by O. Henry
CONTENTS
THE BARRAGE FIRE
COMMENTS
OVER THERE
FOREWORD
MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL
THE CONTEST
SLEEPING
YEARNING
ANIMALS
WEARINESS
I. — THE KING
II. — THE TOILER
THE SLAVE
FREEDOM
JEWELS
MULTITUDES
GOING HOME
THE THREE H’S
THE SENSES
FANCIES
TRUSTING
THOUGHTS
THINKING
YESTERDAY-TODAY
PART I. — YESTERDAY
PART II. — TODAY
PART III. — THE REAPING
“LOVE”
ACTION-REACTION
ACTION
REACTION
A VISION
MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL AND OTHER STORIES
By O. Henry’s Ghost
THE BARRAGE FIRE
I FEEL I cannot give O. Henry’s Ghost better ammunition with which to meet his critics than a bit of truth voiced by Joan in one of Algernon Blackwood’s wonderful books.
“The beloved dead step nearer when their bodies drop aside. They know where they are and what they are doing. It’s not for us to worry — in that way. And they are out of hours and minutes “
To meet the onslaught of you, Mr. Scoffer and Mr. Skeptic, who will say, “Impossible! They are not a bit like O. Henry’s stories! They lack all his virility, etc., etc.” I say at once, of course they are different! Where before his stories were written in the bold black and red of human passions, which belong to materiality, now, they must of necessity be pastel in hue and delicate gossamer things, for O. Henry’s Ghost is using finer material to mold his creations. The land where he dwells is subject to a different rate of vibration, and as the rhythm must be totally unlike, it is natural that the thoughts should flow and take form in the vehicle of poets.
But one characteristic is dominant still — the completeness of each Pastel. Not a word more is needed to complete a picture or convey an emotion, and while the aspiration of O.’ Henry’s Ghost has changed and he deals with higher, finer forces and desires, he still retains his mastery of the short story.
Attack from all sides, if you will, but the only guns you can fire are, “I believe” and “I think,” which shall bring forth in reply the bomb “I KNOW!!”
Because the spirit known as O. Henry came before the curtain on this particular stage in the garb of heavy woolen materiality, thundering vivid, scarlet tales, is no reason why, having made his exit, — after playing out his role, — he should not return in a different characterization and in chiffon garb.
If he is not recognized in the new one upon his entrance it is no evidence that the same spirit does not animate both, and the perfection of detail and artistry in both characterizations is convincing proof of the same dominant spirit.
While the stories necessarily reflect in their style the high aspiration that prompted them, they prove, as O. Henry’s Ghost so vividly remarked, that a leopard can change its spots.
Flashes of the O. Henry who wrote “The Man About Town” are found in the bits of personal conversation from O. Henry’s Ghost, and the old and new are blended in the following birthday greeting: “I give you my gladsome wish for a comrade and gratitude for opening the doors to a scrivener. If it was the olden days I should have been foolish enough to say ‘Have a drink to celebrate.’ Now I shall tell you to take a whiff of ambrosia fit for gods and shall join you with a gladsome spirit. Here’s how!”
The sledge hammer blows wielded by the personality of O. Henry can only dull to insensibility and bring forth a murmur of “I think” and “I believe,” while the darting shafts of O. Henry’s Ghost will pierce the clouds and bring forth the chorus of “I know” to those who, having eyes — see — and having ears — hear!
It is today the same as when Plato said:
“Strange times are these in which we live, forsooth :
When old and young are taught in Falsehood’s School!
And the one man who dares to tell the Truth
Is called at once a ‘Lunatic’ and ‘Fool.’”
But at any rate, they go forth at the request of O. Henry’s Ghost and with the belief that the beauty of thought will be a joyful remembrance of one who was known as O. Henry.
Parma.
June 27th, 1918.
158 Ocean Boulevard,
Atlantic Highlands,
New Jersey.
COMMENTS
THE COMING OF THE STORIES
FROM the first we used the Ouija Board not as a toy, but as a serious medium through which we received guidance in our affairs and teachings of the Great Law of Life, for which we were searching. We were determined to have only the truth, and so we eliminated the frivolous and deceiving, who are ever on the watch for the ignorant user of the “Board” — to amuse themselves with his credulity, or through sheer devilish- ness to lead him to disaster — material and spiritual.
Those with whom we talked were Great Invisible Teachers — who were on the Earth plane to help humanity — and a close relative whose development we followed with intense interest, and to whose advice in critical moments we owe much.
This was the situation when early in September, 1917, we were told that if we would sit at the “Board” each afternoon about four-thirty o’clock, with a positive determination to receive only that which was worth while, and shut the door at once to anyone whose offerings did not reach a high standard, we would receive things that would surprise us.
Accordingly, on September 18, 1917, we waited results — they came as follows:
“My little talent I suppose you will consider insufficient/’
“Who are you?” we asked. “Useless to give name “ came the answer. “If you do not know when the story is finished, it is N. G.”
