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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 59868 ***
+
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+ Harold the Klansman
+
+ BY
+ GEORGE ALFRED BROWN
+
+ THE WESTERN BAPTIST PUBLISHING COMPANY
+ KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
+ 1923
+
+
+
+
+ Copyright, 1923
+ by
+ George Alfred Brown
+ NEODESHA, KANSAS
+
+ _All Rights Reserved_
+
+
+
+
+_As a tribute of love and in appreciation of her encouragement and help
+in my various lines of labor I respectfully dedicate this volume to my
+wife, Lela Lockhart Brown._
+
+ _G.A.B._
+
+
+
+
+_PREFACE_
+
+
+The purpose of the author in writing this story is to furnish the
+public with reliable information about the Ku Klux Klan, and at the
+same time give entertainment. It is also hoped that Klansmen who read
+this story will be given a greater appreciation of the Invisible Empire.
+
+While this is essentially a work of fiction, yet the principles as here
+elucidated are the true principles of the Ku Klux Klan.
+
+Statistics quoted in this story are accurate and quotations credited to
+real persons are correct. The story as a whole is fiction but many of
+the incidents are true.
+
+ George Alfred Brown.
+
+ Neodesha, Kansas,
+ August 14, 1923.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter I
+
+
+Ruth Babcock was a heroine. To be sure folk did not think of her as
+deserving a place in any catalogue where the names of heroic folk are
+recorded. She was known in the community as a girl with a kindly heart
+and plenty of grit. She was descended from fighting stock--her mother,
+who had died when she was twelve years old, was the daughter of an
+ex-confederate colonel, Clayton Jameson. She had run away from home to
+marry Fred Babcock, the son of Major Babcock of General Sherman's staff.
+
+The Jamesons were opposed to the match. Their family was one of the
+oldest and most aristocratic of Virginia. They knew nothing of young
+Babcock except that he was an intelligent, well mannered young man
+and the son of a major who had fought against the Southland during
+the war. Caroline Jameson had a number of suitors, scions of "best
+families," but, contrary to her parents' wishes, she refused to accept
+any of these and insisted on marrying Fred Babcock. When her parents
+positively refused to give their consent, she defied them and eloped
+with him.
+
+They came West and settled in the town of Zala, where young Babcock
+secured employment in the only bank of the town. When the baby came
+and Caroline Babcock wrote her parents that they had named their baby
+girl Ruth, in honor of her mother, the Babcocks received a letter,
+by return mail, containing a message of forgiveness and blessing and
+insisting that they come home on a visit and give the grandparents an
+opportunity to become acquainted with their granddaughter. In this way
+the estrangement came to an end.
+
+Two years before this story opens, when Ruth was eighteen, an event
+happened which brought Ruth, who had just graduated from high school,
+face to face with the stern realities of life. Her father was at this
+time president of the bank where he had worked for twenty years.
+Through careful economy he had become the principal stockholder. Ruth
+had noticed for several weeks that her father was nervous and worried.
+One night he was called out of bed and had a conference with Dick
+Watson, his cashier, and Jim Stover, the president of Wilford Springs
+Central State Bank. The next morning after this conference her father
+told her that Stover was helping him out of a little difficulty he was
+having in his banking business. That morning Stover took charge of the
+Ranchmen's Bank of Zala. The same afternoon her father was hurt in an
+automobile accident. He was seriously injured, and for a time his life
+was despaired of. He had partially recovered from the injury, but with
+his memory destroyed to the extent that he could remember nothing that
+had transpired before the accident.
+
+When Ruth inquired about the business she was told by Stover that he
+had bought her father's bank stock for twenty thousand dollars. She
+found a balance of only twelve hundred dollars to her father's credit.
+Stover informed her that her father had been in debt to him in the
+sum of twenty thousand dollars and that he had taken the stock to
+accommodate him. He showed her the assignment which her father had made.
+
+Most of the twelve hundred dollars was spent for hospital fees and
+doctor bills. When her father was brought home, unable still to take
+up active work and with his memory gone, Ruth found herself confronted
+with the problem of how to earn a living for herself and family.
+
+After consulting with Mr. Stover, she decided to take a stenographic
+course in a business college. In order to provide the money to do this
+she sold the home in Zala and moved with her father and aunt (who,
+since the death of her mother, had been their housekeeper) to Wilford
+Springs where there was a good business college. As she must husband
+her resources she felt it would be advisable to rent a residence and
+live at home; another consideration was her father's condition. She
+could not bring herself to the point where she was willing to leave
+him in Zala with her aunt; besides, after disposing of the home, she
+concluded that the expense of living in Wilford Springs with the
+family all together would not be as great as if part were to remain
+at Zala. After a year in business college she felt qualified for a
+position. It was imperative that she get employment as soon as possible
+as her finances were getting low again.
+
+She went to her friend and former advisor, Jim Stover, to ask his
+assistance in securing employment. Much to her surprise he offered her
+a position in the Wilford Springs Central State Bank. It was with a
+great deal of figuring--close figuring, too--that she met the bills of
+her family with the meager salary she received as stenographer.
+
+One evening, after she had been employed in the bank about a year, as
+she stepped out on the street she met her friend Harold King, a young
+architect, whom she had met soon after coming to Wilford Springs.
+
+"Hello, Ruth."
+
+"Hello, Harold."
+
+"Which way, Ruth?"
+
+"I am going down to Smith and Son's Grocery Store to get some
+groceries, then I intend to catch a Sylvan Avenue car."
+
+"If you have no objections I will walk with you to the grocery."
+
+"None whatever. I always enjoy good company."
+
+"How is your father?"
+
+"Apparently there is no change in him. He has a good appetite and rests
+well but gets very nervous at times and his memory doesn't come back
+to him. If I only had the money I would take him to Dr. Lilly, who
+is recognized as one of the best mental and nerve specialists in the
+United States."
+
+"It is too bad that so many of us have to be so often hampered for
+money," he remarked.
