Der Fuehrer - Hitler's Rise to Power (1944) - Heiden

HE IS BOTH TERRIBLE AND BANAL 69himself, he derived the opinion that one could recognize a Jew withone's eyes shut by the smell — supposing this was really his opinion;from the wretched suspender peddlers (like himself), failures (likehimself), petty swindlers (like himself), he formed a picture of thewhole race — as from the non-Jews who (like himself) shared their lot,he formed his picture of the common people.And through this whole dismal, vicious life runs the desperatestruggle against the city, the fatherland, the world which has notrecognized the artist-prince in him, and whose judgment has made himshy of humanity. With Hanisch — or Walter as he actually calledhimself — he constantly argued about his rank as an artist. This littlepeddler, who later learned to draw better than Hitler, was out to developa thriving picture trade; but Hitler sat in the reading-room of the Homefor Men, paying no attention to the unfinished drawing in front of him,wildly brandishing his ruler, and roaring speeches at an astonishedaudience. Sometimes he made a deep impression, sometimes peoplesimply laughed at him, and then Hanisch would have to console theweeping boy in the evening. When the shouting grew too loud, theporter rushed up and ordered quiet, threatening to throw the disturberout; then Hitler would pull down his arms and crouch over his drawinglike a model child. He was always quiet and well-behaved when theother was clearly the stronger; in Vienna he acquired a wild fear of thepolice which he has never lost.The friendship between Hitler and Hanisch finally ended in a quarrel,grave accusations and a lawsuit. Hitler denounced Hanisch, accusinghim of embezzlement, and perhaps Hanisch was none too precise abouthis accounts — so the court in any case decided. Hanisch, in turn, notquite so effectively, accused his former friend of having injured him andprejudiced his clientele by his laziness and megalomania. Laboringseveral days, Hitler had done a drawing of the Vienna parliament, a stiffand insignificant copy of a copy; but he was firmly convinced that sucha work of art must bring in a hundred kronen. Actually, when Hanischsold it, it brought in ten kronen and — the piece was still extant a fewyears ago — it was certainly not worth more. Hanisch was condemnedto seven days' imprisonment; later he called this an injustice, but