in the night, when, in truth,
I did awake from sleep. My bed was a pile of shavings in the rear of the
cooper shop where once I had worked for hire; my roof was the pyramid
of casks, underneath which I had established myself. The night was cold,
and I was chilled, albeit, paradoxically, I had been dreaming of light
and warmth and of the depletion of good things. You will say, when I relate
the effect the vision had on me, that my mind was affected. So be it,
for it is the hope that the minds of others might be likewise influenced
which disposes me to undertake the labor of this writing. It was the dream
which converted me to the belief - nay, to the knowledge - that I was
possessed of two entities: and it was my own better self that afforded
me the assistance for which I had pleaded in vain from my acquaintances.
I have heard this condition described by the word "double."
Nevertheless, that word does not comprehend my meaning. A double, can
be naught more than a double, neither half being possessed of individuality.
But I will not philosophize, since philosophy is naught but a suit of
garments for the decoration of a dummy figure.
Moreover, it was not the dream itself which affected me; it was the impression
made by it, and the influence that it exerted over me, which accomplished
my enfranchisement. In a word, then, I encouraged my other identity. After
toiling through a tempest of snow and wind, I peered into a window and
saw that other being. He was rosy with health; before him, on the hearth,
blazed a fire of logs; there was a conscious power and force in his demeanor;
he was phisically and mentally muscular. I rapped timidly upon the door,
and he bade me enter. There was a not unkindly smile of derision in his
eyes as he motioned me to a chair by the fire; but he uttered no word
of welcome; and, when I had warmed myself, I went forth again into the
tempest, burdened with the shame which the contrast between us had forced
upon me. It was then that I awoke; and here cometh the strange part of
my tale, for, when I did awake, I was not alone. There was a Presence
with me; intangible to others, I discovered later, but real to me.
The Presence was in my likeness, yet it was strikingly unlike. The brow,
not more lofty than my own, yet seemed more round and full; the eyes,
clear, direct, and filled with purpose, glowed with enthusiasm and resolution;
the lips, chin, - ay, the whole contour of face and figure was dominant
and determined. He was calm, steadfast, and self-reliant; I was cowering, filled with
nervous trembling, and fearsome of intangible shadows. When the Presence
turned away, I followed, and throughout the day I never lost sight of
it, save when it disappeared for a time beyond some doorway where I dared
not enter; at such places, I awaited its return with trepidation and awe,
for I could not help wondering at the temerity of the Presence (so like
myself, and yet so unlike), in daring to enter where my own feet feared
to tread.
It seemed also as if purposely, I was led to the place and to the men
where, and before whom I most dreaded to appear; to offices where once
I had transacted business; to men whith whom I had financial dealings.
Throughout the day I pursued the Presence, and at evening saw it disappear
beyond the portals of a hostelry famous for its cheer and good living.
I sought the pyramid of casks and shavings.
Not again in my dreams that night did I encounter the Better Self (for
that is what I have named it), albeit, when, perchance, I awakened from
slumber, it was near to me, ever wearing that calm smile of kindly derision
which could not be mistaken for pity, nor for condolence in any form.
The contempt of it stung me sorely.
The second day was not unlike the first, being a repetition of its forerunner,
and I was again doomed to wait outside during the visits which the Presence
paid to places where I fain would have gone had I possessed the requesite
courage. It is fear which deporteth a man's soul from his body and rendereth
it a thing to be despised. Many a time I essayed to address it but enunciation
rattled in my throat, unintelligible; and the day closed like its predecessor.
This happened many days, one following another, until I ceased to count
them; albeit, I discovered that constant association with the Presence
was producing an effect on me; and one night when I awoke among the casks
and discerned that he was present, I made bold to speak, albeit with marked
timidity. "Who are you?" I ventured to ask; and I was startled into an
upright posture by the sound of my own voice; and the question seemed
to give pleasure to my companion, so that I fancied there was less of
derision in his smile when he responded.
"I am that I am," was the reply. "I am he who you have
been; I am he who you may be again; wherefore do you hesitate? I am he
who you were, and whom you have cast out for other company. I am the man
made in the image of God, who once possessed your body. Once we dwelt
within it together, not in harmony, for that can never be, nor yet in
unity, for that is impossible, but as tenants in common who rarely fought
for full possession. Then, you were a puny thing, but you became selfish
and exacting until I could no longer abide with you, therefore I stepped
out. There is a plus-entity and minus-entity in every human body that
is born into the world. Whichever one of these is favored by the flesh
becomes dominant; then is the other inclined to abandon its habitation,
temporarily or for all time. I am the plus-entity of yourself; you are
the minus-entity. I own all things; you possess naught. That body which
we both inhabited is mine, but it is unclean, and I will not dwell within
it. Cleanse it, and I will take possession."