+
+"I can stand it except when we need it for the services of a doctor.
+I don't mind having to wear the old dress longer than most girls wear
+theirs, but when Daddy is in the condition he is and I think there
+might be some help for him if I just had the money then the lack of it
+hurts."
+
+"Don't worry," he remarked, endeavoring to comfort her, "circumstances
+may soon change."
+
+"Circumstances must change. I'll make them change," she said with
+determination.
+
+"Ruth, I wish I could help in some way. Maybe, if someone would suggest
+to Stover that he raise your salary he would do so."
+
+"He might. I have worked there a year. He seems pleased with my
+work but has raised my salary only once and that raise was but ten
+dollars. Of course, I wouldn't want to ask any of my friends to make a
+suggestion of that kind to my employer."
+
+The subject of salary was dropped and Ruth remarked, "There was a man
+in the bank today who said that there is an organizer of the Ku Klux
+Klan in town and that he wants to organize here."
+
+"I hadn't heard that," he replied, "but I have been reading
+considerable about Klan activities."
+
+"You haven't read much that was good of them, have you?" she asked.
+
+"Well, yes; I have read of some charitable deeds of the Klan and also
+of some other good things that they have done."
+
+"The most I have read of them were accounts of where they had whipped
+someone or given somebody a coat of tar and feathers. Mr. Stover said
+that it would be a disgrace to the city to have a Klan here. He says
+that it's an outlaw organization."
+
+"Really, Ruth, I don't know enough about it to judge."
+
+"Here is Smith and Son's. Goodbye."
+
+When she reached home, not seeing her father, she asked for him.
+
+"He just went for a little walk down the street."
+
+"How is he?"
+
+"He has been talking all day about that safe combination," Aunt Clara
+answered.
+
+"I was in hopes he had gotten his mind off of that. He hadn't mentioned
+it before since I told him they had found the combination and opened
+the safe. Which way did he go? I will go and meet him."
+
+"He started east on this street."
+
+She walked several blocks east but saw nothing of her father, and was
+about to turn back when she looked down a side street and saw him only
+a short distance away. She waved her hand to him and he waved his in
+answer. She was soon by his side. "How are you, Daddy?" she asked.
+
+"Busy, Ruth; very busy. I have been trying to remember the combination
+to that safe. I almost had it once--I got as far as two turns to the
+right and then back to the left to forty. I can't remember any more."
+
+"What safe is it, Daddy?"
+
+"My safe; where all our money is locked up. We wouldn't be poor if I
+could find that safe and get it open."
+
+"Where is that safe? Can't you remember at all?"
+
+"No, honey, that is what I am trying to do. If I could remember the
+combination it might help me to remember where the safe is."
+
+"Daddy, don't you remember that you sold your bank stock to Mr. Stover
+and that the only safe you had was the bank safe?"
+
+"No. I can't remember anything about ever having had any bank stock."
+
+"Can't you remember at all about being a bank president?"
+
+"No. I remember that you have asked me about a bank lots of times, but
+then you know I can't remember anything that happened before I woke
+up in the hospital and they told me that I had been in an automobile
+accident; except, that I had a safe with money, lots of money."
+
+"Well, don't bother about it now. Look at the beautiful roses in that
+yard."
+
+"They are beautiful. How wonderful it is that God touches the cold dull
+earth with life and it brings forth such marvelous beauty."
+
+Ruth looked up at him admiringly. He was a tall well proportioned
+man, a little past middle age. His features were noble, his bearing
+dignified. In spite of the loss of memory, his speech and acts
+expressed a refinement which had become second nature to him.
+
+"Come, Daddy," she said, taking him by the arm, "let's go. Aunt Clara
+will be waiting dinner for us."
+
+Aunt Clara was on the porch waiting for them when they arrived.
+
+"It's about time you were coming, the dinner is getting cold."
+
+"We are here 'ready to go,'" said Ruth, laughing, "and I have a
+wonderful appetite that is craving some of your chicken salad."
+
+"My dear," said Aunt Clara, "you are not going to be disappointed
+tonight. I have the salad prepared."
+
+"Fine! Doesn't that sound good, Daddy?"
+
+"Yes--if I can remember the other numbers."
+
+"I was talking about dinner. Aunt Clara has chicken salad for dinner.
+Isn't that fine?"
+
+"Yes, chicken salad is all right."
+
+At the dinner table Ruth remarked, "I heard in the bank this afternoon
+that there is an organizer of the Ku Klux Klan in town, and that he
+intends to organize here."
+
+"Mercy on us!" exclaimed Aunt Clara, "I hope those awful Ku Kluxers
+won't come to this town. I was just reading today of some of the
+terrible things they are doing in Texas."
+
+"I know it's two turns to the right, then back to the left to forty."
+
+"Father, we were talking about the Ku Klux Klan."
+
+"What's the Ku Klux Klan?" her father asked.
+
+"Don't you remember from your study of history of the Ku Klux Klan that
+came into existence after the Civil War?"
+
+"No, I have no memory of it. You told me about the Civil War the other
+day, and as you told me it seemed to me I had heard of it before."
+
+"The Ku Klux Klan was an organization that originated at Pulaski,
+Tennessee, in 1866. Its object was to preserve order. Local authority
+had been broken down as a result of the war and women were not safe on
+the streets. Carpet-baggers from the North were controlling the negro
+vote in the South and actually placing ignorant negroes in office for
+the purpose of preying on the impoverished South. The Ku Klux Klan
+was not only for the purpose of preserving order, but to control the
+political situation as well and keep ignorant negroes from office. It
+was claimed that while it seemed necessary to establish law and order
+at that time through an organization outside of the officers, since
+these were mostly carpet-baggers and negroes during the reconstruction
+period, there were many cases of abuses, such as whippings for minor
+offenses and occasionally someone even punished who was not guilty of
+any offense."
+
+"It's dangerous for people to take the law into their own hands," said
+Aunt Clara.
