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possession, strange, Sturtevant, fortune, failure, success, presence, naught, albeit, brain, Currier, cafe, magic story, eyes, artists.

I was sitting alone in the cafe and had just reached for the sugar preparatory to putting it into my coffee.

Snow and sleet came swirling down, and the wind howled frightfully.

Every time the outer door opened, a draft of unwelcome air penetrated the uttermost corners of the room.

The snow and sleet and wind conveyed nothing to me except an abstract thanksgiving that I was where it could not affect me.

While I dreamed and sipped my coffee, the door opened and closed, and admitted - Sturtevant.

Sturtevant was an undeniable failure, but, withal, an artist of more than ordinary talent.

He had, however, fallen into the rut traveled by ne'er-do-wells, and was out at the elbows as well as insolvent.

As I raised my eyes to Sturtevant's I was conscious of mild surprise at the change in his appearance.

He wore the same threadbare coat in which he always appeared, and the old brown hat was the same.

And yet there was something new and strange in his appearance.

As he swished his hat around to relieve it of the burden of snow deposited by the howling nor'wester, there was something new in the gesticulation.

I could not remember when I had invited Sturtevant to dine with me, but involuntarily I beckoned to him.

He nodded and presently seated himself opposite to me.

I asked him what he would have, and he, after scanning the bill of fare carelessly, ordered from it leisurely, and invited me to join him in coffee for two.

I watched him in stupid wonder, but, as I had invited the obligation, I was prepared to pay for it, although I knew I hadn't sufficient cash to settle the bill.

Meanwhile I noticed the brightness of his usual lackluster eyes, and the healthful, hopeful glow upon his cheek, with increasing amazement.

"Currier," said Sturtevant, at length, pausing with his coffee cup half way to his lips, "I see that I have surprised you.

It is not strange, for I am a surprise to myself.

I am a new man, a different man, - and the alteration has taken place in the last few hours.

You have seen me come into this place 'broke' many a time, when you have turned away, so that I would think you did not see me.

It was not because you did not want to pay for a dinner, but because you did not have the money to do it.

I haven't any money with me tonight, but I, - well, this is my treat."

He called the waiter to him, and, with an inimitable flourish, signed his name on the backs of the two checks, and waved him away.

After that he was silent for a moment while he looked into my eyes, smiling at the astonishment which I in vain strove to conceal.

"Do you know an artist who possess more talent than I?"

"No. Do you happen to know anything in the line of my profession that I could not accomplish, if I applied myself to it?

You have been a reporter for the dailies for - how many?

Do you remember when I ever had any credit until tonight?

I have been reading a strange story, and since reading it, I feel that my fortune is assured.

Within the recollection of the frequenters of that cafe, Sturtevant had never before been called out by telephone.

Avery's statement, uttered calmly, and with the air of one who had merely pronounced an axiom, recalled to my mind the conversation with Sturtevant in the cafe that stormy night, nearly a month before.

There was a "night owl" wagon in the neighborhood, where I had frequently "stood up" the purveyor of midnight dainties, and to him I applied.

I think you will all agree with me, that it is not the story itself that performs the surgical operation on the minds of those who are familiar with it; it is the way it is told, -in print, I mean.

The author has, somehow, produced a psychological effect that is indescribable.

He receives a mental and moral tonic.

Perhaps, doctor, you can give some scientific explanation of the influence exerted by the story.

It is a sort of elixir manufactured out of words, eh?"

From that the company entered upon a general discussion of theories.

Now and then slight references were made to the story itself, and they were just sufficient to tantalize me, -the only one present who had not heard it.

At length, I left my chair, and passing around the table, seized Sturtevant by one arm, and succeeded in drawing him away from the party.

"If you have any consideration for an old friend who is rapidly being driven mad by the existence of that confounded story, which Fate seems determined that I shall never hear, you will relate it to me now," I said, savagely.

Sturtevant stared at me in wild surprise.

"The others will excuse me for a few moments, I think.

Sit down here, and you shall have it.

I found it pasted in an old scrapbook I purchased in Ann Street, for three cents and there isn't a thing about it by which one can get any idea in what publication it originally appeared, or who wrote it.

It affected me strangely, -as if I had come in contact with some strong personality.

The phraseology was an unusual combination of seventeenth and eighteenth century mannerisms, and the interpolation of italics and capitals could have originated in no other brain than that of its author.

I do not apologize for the manner of my expression, nor for the lack of literary merit, the latter being 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.

Much have I wearied my brain anent the question, how best to describe this recipe for success that I have discovered, and it seemed 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.

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 be ginned the first lesson to be acquired:------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.

Fortune will sometimes smile upon an intended victim because of pure perversity of temper.

Fortune, howbeit, is a jade who must be coerced; she will not be coddled.

Here began the second lesson to be acquired: Fortune is ever elusive, and can only be retained by force.

About this time, Disaster (which is one of the heralds of broken spirits and lost resolve), paid me a visit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Being a skilled workman, howbeit, I speedily found employment at good wages; but, having eaten of the fruit of worldly advantage, dissatisfaction possessed me.

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.

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.

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.

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 with 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 requisite courage.

It is fear which deported a man's soul from his body and rendered 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.

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.

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 own all things; you possess naught.

Now that you approach the end, you debate if it be not politic that you should cleanse your house and invite me to enter.

"The brain has lost its power," I faltered.

said the Presence, and he towered over me while I cowered abjectly at his feet.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Learn that the consciousness of dominant power within you is the possession of all things attainable.