The drama of destiny

Prefatory Note

If there is anything of interest to man, it is his destiny. Man, of whatever shade or color he may be is, more or less, concerned in the problem of life which was set before him when he was called upon to work out his destiny. As a man, he was endowed with a mental faculty in co- operation with his physical strength to make his life effective, and upon his success will depend his happiness and welfare. Considering that man is acting m accordance with his free will, the successful man is naturally inclined to the belief that man is the maker of his own destiny. And while he believes this, he is giving offense to his unfortunate brother who missed success His unfortunate brother, who was just as active as he was, naturally believes now that man is not the maker of his own destiny. And right here arises the point of dispute. It is not ihe intention cf the author to make an investigation of this subject in order to explain the cause of the effect produced by »he action of Destiny; the author contents himself merely with furnishing an illustration that will show the wonderful dispensation of things by Destim , as regards life, over which man has no power. This can be shown best bA' a dramatic production in which the course cf event- take place in connection with man's activ^ity: Men are seen making plans; Destiny steps in and disposes of them while the observer watchss the performance. In this way the reader can see more clearly than in any other way, the cause, and the effect influencing man's destiny.

The reader is kindly reminded that this production was not intended for the stage and it was therefore thought unnecessary to specifj' the scene in the smaller details.

The author asks his reader kindly to do him one favor. It is this: Begin with the first line in this book, read it through to the etid without skipping anything. The reason for this is because the reader must be made thoroughly accjuainted with the preparations for the plot laid else he will not be able to understand it when the plot is carried into effect. Besides this the author shall be glad to know that the reader is benefited by "The Drama of Destin\' — Karl Hanno." This edition is onW a part of the subject and the remainder of Karl Hanno's destiny, which belongs to Part L, will be published in the next edition.

A Paul Gabbert.

Thf Drama of Destiny-Karl Hanno.

Section 1

[Scene — Karl Hanno, a man of thirty-eight years, and single, is seated on a bundle of evergreen surrounded by trees comprising the edge of a forest alongside of a mountain-meadow apparently weury and alone. His appearance gives evidence of poverty, and in the face of misfortune he enters into a short conversation with himself. He is met by Titus, a fortner friend, a man of forty-one years, who is married, apparently in better circwmstances, and by whom, he is also overheard in the last part of his story. \

Kail Hanno. — And I shall now proceed to the solitary and live henceforth the life of a hermit. And there, perhaps, I shall find a method by which to explain at, least one mystery in which all humanity is concerned — the Invisible Force. They have hinted to me man holds superior rank in creation, but one or two object lessons have taug'ht me the powers that have sway over all men. I was told shrewdness, dash, sagacity, a fearless self confidence commanding success, but they could not explain why I suffered defeat and calamity when in the battle of life I behaved well with all this valor. Therefore do I begin to be suspicious, and my situation causes me alarm. Why is this so? Heaven knows, I am left to myself. Therefore shall I go to the solitary and speculate on mystery.

I shall do this, and then say to Motherearth: Motherearth! here is thy sou that thou hast neglected as thou hast given immense treasures to others, by which means they indulge in happiness and pleasure, while I fall short of anything but a scanty existence; Motherearth! I have displayed a greater activity than those and I have strained my muscles in productive labor with an equal degree of intelligence, yet am I one only of the second or third grade; Motherearth! yes! thou hast sorely neglected me, and the bond of my poverty is evidence against thee. Therefor have I now refused to serve thee any longer. And Motherearth will then say to me: My son! thou art unfair in thy judgment, and the art of thy reasoning is committing offence against me; for I am in no way the cause of thy unhappiness, and thy grievance cannot be removed here. Behold the existence of a Higher Ordinance set forth by the all embracing intelligence. Fortune, or misfortune, is meted out to thee by destiny fixed by the Maker of all Things. If Motherearth is right the mystery is solved. If Motherearth is right I must unconditionally surrender to my destiny, fixed at the day of my birth, which after this period can never be changed by any manner of act on my part. And in my case I sav, "I see there is no hope for me."

The solitary! {Karl Hanno is met by Titus as he starts.) Titus. — Karl Hanno, Prisoner of Poverty: If you will but listen and follow me you may at once remove all of your grievance and your sinking hope wil rise like the bright morning star, but if you will not follow me then I solemnly say, "I see no hope for thee.'' I know as well as I need to know that by the strength of your muscles you h^ve tried

THE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. T

ever so hard to overcome the odds of poverty and to establish more happ)' conditions, but you have failed in your purpose. Now, when by the hardest licks indeed there is nothing- accomplished it is well for a man of ambition to avail himself of a piece of heroism if thereby he can accomplish great results. It sounds like a novel.