+
+"Yes, but you remember it was thought necessary to have vigilance
+committees in pioneer days out West. The old Ku Klux Klan claimed that
+no one was ever punished without a trial."
+
+"But wasn't there courts to give trials?"
+
+"Yes, but the civil courts were at that time presided over by ignorant
+negroes and by carpet-baggers who were anxious for political reasons to
+please the negroes. It is quite likely that there were not nearly so
+many cases of miscarried justice where cases were passed on by the Ku
+Klux Klan as there would have been if these cases had been passed on by
+the courts."
+
+"But you said a moment ago that it may have been true that some
+innocent persons were punished."
+
+"Of course that is always to be regretted but our courts often make
+mistakes also."
+
+"Is this the same organization that is coming here?" her father asked.
+
+"Oh, no, the old Ku Klux Klan was disbanded in 1871. Congress passed
+a law providing suppressive measures, and as the best people of the
+South, many of whom were members of the Klan, did not wish to oppose a
+law of Congress, the society was disbanded; however, during the time it
+existed it had done much to bring order out of chaos. My mother told
+me that Grandfather Jameson was a member. Today when we were talking
+about the Klan in the bank, Mr. Stover said that the Klan might have
+been necessary in the South in reconstruction days, but that the courts
+and police officers were now amply able to enforce laws and furnish
+the public with protection. He says that this new Klan is composed of
+outlaws, that it has all the vices of the old order and none of the
+virtues."
+
+"Judging from what I have been reading in the papers, he is correct,"
+said Aunt Clara, and then added, "Ruth, have some more chicken salad?"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter II
+
+
+Reverend Rossini was the priest who presided over the Roman Catholic
+parish in Wilford Springs. He was an Italian by birth and was educated
+for the priesthood in Italy. He had been in this country only ten
+years. He did not mix with the general public and apparently took but
+little interest in public affairs. Protestants often remarked that one
+thing that could be said for the Reverend Rossini was that he attended
+strictly to his own business.
+
+The Reverend Rossini was seated in the living room of the priest's home
+one evening enjoying a cigar, when his housekeeper announced a caller.
+"Father," she said, "Patrick McBryan is in the reception room and
+wishes to see you."
+
+"Have Patrick come in."
+
+Patrick McBryan was a local politician. He had held some office for the
+past fifteen years and was an important factor in every election. At
+the present time he was one of the city commissioners.
+
+"How are you, Patrick? Have a chair."
+
+"Glad to see you, Father. Are you well?"
+
+"Quite well, Patrick."
+
+The priest rang a little bell on the table by his side. A maid came
+promptly in answer to this summons.
+
+"Margaret, bring up a bottle of wine and two glasses."
+
+"Yes, Father." She courtesied and left the room. In a short time she
+returned with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. The priest poured
+a glass of the sparkling beverage and passed it to Patrick. When he had
+filled his own he held it up and toasted his visitor. "May you prosper
+and be granted many years to serve the Holy Church."
+
+"Thank you, Father; the same to you." After Patrick had emptied his
+glass he smacked his lips and remarked, "Splendid stuff! We don't get
+anything like that at Hennesy's."
+
+"It is too bad," said the priest, "that a lot of prohibition cranks can
+pass laws which compel the common people to drink poor liquor; and that
+where they do not have liberal officers, as we have here, are compelled
+to buy it clandestinely. It's a shame! The time will come, though, when
+we will have the votes to repeal this ridiculous prohibitory amendment."
+
+"You are right, Father. It's only a question of time until we will be
+able to restore the saloons. The expense of trying to enforce the law
+and the great number of violations will disgust the public and make
+them anxious to repeal the amendment."
+
+"Another bad feature of this law is that it increases crime. Statistics
+show that crime is on the increase in this country. Folk are restless
+without liquor. Of course, I believe that folk should obey the law,
+but a law that increases crime is a bad law. Patrick, have another
+drink." He filled the glasses again, and they both drank.
+
+"This is certainly fine, but a little expensive, I should judge."
+
+"Yes, that is another evil effect of the law. This wine was made in the
+famous Champagne district of France, shipped to Canada and was brought
+via airplane from Canada here. The runner is entitled to reasonable
+compensation but, Patrick, I tell you he is unreasonable--even to his
+regular patrons, charges five times what he should for this wine. It's
+a shame that the government will pass a law that permits grafters to
+take advantage of the public in this way."
+
+"Father Rossini, I came to talk with you about a very important matter."
+
+"All right, Patrick. What is it?"
+
+"A Ku Klux Klan organizer is in town and is wanting to organize a Klan
+here."
+
+"Mercy, mercy! Is that a fact? Do you know it to be true, Patrick?" The
+priest rose from his chair and walked nervously to and fro.
+
+"Yes, Father, there is no mistake about it. The Knights of Columbus at
+Asher notified us that he was coming. We located him at the Andrew's
+Hotel. One of our Knights of Columbus took a room next to his. Last
+night he heard the organizer and some man, whom he could not identify
+by the voice, making a prospective list. Our Knight of Columbus stood
+on a chair near the transom but did not dare to look over to see who
+was with the organizer."
+
+"God bless the Knights of Columbus! They are rendering valiant service
+to His Grace, the Pope, and the Holy Church. What was the character and
+standing of the men whom they were discussing as prospective Klansmen?"
+
+"They were among the very best men of the town."
+
+The priest resumed his seat. "Patrick," he said, "this Ku Klux Klan is
+a very dangerous and vicious organization."
+
+"Yes, Father, we often hear that in the Knights of Columbus hall."
+
+"Yes. I know we have often discussed it there, but I am afraid that
+you do not fully realize the danger. The Catholic Church is strong in
+the United States and growing stronger every day. Stronger not only
+in numbers but in influence and wealth. We have many men in important
+public positions, naturally this is to be expected--but Patrick, do you
+know that we have men in office out of all proportion to our numerical
+strength? Why? Simply because we are united. Politicians know that if
+they can get the support of Catholics that they will have back of them
+an organization that will act as a unit. 'In union there is strength.'