“I wish to tell the world what is theirs for the asking. To try and give them a new viewpoint in place of their erroneous ideas.’
“I did not know as much then as I do now. Before I wrote what the Self saw only — now it is what 1 know.”
“We’ll take a chance — go ahead,” I said.
Then followed a story called “The Contest.”
How do we know it was the spirit of O. Henry? We will let the record speak for itself. The truth always carries conviction, except to minds the doors of which are double- barred.
It was evidently the first time this Spirit had used a Ouija Board, for he was not sure of the location of the letters, and after the first paragraph said:
“My force is insufficient; it tires me to spell each zt’ord so sloivly.”
We told him to go as fast as he liked. He soon learned how to apply his force, and all went smoothly.
When the story ended, I wrote the name “O. Henry” on a slip of paper and asked if I had guessed correctly. The reply was “Yes.”
We were so impressed with the story that I said, “It is good enough for the Atlantic Monthly.”
The comment was, “If they take it, my revenge would be complete. That is for the Elite! I did not belong.”
The next day came first what was evidently a title, “My tussle with the Devil.”
We asked, “Who is speaking today?”
“An imaginative fellow,” was the reply.
“Is it the same with whom we talked yesterday?” we asked. “Yes; it is a joy once more to weave a plot.”
A little later, when the work was resumed after an interruption of sev eral days, O. Henry’s Ghost began with:
“I am glad to see you “
“Did you miss us?”
“That’s what!” was the answer.
The day was rainy and the story rather serious, or so it impressed us, for we asked:
“Why don’t you give us a cheerful story?”
His reply silenced further suggestion
s. It was:
“Kindly allow me to express what I feel/’
O. Henry’s individuality was clearly marked from the first and we had no doubt about his genuineness, but an incident which occurred one afternoon may serve to convince the skeptical.
Several times we had been bothered by the interruptions of a boy Spirit called William Mumm, who was possessed with an over-developed sense of humor. Often we knew that O. Henry was being crowded by others who thought that they should be given a chance to express themselves, and once or twice the writing stopped until things quieted down. On this occasion Mumm broke in with; “Henry is giving too many orders.”
On being told in a forceful way what we thought of his interference, he said, “My word! That was a hot shot! I won’t butt in again:” — and he didn’t.
Later, when we asked O. Henry whether others were present, he said, “They are hanging aronnd, but not butting in”
As we got better acquainted, there was more conversation of a personal nature before the story for the day was started.
To the question whether before he “crossed over” he had had any real Truth, he said:
“No, my teaching was hell and damnation.”
We, of course, were curious to know how he discovered us. His answer was in line with what we had been taught — that each person appears as a light, shining with increasing brilliancy as one learns the Truth and lives it. He said:
“Letting your light so shine led me here — I desired to tell what I felt and knew, and sought an avenue; your beacon beckoned me, and your teacher bade me enter “
Once when we mentioned a financial pressure he said:
“That’s the only hell there is on earth — that and lack of love which sends one to rum shops.”
After another break in our work with the stories, we were welcomed with:
“It has been a long time since we have talked. I wish you joy”
To our usual question “who is with us?” came the answer:
“I was called Henry .”
A glimpse into conditions on the “other side” was given when we asked O. Henry whether he had found a friend of whose “passing over” we had told him.
“No,” he replied; “I have not found him. He must be resting, and we make it a point never to disturb, for the rest periods are of the most importance and hasten growth. I shall watch for him when he makes his mansion.”
“What do you mean by that?” we asked.
“In the beginning of life here we make little progress — unless knowledge of the Truth has been ours before coming over. That is why it is so necessary to learn before leaving the Earth Sphere. Without that one must wander aimlessly or rest and gaze at things of the past — and our associates are other unfortunates who have had closed ears before leaving.
“When one has reviewed a certain number of lives — or generally a sequence of events — then comes a tender friend who points out advantageous work and study, and which, if followed, always means the beginning of progress and growth. It is only after that has been made use of that we begin our mansion or abiding place.
“Keep it always in your mind, the foundation stones are Knowledge, Wisdom, Power — and then it is built by the thought and desire of Aspiration, Beauty and Love.
“I want to impress upon you and all mankind the necessity of ‘Knowingr/ and, what is more to the point. ‘Believing.’
“If you will lend me your pencil, most generous person, I may be able to say all I want. Now it seems as if I never would be able to get rid of it all “If you would publish a magazine it would be a ‘hummer.’ The trouble is, there is no periodical which has any one back of it zvho KNOWS. They all prattle and the almighty dollar is the main thing. Truth would bring them faster than anything if they would only believe it. Let’s zvork it out! It would be great! Now to work, if you don’t mind.
“In a sunny nook by a babbling brook I have built my mansion.”
O. Henry was very enthusiastic over the idea of a magazine. Referring to it again, he said, “Call it the Sphinx.” Get at it at once. Have it contain only tales which teach, and Wisdom.”