Listen!

"There is a deserted city on the hill

Of crystal shape, entirely filled with gold, And whosoever will may go and freelj' fill

His trunk therefrom, as much as it may hold." This I know, and the fact taken in its full measure, and followed by an act of a proper execution will prove that while others toil all life to acquire treasures, here is a chance to make a fortune at one move.

Only this: There is between us and the city filled with gold a river over which is neither a bridge nor a ferry established; this we must necessarily swim across, and as I have said, 'tis a good piece of heroism, as this is one of the greatest rivers in the world. But we will do it, as it can be done. Now let us proceed hence to this illustrious city and seize these earthly treasures and so secure for ourselves a fortune at once that by this means we may sweeten life to please the soul. Are you ready?

Hanno- — This is Crystal City. lituS' — So it is Hanno- Listen! It sounds like a novel:

This river I have iried to the uttermost To cross, but in vain, and I saw a ghost.

And what do you suppose he said to me? "Kee Kee, Ree Kee, no hope for thee I"

Ah ! you were not aware, Titus, that, inflamed by the thought of gold as once I was, I have tested the truth of this scheme and I deny that we are able to swim across the river.

litus- — Explain yourself.

HannO' — Why the tide of this river flows with such rapidity that whosoever shall venture to swim across is doomed to a fatal consequence, for such is the regulation of its natural laws- Hence I shall not go-

Titus. Hanno! Hanno! You will regret this opportunity and your mistake thereof a thousand times over. And that gold does not awaken your activity is a wonder to me, and that you are afraid of the river. "Kee Kee, Ree Kee, no hope for thee." This is a matter which, if you look it straight in the face, is nothing in it. Shrewdness, dash, sagacity, a fearless self -confidence — these things weigh heavy in the scale. It is "the man of blood and iron" that is destined to conquer and tower high above his situation of despair. Such a man is then happy, and he can say, I see there is hope for me- "Kee Kee, Ree Kee!"

Hanno. — Oh, I have.no objection; your talk is smooth enough, but that does not change the phase of the Higher Ordinance nor stay the hand of destiny. Shrewdness, dash, sagacity, a fearless self confidence — all of this will vanish like mist when pierced by the heavenly laws. Above all, a quick made fortune is more difficult to obtain than the one acquired by degrees, and if either of these two are certain, the latter be the one that I should choose. But I have no choice ; even hope has left me after all the chances of luck have gone. Prisoner of Poverty am I doomed to be until the day of liberation by death shall dawn.

lituS' — Is not that awful, to be destitute of hope, a factor so indij-pensible in life? But already have I made a physical examination of you, and that gives proof that you are adapted to accumulate great wealth, but success will come after you have advanced in life. This is owing to your natural development — slow, but sure, and in such cases without fail. This period has now been arrived at- 'Rise! and off to Crystal City we hail. Are you ready?

Hanno. — No hope for me that I can see.

( Titus staggers at Hanno'' s stubbornness.)

Titus. — That which is most conspicuous to all living beings is the notable fact that life, however insignificant it may be, is subject to strife. There are you, and there all around you are infinite means to make use of. Now, what will you make of yourself?

To be poor, in itself, is not disgraceful, but it is a crippled life. It would not be so but for the rich and wealthy, who formulate society; vanity rules the fashionable world. Again: Poverty, in itself, is not necessarily a misery, but it causes the domestic machinery never to run smoothly. We are able swimmers, perhaps the best of the best, and to swim across that great river is not so serious, inasmuch as others have swum it over from shore to shore. So shall we, and bring back with us a fortune such that the hardships of life shall trouble us no more. Are you ready?

Nanno. — ^'Kee Kee, Ree Kee, no hope for thee," is forbidden ground-

YttuS' — Upon MothereSrth nowhere is there forbidden ground. You are at home wherever you can shake the dust, and abound in sway wherever your voice may sound. Deny this tact and you are skeptically unjust.

Hanno. — That is all right; and again it is not all right: In God's garden there is always a forbidden fruit. Remember Adam and Eve.

Titus. — I am not here for the purpose to discuss theological questions. I am here to help you out of your miserable plight and to tell you how to gain an earthly victory. Here I have exhausted the art of my persuasion. You must decide quickly. Follow me now or I break off and your chance will be gone forever !