+The fact that we are united has a powerful influence in the industrial
+as well as in the political world."
+
+"Yes, I am sure of that. Down at the L. & B. factory we have Catholic
+foremen in every department, and the employees there don't need to be
+told that it is advantageous to a Catholic.
+
+"The Protestants are divided, and we want to keep them divided. If the
+Ku Klux Klan becomes a great organization uniting the Protestant men
+of this country (and it is having a marvelous growth) our influence
+will be lessened. This Klan organization is opposed to foreign
+immigration. In 1921 there were eight hundred five thousand, two
+hundred twenty-eight immigrants to the United States." (He went to a
+cabinet and took out a little book which he consulted). "Two hundred
+twenty-two thousand, four hundred ninety-six of these were Italians,
+my own countrymen, thirty-nine thousand, fifty-six were Irish, your
+countrymen----"
+
+"I was born in America," said McBryan, interrupting the priest.
+
+"Well, the land of your ancestors, then. Twenty-nine thousand, six
+hundred three were Mexicans. Of this group of two hundred ninety-one
+thousand, fifty-five, at least ninety per cent are Catholic. Of the
+remainder--one hundred nineteen thousand, fifty-six were Jews, in
+whom we have no especial interest. Of the remaining three hundred
+ninety-five thousand, one hundred seventeen it is safe to say that
+fully fifty per cent are Catholic. You see that the Catholic Church is
+gaining through immigration more numbers than all the other churches
+combined, while the next greatest number go to the Jewish Church. We
+must keep the bars down to immigration, as it means a rapid increase
+in membership for our church, and that means an increase in influence
+and power. Father Vaughn says: 'The tide of immigration is a Catholic
+one. And it is more: it is from these Catholic immigrants settling in
+the states, that teeming generations are to come condemning by their
+overwhelming numbers the sterility of the old American settlers.'
+Patrick, I am satisfied that if this organization is not put down we
+will never be able to repeal the eighteenth amendment. In the cities
+where the Klan has become strong our men have been voted out of city
+offices and our teachers have been removed from the teaching forces of
+city schools. The things which this organization has already done are
+outrageous and the things which they purpose to do are damnable."
+
+"Yes, Father, I know that what you say is true, but the Knights of
+Columbus are on the job to prevent the spread of this Klanism."
+
+"That is true, Patrick, I know it's true. A blessed organization is
+the Knights of Columbus! You said that the men suggested good citizens
+for membership. We must prevent as many of these good citizens from
+joining the organization as possible."
+
+"Father, how is that to be done?"
+
+"We must put out propaganda to discredit the organization. The press of
+the country for the most part is very helpful; occasionally there is a
+renegade paper that supports the Klan, but for the most part the papers
+that support it are small country papers. As you no doubt know, many
+of our metropolitan papers are owned by Catholics and many more that
+are owned by Protestants are under obligations to Jewish and Catholic
+advertisers. However, we must have a local paper that will quote the
+law violations of the Klan from the press all over the country and
+write editorials against it. Springer, the editor of The Journal, is a
+Catholic sympathizer, and I am satisfied that with proper inducements
+offered he will line up all right. If we can continually put before
+these good citizens propaganda to the effect that this is an outlaw
+organization they will be slow to join. I will see Springer."
+
+"Don't you think that it would be a good thing to get the mayor to make
+a public statement denouncing the Klan as an outlaw organization and
+warning the citizens against becoming members or in any way encouraging
+this organization?" McBryan asked.
+
+"That is the thing to do if we can find the proper person to approach
+the mayor."
+
+"Jim Stover is the man to see the mayor."
+
+"You mean the president of the Central State Bank?" queried the priest.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He's a Protestant."
+
+"Yes, but very much opposed to the Klan. A number of Ks. of C. have
+heard him express himself as bitterly opposed to the Kluxers. He is
+able to get anything he wants from the mayor."
+
+"You see him, Patrick, and give him to understand that if he stands
+by us in this fight he can expect more deposits than he has had from
+Catholics and that the Ks. of C. will return the favor in a political
+way whenever he wants it--just so they are not asked to oppose a
+Catholic or support a Protestant who is hostile to Catholics. Patrick,
+it would be advisable to get a Catholic or a Catholic sympathizer to
+join the Klan so that we may get inside information."
+
+"I know just the man. His name is Tom Glynn. He works at the mill. He
+told me that his wife is a Catholic and that he was raised a Catholic
+but that he had not been to confessional for so long that he no longer
+considers himself one."
+
+"See if you can't get him to undertake this mission for His Grace,
+the Pope, and the Church. Tell him that sometime he will want the
+consolation of the Church, and that if he renders this service I will
+absolve him and give him my blessing. I think that is all for the
+present."
+
+"Goodbye, Father."
+
+"Goodbye, Patrick. The Klan is dangerous and an enemy to Rome, but we
+have the Knights of Columbus, _Deo gratias_."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter III
+
+
+Charles Wilson, a prosperous real estate dealer, sat in his office
+enjoying the breeze from his electric fan. Charles was a hustling real
+estate agent in spite of his two hundred forty pounds. He had just
+returned from a long, hot drive in the country and found the fan very
+agreeable. He had just removed his collar and tie when a young man
+entered.
+
+"How are you, Harold? Have a chair."
+
+"How are you, Mr. Wilson?"
+
+"Just able to sit up and take nourishment. You see I am wasting away."
+Wilson shook his fat sides with laughter.
+
+"I hope you will soon take on a little flesh," said Harold.
+
+"Harold, how is architectural business?"
+
+"The facts are that I am not doing much, but I still have hopes."
+
+"It would be an awful world without hope. Just keep a stiff upper lip
+and things will come your way some of these times." Wilson's voice was
+so cheerful that Harold felt encouraged already.
+
+"Why don't you make a bid for the proposed new city building?"
