The Complete Works of Brann, the Iconoclast — Volume 01Brann, William Cowper
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The Complete Works of Brann, the Iconoclast — Volume 01
Brann, William Cowper
Brann, William Cowper, 1855-1898; Essays; Reformers
"Peace to this house," he said, in a voice soft and sweet
as that of a well-bred woman. "A cup of cold water, I pray
you." "Water? Cert. Steer yourself against the cooler
over there. You look above the Weary Willie business. Sit
down until I find a jumping-off place in this article on 'The
Monetary Situation,' and perhaps I can fish up a stray
quarter that's dodged the foreign mission fund." He bowed
his thanks and sank wearily into the proffered seat. In five
minutes he was sleeping softly, and the editor made a
careful study of his face. It was of the Jewish type, strong
but tender. The beard was glistening black and had
evidently never been to the barber's, while a shock of
unkempt hair, burned by the sun, hung around his
shoulders like the mane of a lion.
"Hello," said the business manager, as he helped
himself to the editor's plug tobacco; "another of your
Bohemian friends? Some fellow who's tramping around the
world on a wager of 'steen million dollars? Good face, but
a bath wouldn't hurt him." The stranger roused himself and
the B. M. continued: "Neighbor, we were just about to
crack a bottle of beer. Have you any conscientious
scruples about joining us?" He winked at the bookkeeper,
and the stranger bowed his thanks, accepted the amber
fluid, scrutinized it curiously and drank it off with evident
relish.
"That is very refreshing," he commented as he wiped the
foam from his black beard with his sleeve. "Will it
intoxicate?"
He was informed that if taken on the allopathic plan it would
make one drunk some, but not the wild-eyed, murderons
mania peculiar to Prohibition booze. He declined a second
glass, saying gently, "We should not abuse the good things
of life." The bookkeeper was so startled that he missed his
face with a pint cup, and the mailing clerk did up a package
of hymn books for a dealer who wanted "Potiphar's Wife."
But the stranger was evidently unconscious that he had
forever queered himself with the Bohemian Club. He took
a dry crust from a leathern wallet, and, blessing it, offered a
portion to the editor.
"Jesus Christ! You don't eat that, do you?"
The visitor rose, a startled look on his face.
"You know me, then? Yes, it is I--Jesus of Nazareth. I
have walked the earth an entire year, clad as I was
eighteen centuries ago, living as I did then, mingling with
those called by my name, conversing with those who
profess to teach my doctrine, and none knew me. Nay
more: They sometimes spurned me from their doors, and
even delivered me to the minions of Caesar as a vagabond.
You look incredulous. Behold the nail-prints in my hands
and feet, the spear wound in my side, the scars made
by the crown of thorns upon my brow."
"But I thought your second coming would be in power and
glory, and all the righteous would rise up into the
atmosphere to meet you and show you a soft spot to 'light.
Dr. Seasholes says so, and if he doesn't know, who does?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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