Hanno. — In this whole proposed scheme, faith I have none; and to sell my life for gold, this I will never do. And I say: Go! go away! I am tired and disgusted with your demonstration.

Titus. — Are these the thanks that I am getting for all the trouble that I have taken to make you happy, as I am aiming to make myself? Are these the thanks? Wait! I have a secret which is the key to the whole j^cheme and is known to me only. This I shall keep to myself, as you have insulted me- ( Titus leaves; Hanno is left to himself. )

Hanno {solihguiztjii^). — A secret! Yes, a secret; and he will keep it to himself, as' I have insulted him. If he is right, if it is true that he is ready to do as much for me as he would do for himself; and if it is true that he knows of a secret which is the key to the whole scheme, I acknowledge my mistake. If an access to Crystal City is connected with a secret of which no one knows but himself, I should not have broken off so suddenly. But why didn't he tell me so? Was it because he wanted to test the temper of my courage? Or was it mistrust? Or was it my stubbornness? Anyhow, I presume it was

THE IRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNO. U

wholly my blunder. Yes! and I would be only too willing to follow him through thick and thin if by this means the high sounding fortune could be reached in my behalf- May he come back?

Titus! O Titus! where are you? Well, Titus is gone.

- [Lotus appears, servant of Titus. ) Lotus — Karl Hanno, Prisoner of Poverty: How did you dare to insult one who stands nearest to your earthly good, and who was ready to drag you out of poverty? I dare to say that his demonstration touching upon your welfare was not with him a matter of talking to the wind, for he is a man who knows at what end to begin to secure rapid success. As to this I may say that Titus is in possession of a secret of which I and no other man know no more than that it is the key with which to open the door that is closed against access to Crystal City, filled with gold. There is a gulf between life and death, and now let us draw a line between the two half way, assuming that when man first enters this world he is on this line. As soon as man meets with gloom and misery he leaves the central line and goes away from life toward death, for death is associated with gloom and misery. And vice versa: As soon as man meets with happiness and bliss he leaves the central line and goes away from death toward life, for life is associated with happiness and bliss. A man not willing to sell his life for gold is perfectly justified; but a man willing to sell his life for gloom and misery when be can escape it is quite guilt> of a crime. All of your earthly grievances would cease to be and make room for happier conditions to follow had you yielded to Titus, who holds the key of access to Crystal City, involved in his secret.

Hanno. — Where is Titus?

Lotus. — Is gone, though not far. May I call him?*

Hanno. — Do so immediately!

{Lotus leaves Hanno to himself.)

Hanno {soliloquizing). — Well what excuse will I

make? What shall I say when he comes back? One thing- is sure: Whatever I will say it must be precisely that which will bring me back to his favor. But what on earth will that be? Trying to smooth things over in this case will not do. But I will do this: I shall come out right straight and acknowledge flatlj' my mistake, and tell him — what? Tell him that I — ( Titus appears. )

Titus. — A.nd what is the matter now?

Hanno.- — What is the matter! Well, what '\% the matter?

Titus. — You have grossly insulted me.

Hanno. — Insulted you! Yes! What under the sun have I done? I shall be punished like the wicked and be devoured by destiny if this, my blunder, is permitted to remain. Curse me for the insult passed through my lips. But hear me while I struggle in despair to make things undone. Pray, what is there for me to do? Speak freely.

Titus. — Revolt against the Prince of Poverty and I will help you!

Hanno. — To revolt against the Prince of Poverty is to revolt against the Heavenly Powers.

Titus. — To revolt against the Heavenly Powers is to revolt against yourself. That which is hidden in the depths of the soul is yet manifest in a man's conduct toward himself. And you manifest too much piety at heart. Shrewdness, dash, sagacity and a fearless self-confidence is essential with a

THK DR4.MA OF DESTiNY-KARL HANNO. 18

man of valor; and if this is not an inborn trait with him, it should be cultivated. The Heavenly Powers which you so much imag"ine are hauntingyou like the ghost on the sea; but they can be defeated. The Heavenl}^ Powers can be defeated by a power greater than they are themselves. And this is the Power of Faith. You are the Prisoner of Poverty, and as the prisoner of the state is confined within the walls of rock, so are you confined within the walls of poverty, of which the prince thereof is the jailer. Good luck, better chances and with a brighter prospect before me, which of course I owe to myself, I am fortunate with some means so as to nieei the necessaries of life with greater ease and freedom; consequently I am no Prisoner of Poverty. But I do not stop here. For the troubles I bear I ask a full compensation of life, with all its sweetness and glory combined, whereas the City on the Hill filled with gold shall furnish the means by which to succeed in this most noble design of mine. You are the one that I shall leave behind me, and you shall be deprived of every aid and friendship because you have rejected my design. Yet, I am not gone. The fact that you are tied down with scorns of poverty, and that this same poverty is the prison wall, makes it another fact that you cannot escape while poor. And I am he who is standing on the outside of this wall planning your escape and talking to you through the cellar window; for it is but for the sake of my sympathy and the love that I cherish in my bosom for you. Are you ready to follow?