+
+"I had thought of trying for this work, but I am not acquainted with
+the mayor and only slightly acquainted with one commissioner."
+
+"That doesn't make any difference, if you can convince them that you
+can do the work."
+
+"I have a good recommendation from the architect in whose office I was
+draughtsman before coming to Wilford Springs. Since I opened the office
+here I have designed only a few small buildings, but I am competent to
+design any kind of a building they want."
+
+"Harold, you apply for the work, and I will see what I can do for you."
+
+"Thank you. I will make application. I did not come up here to talk of
+my own affairs. I understand that your stenographer has quit and I want
+to recommend one to you."
+
+"No, my stenographer has not quit, but she is off for a two weeks'
+vacation."
+
+"I thought if you didn't have a stenographer I would make a
+recommendation. Do you know of anyone who does need one?"
+
+"No, not at present. Who is the stenographer you wish to secure a
+position for?"
+
+"Miss Babcock, the stenographer at the Central State Bank."
+
+"Are you interested in stenographers in general or Miss Babcock in
+particular?" Wilson asked with a knowing smile.
+
+"It's an interest in Miss Babcock in particular," admitted Harold.
+
+"Eh, you sly fox, I thought so," said Wilson as he gave Harold a
+vigorous punch in the ribs. "Well, I don't blame you. If I were
+twenty-five years younger you might have some competition, but as I
+am old and fat I presume I will have to trot along in single harness,
+pulling the whole load by myself to the end of the road. What is the
+matter with the job at the bank?"
+
+"She only gets ninety dollars a month. You know, Mr. Wilson, that that
+isn't enough for a good stenographer. Ruth--I mean Miss Babcock--has
+to support her father and aunt. They can get along on her salary, but
+her father was injured in an automobile accident and as a result of the
+injury he lost his memory. Miss Babcock is anxious to save enough money
+to send her father to a specialist."
+
+"I like to see a girl like that succeed. If she is worth more than
+ninety dollars a month Stover should pay it to her."
+
+"Maybe if you would make a suggestion that she should be paid more
+Stover would raise her salary."
+
+"I'll find out what she can do, and if I think she should have more
+money I will mention it to Stover."
+
+"Thanks, I will appreciate it and I am sure Miss Babcock will." Harold
+arose and walked to the door and then turned and asked, "What do you
+think of the Ku Klux Klan?"
+
+"Judging from what I know of it--from sources other than the newspapers
+I read--I think pretty well of it."
+
+"I do too. I hear that there is to be a lecture on 'The Klan' given in
+a pasture four miles west of town. What do you say? let's go."
+
+"All right, Harold. I'm with you."
+
+That afternoon Wilson went into the Wilford Springs Central State Bank.
+"How are you, Jim?"
+
+"How are you, Charles?"
+
+"My stenographer is off on a vacation and I need to draw up a contract.
+I thought perhaps I could get your stenographer to write it for me."
+
+"Certainly," replied the obliging banker, "come right into my office
+and she will get it out for you." Stover and Wilson walked into the
+office. "Ruth," Stover said, addressing his stenographer, "Mr. Wilson
+wants you to draw up a contract for him."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+She sat down to a table and took down the dictation without once
+asking him to repeat. When he was through dictating she went into her
+private office to make typewritten copies. The two men remained in the
+president's office talking. In a short time Ruth returned and handed
+Wilson the contracts and returned to her office. After looking them
+over Wilson remarked, "Jim, that's a fine stenographer you've got."
+
+"Yes, she's good and always on the job."
+
+"What do you pay her?"
+
+"Ninety dollars."
+
+"How did you manage to get a girl like that for ninety dollars? I pay
+my stenographer one hundred thirty dollars, and the chances are that
+if she had done this work I would have had to send the work back to
+have one or two corrections made. If you don't pay that girl more money
+someone will take her away from you."
+
+The banker smirked and rubbed his thin hands together. "I have raised
+her wages once since I employed her. I think a lot of Ruth, both as a
+stenographer and a girl. I will probably give her another raise soon.
+You see, Mr. Wilson, I am a special friend of her father. He got into
+some difficulty when president of the bank at Zala a couple of years
+ago, and I bought his stock to help him out, and of course I feel an
+interest in the girl."
+
+"Well, I must be going."
+
+A little way up the street Wilson met Harold King.
+
+"I saw Jim Stover and had a talk with him about the salary of your
+friend. (Just brought it up incidentally.) He said that he would
+probably raise her salary soon. You see he is an old friend of the
+Babcock family."
+
+"So I have heard."
+
+"Her salary is a little low, but I presume Jim never thought much about
+it, but since it has been called to his attention, I think he will
+raise it."
+
+"I thank you, Mr. Wilson."
+
+Harold could scarcely wait for night to come when he could call on
+Ruth. He was anxious to get business for himself, but he was more
+anxious that Ruth should receive an advancement in wages, not alone
+because she was a dear friend, but largely because he knew she had her
+heart set on sending her father to a specialist. Harold didn't believe
+that it would do him any good. He had talked with several local doctors
+who had examined him and they pronounced his case as hopeless. He knew,
+though, that Ruth would never be satisfied until she had sent her
+father to Dr. Lilly.
+
+That same evening when he called at the Babcock home he found Mr.
+Babcock on the porch, his head resting between his hands, his elbows on
+his knees. "Good evening, Mr. Babcock."
+
+"Good evening, Mr. King. Have a chair."
+
+"How are you feeling, Mr. Babcock?"
+
+"I am feeling better, but not very strong yet. I worry so much because
+I can't remember. If I could only get my memory back I believe I would
+be myself again."
+
+"Can't you remember anything that happened before the accident?"
+
+"No, nothing; except that I had a safe with money in it, but I can't
+remember where the safe was. I can remember part of the combination. It
+was two turns to the right then to the left to forty----"
+
+"How do you do, Harold."
+
+"Good evening, Ruth."
+
+"Here, take my chair, Ruth; I am going inside, if you will excuse me,
+Mr. King."