"Why do you pursue me?" I next asked of the Presence. "You have pursued me, not I you. You can exist without me for a time,
but your path leads downward, and the end is death. Now that you approach
the end, you debate if it be not politic that you should cleanse your
house and invite me to enter. Step aside, from the brain and the will;
cleanse them of your presence; only on that condition will I ever occupy
them again."
"The brain has lost its power," I faltered. "The will is
a weak thing, now; can you repair them?"
"Listen!" said the Presence, and he towered over me while I
cowered abjectly at his feet. "To the plus-entity of a man, all things
are possible. The world belongs to him, - is his estate. He fears naught,
dreads naught, stops at naught; he asks no privileges, but demands them;
he dominates, and cannot cringe; his requests are orders; opposition flees
at his approach; he levels mountains, fills in vales, and travels on an
even plane where stumbling is unknown."
Thereafter, I slept again, and, when I awoke, I seemed to be in a different
world. The sun was shining and I was conscious that birds twittered above
my head. My body, yesterday trembling and uncertain, had become vigorous
and filled with energy. I gazed upon the pyramid of casks in amazement
that I had so long made use of it for an abiding place, and I was wonderingly
conscious that I had passed my last night beneath its shelter.
The events of the night recurred to me, and I looked about me for the
Presence. It was not visble, but anon I discovered, cowering in a far
corner of my resting place, a puny abject shuddering figure, distorted of visage,
deformed of shape, disheveled and unkept of appearance. It tottered as
it walked, for it approached me piteously; but I laughed aloud, mercilessly.
Perchance I knew then that it was the minus-entity, and that the plus-entity
was within me; albeit I did not then realize it. Moreover, I was in haste
to get away; I had no time for philosophy. There was much for me to do,
- much; strange it was that I had not thought of that yeaterday. But yesterday
was gone, - today was with me, - it had just begun.
As had once been my daily habit, I turned my steps in the direction of
the tavern, where formerly I had partaken of my meals. I nodded cheerily
as I entered, and smiled in recognition of returned salutations. Men who
had ignored me for months bowed graciously when I passed them on the thoroughfare.
I went to the washroom, and from there to the breakfast table; afterwards,
when I passed the taproom, I paused a moment and said to the landlord:
"I will occupy the same room that I formerly used, if perchance,
you have it at disposal. If not, another will do as well, until I can
obtain it."
Then I went out and hurried with all haste to the cooperage. There was
a huge wain in the yard, and men were loading it with casks for shipment.
I asked no questions, but, seizing barrels, began hurling them to the
men who worked atop of the load. When this was finished, I entered the
shop. There was a vacant bench; I recognized its disuse by the litter
on its top. It was the same at which I had once worked. Stripping off
my coat, I soon cleared it of impedimenta. In a moment more I was seated,
with my foot on the vice-lever, shaving staves.
It was an hour later when the master workman entered the room, and he
paused in surprise at sight of me; already there was a goodly pile of
neatly shaven staves beside me, for in those days I was an excellent workman;
there was none better, but, alas! now, age hath deprived me of my skill.
I replied to his unasked question with the brief, but comprehensive sentence:
"I have returned to work, sir." He nodded his head and passed
on, viewing the work of other men, albeit anon he glanced askance in my
direction.
Here endeth the sixth and last lesson to be aquired, although there is
more to be said, since from that moment I was a successful man, and ere
long possessed another shipyard, and had acquired a full competence of
worldly goods.
I pray you who read, heed well the following admonitions, since upon them depend the word "success" and all that it implies:
Whatsoever you desire of good is yours. You have but to stretch forth
your hand and take it.
Learn that the consciousness of dominant power within you is the possession
of all things attainable. Have no fear of any sort or shape, for fear is an adjunct of the
minus-entity. If you have skill, apply it; the world must profit by it, and therefore,
you. Make a daily and nightly companion of your plus-entity; if you heed its
advice, you cannot go wrong.
Remember, philosophy is an argument; the world, which is your property,
is an accumulation of facts. Go therefore, and do that which is within you to do; take no heed of gestures
which would beckon you aside; ask of no man permission to perform.
The minus-entity requests favors; the plus-entity grants them. Fortune
waits upon every footstep you take; seize her, bind her, hold her, for
she is yours; she belongs to you.
Start out now, with these admonitions in your mind. Stretch out your hand, and grasp the plus, which, maybe, you have never
made use of, save in great emergencies. Life is an emergency most grave.
Your plus-entity is beside you now; cleanse your brain, and strengthen
your will. It will take possession. It waits upon you. Start tonight; start now upon this new journey. Be always on your guard. Whichever entity controls you, the other hovers
at your side; beware lest the evil enter, even for a moment.
My task is done. I have written the recipe for "success." If
followed, it cannot fail. Wherein I may not be entirely comprehended, the plus-entity
of whosoever reads will supply the deficiency; and upon that Better Self
of mine, I place the burden of imparting to generations that are to come,
the secret of this all-pervading good, -the secret of being what you have
it within you to be.
(THE END)
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Magical Wizard Programs:
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