Hanno. — To the ends of the earth, if necessary!

Titus, — This entitles you to the secret.

14 tHE DRAMA OF DESTINY-KARL HANNU.

— FACTS AND STATEMENTS. —

— Crystal City, a deserted place spread out on the hill of crystal shape which curves into the river, one of the greatest in the world, and filled with gold, is known to be, and is, located on the right bank of said river, in a country yet unexplored. The inhabitants of this once flourishing place, who certainly stored up this gold, are supposed to have been partly destroyed, and the remainder, panic stricken, fled on account of an earthquake which must have taken place at a later date, as the indication to that effect plainly shows. Nine 'miles above Crystal City the Great River receives from the left a tributary of considerable size, and the section enclosed by these lwc» rivers is called "Lonely Spot.'' Lonely Spot is mountainous, filled with caves and chasms, and, below, the Great River Cannot be approached on account of the swamp land which follows its bank down to the ocean. Upwards of twenty -two miles above Crystal City the Great River receives from the right another tributar}', of nine hundred feet across its channel. Five miles below this point the Great River admits a perpendicular fall, also one of the greatest in the world; and immediately above this point, and upwards for about thirty miles, the river is subject to rapids with a velocity of eighteen miles an hour. Owing to its great width of 11,000 feet, the river here constitutes a huge mass of whirlpools, and cannot be crossed by any means without facing peril and fate. Above the rapids the river is smooth, gentle in its flow, and can be crossed at leisure. But before reaching this point one must scale a mountain of 19,000 feet, almost perpendicular in its elevation. In the face of these odds anyone attempting to cross this river to reach Crystal City has resolved upon a most desperate scheme, in

THE DRAMA OF DESTINT-KARl? HANNO. IB

any case a dangerous proceeding, and if successful he

has achieved a victory little short of a miracle. But

we shall be spared this danger,

Hanno. — And do you blame me, in the face of all this, as I was equally aware of all these facts? And why didn't you tell me!

Titus. — Ah! I had a purpose in view: To test your courage, your bravery, your temper and disposition; and because you have not trusted me in my earnest remonstrance I demand now a pledge of of you, to the effect that you share with me every lot of fortune, or misfortune, or whatever the unknown future has in store for us, and that we do not part in our combined efforts until the fairest conditions of life and happiness are established. And I shall do likewise, and upon this pledge I shall disclose to you the profound secret upon which is depending all of our earthly hope.

Hanno. — "I do hereby solemnly promise to share with you (Titus) every lot of fortune, or misfortune, or whatever the unknown future has in store for us, and swear not to part in our combined efforts until the fairest conditions of life and happiness are established.

"In honor of this day."

Karl Hanno.

Titus. — "I do hereby solemnly promise to share with you (Karl Hanno) every lot of fortune, or misfortune, or whatever the unknown future has in store for us, and swear not to part in our combined efforts until the fairest conditions of life and happiness are established.

"In honor of this day.'' Titus

For it is but for the sake of my sympathy

And the love that I cherish in my bosom for you.

— THE SECRET. — — Once I had lost my way and was rambling about from place to ^lace until I found myself in Lonely Spot, in front of a cave near the riverside and apparently of an innocent nature. Night and darkness set in and the tempest blew from all directions, while the heavens announced torrents of rain shortlv to follow. There was no place for refuge in this solitary spot except this cave. I went in, lighted a torch and determined, if agreeable, to abide there through the night. By this time the rain had commenced pouring down in streams, accompanied by a severe storm raging horribly Over the landscape. As I ventured more to the interior, all at once I saw an object standing in the mouth of the cave. It was a panther. Perhaps it was the torchlight that frightened him, as he seemed to be very cautious in his manners. Another animal, a tiger, came in on a full rush, followed by a leopard; all sought'protection from the raging storm without. "My doom is sealed,'' I whispered to myself. But, as it happened, these cruel animals fell out with each other and engaged in a deadly combat. "This is my chance to escape," I again whispered to myself; whereupon I retreated farther back into the cave. Whether the weaker party gave way and fled, or whether they had compromised, at an}' rate the fighting had suddenly ceased, and to my disma}^ I beheld any number of these wild brutes starting after me, and they were soon close upon my heels. When my case became almost hopeless I discovered the cave running into k narrow neck and finally into a loophole, which was the pas.sage into another cave, just large enough for me to glide through, which I did in all haste. This shut off the beasts. This cave presented a most wonderful spectacle, and soon my fears