+
+"Ruth," said Harold, "I have something of interest to tell you. I heard
+it in the early afternoon and could scarcely wait until evening."
+
+"I have something of importance to talk to you about and am so glad you
+came, but first you tell me what you were going to tell of interest.
+You have my curiosity aroused, and you know that when a woman's
+curiosity is aroused she must know at once."
+
+"Here goes, then," he said, laughing. "I have reason to believe that
+you are going to have your salary increased."
+
+"That sounds good, but where did you get your information?"
+
+Harold then told her of his conversation with Wilson and of Wilson's
+report that Stover would probably raise her salary soon.
+
+"Oh, that will be fine! I thank you so much. I wouldn't have asked you
+and Mr. Wilson to have done so much, but since you have I certainly
+appreciate it. I am so anxious to see if anything can be done for
+father."
+
+"Well, here is hoping that you will get a raise within the next few
+days."
+
+"Will you please thank Mr. Wilson for me? What I wanted to talk to you
+about is the Ku Klux Klan."
+
+"That's a common subject of conversation nowadays. I hear it being
+discussed everywhere on the streets."
+
+"Mr. Stover called all the men employees of the bank into his office
+this evening and told them that any one and every one of them who joins
+the Ku Klux Klan will be discharged."
+
+"Are you sure of that?"
+
+"Yes, I heard two of the men speak of it after the meeting."
+
+"What are Stover's objections to the Klan?"
+
+"I do not know what he told the men, but I have heard him say that
+it is an organization of outlaws and that it is a great money-making
+scheme for the promoters. I told him that my grandfather had belonged
+to the old Ku Klux Klan in Virginia. He said that some good people had
+been connected with the old order but that this present organization is
+very different; that it has all of the vices and none of the virtues of
+the old order."
+
+"He may be right, and then again he may be wrong. There is going to be
+a public lecture four miles west of town Friday night and I am going
+to hear a representative of the organization explain it."
+
+"I don't think it will do you any harm to go and hear him, but I want
+you to promise me that you won't join. I have lots of confidence in Mr.
+Stover, and he says that when it becomes known that a man belongs to
+the Klan he will be branded in the community and never will have any
+standing again. You saw what the editor of the Journal had to say?"
+
+"Yes, but you can't always depend on what you see in a newspaper.
+Springer may have been sincere in his statement that the organization
+is a menace to America, but again he may be hired to say that, or he
+might be misinformed."
+
+"You also saw the statement of the mayor warning the public against
+joining the organization and telling the people that the police are
+amply able to enforce the laws?"
+
+"The mayor is a politician, and politicians do not like the rise of
+organizations that they cannot control for political purposes, as to
+the enforcement of the laws--if his police force are amply able to
+enforce the laws they had better get busy and do it. Case after case of
+law violation is brought to their notice and they refuse to act."
+
+"I was out riding with Chester Golter last night and----"
+
+"With whom?" Harold was more interested now than he had been in her
+discussion of the Klan.
+
+"Chester Golter."
+
+"Who is Chester Golter?"
+
+"He is our new bookkeeper, from Indiana. He is a nephew of Mr. Stover.
+What I started to tell you was that he said the Klan in his home town
+was composed of 'roughnecks' and thugs."
+
+"They may have had a hard bunch to choose from in his home town. Ruth,
+I do know this, that there are numbered among the Klansmen of the
+country judges, congressmen, ministers, doctors, lawyers, merchants and
+men from every vocation. I have this on good authority. It is quite
+likely that much of this adverse criticism comes from people who are
+misinformed or are natural enemies of the Klan."
+
+"Promise me, Harold, that you won't join."
+
+"Ruth, I can't promise you that, until I am convinced that this
+organization is detrimental to the best interests of America. I want
+to be a hundred per cent American, and I do not want to withhold my
+support from an organization that is for the good of my country."
+
+"You understand, Harold, that I am interested in you because you are
+my friend, and I do not want you to do anything that will impair your
+chances for success or injure your standing in the community."
+
+"I appreciate your interest, and I promise you that I will have nothing
+to do with this organization if I find on careful investigation that it
+is not lawful, has unworthy purposes and is composed of bad citizens."
+
+"I feel quite sure then you will not join, for when men like Stover
+condemn a movement the chances are it is dangerous and wrong."
+
+"I hope you will have the raise before I see you again. Good night."
+
+"Good night, Harold."
+
+As he walked to his room he was not in a pleasant frame of mind. He was
+concerned about what she had told him of the attitude taken by Stover
+toward the Klan, but he was worried most of all about Chester Golter,
+the nephew of Stover. Ruth had gone riding with him. He wondered what
+he was like. He knew he would not like him. He was sure of that. He was
+a little peeved that Ruth would go riding with him when he had been in
+town such a short time. He was a little fearful that his relationship
+with Stover might have undue weight with her.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IV
+
+
+The Klan meeting held in the open was well attended. Stover, Springer
+and McBryan had predicted that there would be but few there. Contrary
+to their prediction, there were thousands present. Many came to this
+first public Klan meeting through curiosity; others came earnestly
+desiring to know something of this much talked of organization.
+
+The next time Harold saw Ruth after this meeting she asked, "Did you
+attend the Klan meeting?"
+
+"Yes, I was there and heard every word."
+
+"I heard there was a big crowd."
+
+"Yes, the crowd was estimated all the way from six to ten thousand."
+
+"Mr. Stover said that they were drawn there by curiosity and had no
+intention of joining. He also said there was a morbid curiosity to see
+some Kluxers in their robes."
+
+"If they came for that purpose they were not disappointed. There were
+twelve men in full regalia who passed application blanks."
+
+"I should have liked to have seen them."
+
+"Some time when there is another one we will go, if you care to."
+
+"Did you like the speech?"
+
+"Very much. He explained the thirteen points of Klanism."
+
+"Thirteen points, you say; may I ask what they are?"