Once when he talked on until late in the evening, and we became tired, he said, when the lateness of the hour was mentioned:
“It is all the same here; I forget. My impatience is still that stumbling block. With many thanks — good night”
One rainy day we were ready earlier than usual and O. Henry was evidently in exceptionally good humor, greeting us with:
“Well, this is a surprise! It’s bully!”
“Kind of nice in here. We do not feel the rain, but we like sunshine better.”
One story we received was not up to the O. Henry standard, and we did not hesitate to say so. Our views must have been rather more forcefully expressed than we realized, for he said:
. . “I have read and had many criticisms of my stories before, but they never came as hard or as fast as this one. Wipe it out”
With that he redictated the last half of the story, changing it completely and to the satisfaction of all.
With his next story we were particularly pleased, and on our saying so, he said:
I thank you and am glad you really like it. Have to watch my P’s and Q’s now or I will lose my publisher. It is great to be compelled to do one’s best. It means the continuation of aspiration. Lying Spirits do not aspire. Having publishers who will accept nothing but the truth and only the best one is capable of is a bit of a novelty. Pity there are not more of them for material, as well as spiritual fiction. You might get Hoover to add that plan for conservation of paper and ink. If we over here had more publishers like you there would be more truth spread broadcast. The trouble is most of the offices accept anything, just so it has a name attached.
“What’s in a name? — Nothing “What’s in a Truth? — Everything.”
Unless the Spirit moving the indicator on the board is an advanced soul, having great power, he usually draws from the persons he is working through. This O. Henry was at times forced to do, and so we understood, when one day, instead of starting a story he said:
“Your teacher says you hesitate to tell when you are tired. Better to have a perfect pen for tzvo lines, than none at all for tzventy. Tell me the moment you become fatigued. There is time for the lot. If you are depleted through my coming, it will be curtailed, if not stopped, and that would be too dreadful! Much better a half a loaf at a time than none at all. Please tell me. Your teacher thinks you have sufficient without what I am dictating, but feels that it is worth while providing you are not in any way injured by the work. I so want to have the opportunity. Do, kind person, tell me and let us go slower. Last night I chattered; no reason for it at all, except the pleasure of doing it, and you were tired, the teacher says, before I began “
We agreed to be more careful, and O. Henry said:
“That’s a bargain “ In speaking of the many plots crowding his mind and which he wanted to express, he said:
“Riches are a burden at times. I wish to rid myself of them. Quick returns will follow. With much material off my mind I shall be able to develop much, more worth while. Hurry! Life takes up so many hours.”
Before starting a series of stories of a different nature from those given first, he said:
“My wish is to widen the horizon. It is important for humanity to knozv. It must recognize the oneness of everything. We zvill write of more than man. I zvill give a series. First Beasts — then Flowers and J ewels.”
When these stories were completed, everything seemed to conspire to prevent the devoting of a quiet hour to O. Henry and his stories. Whenever constructive work is done, by which the Truth may be brought to many, the forces of destruction are arrayed in opposition. This we felt to the full. Twice stories were started and stopped after only a few paragraphs had been written. In one it was evident that O. Henry had been pushed aside and a complete sentence injected by some “Power of Darkness.” We at once realized the situation and put t
he “Board” away.
When next O. Henry came, he said:
“The time has been long. Why keep the Muse silent? I am simply overburdened with plots.”
When asked the cause of the breaks in the last story he said:
“I find there are still a number of people who believe they know better how to write my stories than I do.
This last time it was ‘Fiends/ It is important you keep the door closed by demanding you receive only the truth — for that prevents their taking definite hold “
About this time there appeared in the papers notices of moving pictures made from the O. Henry stories. We asked him what he thought of them, and his answer, concise as usual, was:
“Foolish rehash of yesterday’s ignorance In commenting on how few believed and how difficult it would be to find a publisher, O. Henry answered:
“My belief is you will have to do it yourself ultimately, if you cannot find some one zvho is independent. The trouble is that in a concern, one may believe, while the rest of the company do not yet see”
The conditions of everyday life became worse. We were able to snatch only a few minutes with O. Henry and asked him if he felt the confusion.
“It is a regular whirlpool, he said; the boat rocks. Until you can have quiet I think it would be wiser to postpone trying to write. My wish is added to yours, for if all disturbance is eliminated we can then accomplish a great deal without effort”
On New Year’s eve we received greetings from those with whom we had been closely associated in work, and last of all came O. Henry. He said:
“I do not belong, but I may come to the party, may I not?
“I am content to wait until it will be only a pleasure to hold converse and when we can relax to a real confab.
“They are good stories, if I do say it — but they cannot believe in a leopard changing his spots. Out upon that spot!
“An amazing thing that the stolid English are more awake spiritually than Americans, zvho have not yet been touched vitally. Some day they will awake and arise — and I hope then I can take part in the procession.
“My greetings and all aid possible for the year to come.”