J gave way to its rare curiosities, whereupon I proceeded by deg-rees farther and farther. .How long- I remained in this cave I do not know, but I came out of it on a bright noonday, and, to my greatest surprise, on the other side of that g-reat river, and I stood on its right bank, which is on the same bank as Crystal Cit}-. As the outlet of the secret cave is immediately above the point where the tributary from the right flows into the Great River, I had another river, thoug-h a much smaller one, yet to cross; but beingwithout means and alone, it was useless for me to proceed any farther, and I returned again through the Secret Cave. And this cave thus far is known to me only. The tributary of 900 feet width from the right we can swim across at leisure, and after that the way down to Crystal City of twenty-two miles is clear. Thu5 we can reach Crystal City in safety and accomplish that which would be almost impossible on any other scale.

Hanno. — Now I can say, "I see there is hope for me.'' I have always had a burning conviction in my heart that I shall see at least one moment in life in which I shall see all of my wishes answered. But during my former struggles, by which I have come to naught, I held this to be an imagination, but here is developing- something that seems to confirm the truth of that. And who knows but perhaps sooner or later we shall be seated in the circle of earthly bliss? ■ Titus. — Ah! you have changed wonderfully; but keep cool. We shall master our situation and overcome all difficulties by deg-rees, and if anything- good is in our near future we shall attempt heaven and earth to accomplish our purpose. And as to this let us make our plan.

— PLAN, —

— A fortnight journey covers the distance by which to reach the nearest point bordered by the Great River, on its left bank, tvpenty-two miles above Crystal City, in Lonely Spot. Here we shall enter the Secret Cave, which I have hereon my map (produces a map), and proceed through under the Great River to the opposite side. The tributary from the right, which is 900 feet in width, and a shallow sandbar nearly half way across, making the actual channel but 500 feet, we shall swim across. The remainder of the distance is a straight march of twenty-tv\o miles to Crystal City. On our way home we shall do as we did before, except that all the gold that we can possibly carry with us we shall moor it across on the bottom of the smaller river.

Hanno. — But why go to such trouble as that? While there is plenty of grown timber along the banks of the rivers, why not construct a raft and ferry over, gold and all?

Titus. — For this reason: All the grown timber in that section of the land is of hard wood and sinks to the bottom like iron. Now, we will do this: The river is 900 feet in width, and a shallow sandbar of 400 feet, making the actual channel 500 feet. We will take a rope, adapted to suit the purpose, 1,000 feet long, tie both ends together, stretch it double across the river, one on each end of the rope, so as to have the river between us, fasten a quantity of gold to the rope and keep spinning it across the river until all is moored across. The scheme is genuine.

Hanno. — The scheme is genuine. Surely you need a partner!

TEE DRAMA OF DE3TINY-KARL HANNO. ig

Titus. — Yes! but look here: You will share half in the graitt- Many, many, would hail an oppor - tunity like this, but it is you whom I chose for partner and for possession of half of all that we shall g"ain.

For it is but for the sake of my sympathy And the love that I cherish in my bosom for 3'ou.

Hanno. — Most hig-hly do I appreciate this undeserved kindness. I will follow, and, as I have said, if necessary, to the ends of the earth.

Titus. — One thing- cannot fail: Devotion and love are commanding- in heaven and on earth and causingllie powers of hell to tremble.

Hanno. — I cannot overcome my feeling- of what destiny has in store for us in this our enterprise. I feel so strang-e ; I feel so isolated from all protection and safet}'; so ominous and doomed in the face of the immediate future. Yes! I feel the weight of destiny bearing- down upon my soul. It must mean something-. Thinking- to enter upon an enterprise connected with thousands of danglers and difficulties, it looks as though we are defyingevil and fate with the Heavenly Powers set ag-ainst us, I try hard to overcome these attacks, but since I have failed in everything- in the past that 1 have undertaken to accomplish, I have since become a firm believer in predestination, holding- that m}' destiny was fixed at the day of • my birth, and that after this period it can never be chang-ed by any manner of act on my part. What can I do for my escape when I am doomed? I feel so strang-e!