+
+"Certainly. These principles are not kept secret. You have the same
+right to know of them that I have and the other thousands who heard the
+speech."
+
+He reached in his pocket and took out an inquiry blank with the
+thirteen principles of the Klan printed thereon and handed it to her.
+
+She took it and read aloud as follows:
+
+I am a "Native Born" American Citizen, having the best interests of my
+Community, City, State and Nation at heart, and believe in, viz:
+
+1. The tenets of the Christian religion.
+
+2. White supremacy.
+
+3. Closer relationship between Capital and American labor.
+
+4. Protection of our pure womanhood.
+
+5. Preventing the causes of mob violence and lynchings.
+
+6. Preventing unwarranted strikes by foreign labor agitators.
+
+7. Prevention of fires and destruction of property by lawless elements.
+
+8. The limitation of foreign immigration.
+
+9. Closer relationship of pure Americans.
+
+10. The up-holding of the Constitution of these United States.
+
+11. The separation of church and state.
+
+12. Freedom of speech and press.
+
+13. The much needed local reforms.
+
+When she had finished reading, Harold asked, "What is the matter with
+those principles?"
+
+"Nothing at all so far as I can see, but I thought Jews and Catholics
+could not join. There is nothing said about either in these principles."
+
+"No, Ruth. The principles say nothing about either. The Jews cannot
+subscribe to the first one, the tenets of the Christian religion. The
+Jews do not believe in the Deity of Christ, consequently they are
+excluded from this organization."
+
+"That's so, but I do not see anything in these principles to exclude
+Catholics."
+
+"No; but the lecturer said that all candidates for membership in
+the Klan must, before they become members, be able to declare that
+they do not owe allegiance to any foreign power, either civil or
+ecclesiastical. Catholics cannot make this statement--as they owe
+allegiance to the Pope of Rome."
+
+"That makes it perfectly clear why both Roman Catholics and Jews are
+excluded, but will their exclusion not create bitter feeling and
+strife?"
+
+"It seems that the Klan has already aroused the antagonism of
+Catholics, and they are doing all they can to prevent its growth. But,
+Ruth, why should the Jews or Catholics object? The Jews have the B'nai
+B'rith organization and the Catholics have the Knights of Columbus.
+Protestant Gentiles are excluded from both of these organizations and
+do not object. I never heard of a Protestant condemning a Catholic for
+belonging to the Knights of Columbus."
+
+"Harold, what about the lawlessness of the Klan?"
+
+"You see by these principles that it is the purpose of the organization
+to put down crime and prevent violence and lynchings. The lecturer
+stated that in no instance had the Klan been convicted of crime."
+
+"The principles are good and the organization may be all right in
+practice, but some way, Harold, I can't help but wish that you would
+stay out of it. Maybe it is because I have so much confidence in Mr.
+Stover and he is so bitterly opposed to it."
+
+They were seated on a bench in the park. A dapper young man about
+Harold's age approached them and lifted his hat to Ruth. "How do you
+do, Miss Babcock."
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Golter, I want you to meet my friend, Mr. King."
+
+King stood and shook hands with him. The two men were about the same
+height, each standing a good six feet. King was the heavier and more
+rugged in appearance.
+
+"I heard that you were in town, Mr. Golter, but this is the first time
+I have had the pleasure of meeting you."
+
+"I have been quite busy in the bank since I arrived in Wilford Springs
+and have been able to meet scarcely anyone except those who work in
+the bank. I have had the pleasure of taking several rides with Miss
+Babcock." Ruth colored slightly.
+
+"You are related to Jim Stover?"
+
+"Yes, he is my uncle. Where are you from, Mr. King?"
+
+"I was born in Kentucky but came West with my parents when I was only
+nine years of age, hence I feel that I am of the West as much as if I
+had been born here."
+
+"This is my first experience west of the Mississippi. I was born and
+educated in Indiana." Golter, at King's invitation, took a seat on
+the bench. For some time they talked of the opportunities of the West
+compared to the East. Ruth was asked what she thought of the West as
+compared to the East.
+
+"I like the West," she said, "however, I do not know much of the
+East--except Virginia. I have been back there often to visit. It is
+a great place to be entertained;" and she discussed the hospitality
+of the people of the state of her ancestors at some length. She spoke
+in an interesting way of some of her visits to the old plantations.
+She was a pretty girl and had a dash and at the same time an air of
+refinement that made her very attractive.
+
+Several times while she was speaking King noticed Golter bestow
+admiring glances upon her in a way that told him that in Golter he had
+a rival; but that was no more than he had expected when Ruth spoke of
+having taken a ride with him a few evenings previous.
+
+"There is lots of excitement in town over the Ku Klux Klan," remarked
+Golter.
+
+"Yes. Were you out to hear the lecture?"
+
+"No, I wouldn't go to hear any of their lectures. I know too much about
+them."
+
+"You are acquainted with the activities of the Klan?"
+
+"Yes, the members in my home town were the lowest class."
+
+"Were you a member there?" There was a trace of sarcasm in King's voice.
+
+"Certainly not, sir," replied Golter with feeling.
+
+"How did you know then who were members?"
+
+"Well, I knew whom they said were members."
+
+"A matter of hearsay, then?"
+
+"Well, you might call it hearsay, but there are some things one is
+confident of though he is without positive proof. I know that the
+organization is lawless."
+
+"Now, that is what I would like to have proof of. How do you know?"
+
+"I read the exposure in Judson's International."
+
+"Aren't the Judson's publications Catholic?"
+
+"I believe they are."
+
+"Don't you think Judson's International might be a bit prejudiced?"
+
+"I don't think so. It's a great magazine. Well, I must be going. I will
+see you at the bank tomorrow," he said to Ruth.
+
+When Harold separated from Ruth at her home, she asked, "What do you
+think of Mr. Golter?"
+
+"To be frank," Harold replied, "I don't think much of him, that is, I
+am not favorably impressed.'
+
+"I think he's nice," she said, teasingly, and added, "don't you think
+he is good-looking?"
+
+"I think it's going to rain," Harold remarked and then told her
+good-night.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter V
+
+
+During the summer several public meetings of the Klan were held near
+Wilford Springs. Ruth accompanied Harold to one of these and remarked,
+when she saw some Klansmen in robes, "I would like to wear one of those
+myself. I think it would be fun!" However, she continued to express
+a desire that Harold would not become one of them, not that she did
+not believe that the principles were all right, but she heard so much
+adverse criticism of the Klan and condemnation of the men who were
+suspected as belonging that she was afraid that in some way he would
+suffer from joining.
+
+Occasionally it was reported that a fiery cross had been seen on mounds
+near the city, and a number of times passing cars had seen men in robes
+and masks guarding the entrance ways into woods or pastures.
+
+Springer continued to fire broadsides at the Invisible Empire through
+the columns of the Journal. He published all of the alleged reports
+of acts of lawlessness that he could secure from far and near.
+Occasionally he tried ridicule and referred to the Klansmen as the
+"boys who parade in nighties," and the "pillow slip boys." He said that
+there were only a few, a very few, in Wilford Springs, who belonged or
+who were in sympathy with them.
+
+The mayor of the city frequently warned the city employees that if
+it became known that any of them belonged to the Klan they would be
+dismissed from the employ of the city. One or two industrial plants
+gave like orders.
+
+As the spring election drew near there was a great deal of interest
+manifest, also a feeling of uncertainty pervaded the camp of the
+Stover-McBryan-Springer bunch who had dictated the politics of the
+city so long that they had come to regard their rights to dominate as
+inherent. There was the usual interest in the control of the affairs of
+the city and the public patronage, but in addition to that there was
+added interest because the city was to vote on the issuance of five
+hundred thousand dollar bonds for the purpose of erecting a municipal
+building and auditorium. One afternoon, about two months before the
+election date, McBryan was transacting some business in the Wilford
+Central State Bank. Stover noticed him at the cashier's window, and
+said, "Mac, when you're through there I would like to see you in the
+office." When McBryan came into the president's office, Stover said,
+"Do you realize that it's only two months until election?"
+
+"Yes, I know it, and we had better get busy at once."
+
+"Let's have a little caucus here in my office tonight and fix up a
+slate."
+
+"Whom shall we ask to be present?"
+
+"Not many. It doesn't take many to do the head work, we want the rabble
+to do the voting. I think we should have Hennesy; he controls the votes
+of the roughnecks, and Thompson should be invited."
+
+"Does Thompson want the nomination again for mayor?"
+
+"No, it would be useless for him to try again. There is too big a
+'holler' about the non-enforcement of law. Abe Greene has announced
+himself as a law-enforcement candidate, and he will be a hard man to
+beat. We must get a man that there is nothing against. I told Thompson
+that he'd better not try it and that we would take care of him in some
+other way. Of course we want Springer present."
+
+"All right, you notify Thompson and Springer, and I will see Hennesy.
+What time shall we meet?"
+
+"Nine o'clock. We want to keep this meeting secret. There are a lot of
+people who resent slate fixing, but there must always be leaders."
+
+"Sure, there must be leaders," replied McBryan, as he left the room.
+
+That night McBryan, Hennesy, Springer, Thompson and Stover met in the
+bank office. "Let's see, are we all here? Here's Thompson, who has a
+big personal following, and Hennesy, who has a lot of good patrons
+whom he can control, Springer furnishes the publicity and shapes the
+opinions of the general public and McBryan represents the Catholic
+vote. We have a real lineup. They can't beat it," remarked Stover,
+rubbing his skinny hands together and smiling one of those hungry
+smiles of the avaricious before devouring a meal.
+
+"We need a good lineup," said Springer, "the insurgents are going to
+make a desperate effort to control the election and have put up a
+strong man for mayor."
+
+"That's so," replied Stover, "Abe Green will not be an easy man to
+beat. He has always trained with the prohibition crowd, and in addition
+to that he is a successful business man. What we must do is to get a
+candidate for mayor who can divide the dry vote with him."
+
+"We ought to have Isaac Goldberg here, too. We can't afford to neglect
+the Jews," said Springer.
+
+"That's right," Thompson affirmed.
+
+"We simply overlooked Goldberg. I will call him and ask him over."
+
+Stover went to the 'phone and called Goldberg, and in a few minutes the
+little Jew came puffing in. "Vat is it, vel, vel, vat is wrong? Has
+anytings happened to the monies market?"
+
+"No, Goldberg, there's nothing wrong with the money market. Stocks and
+bonds are steady."
+
+"Vat den, vat den?"
+
+"There is an election close on the way," explained Stover.
+
+"An election is it, vell?"
+
+"Yes," said Stover, "we've got a hard fight on. Greene has come out as
+a law enforcement candidate and we must get busy or he will be elected."
+
+"The Ku Klux Klan are getting strong, and of course they will be for
+Greene," Springer remarked.
+
+"No, the Ku Klux are not strong, they are veak, veak, I say."
+
+"I have an idea that there are more of them here than you think for,
+and we must be on the job or they will get control."
+
+"You say in your Journal that they are veak, very veak. Vy don't you
+tell the truth, Springer?" Goldberg was becoming excited.
+
+Springer laughed.
+
+"Goldberg, you don't always tell the truth to your customer when you
+try to sell him a suit of clothes."
+
+"Yes, yes, I tells dem shust the truth."
+
+"Wait a minute, Goldberg. I was in the store the other day and you sold
+a fellow a suit of clothes. When he asked you if it were a new suit you
+told him it was. Now, I happen to know that that suit was sold to you
+by a fellow that was hard up and it was a second-hand suit."
+
+"It would not have been goot bezness to tell it vas second-hand. It vas
+shust as goot as new."
+
+"Neither would it be good business for me to tell the public that the
+Klan is getting strong. There are always a lot of people who want to
+go with the crowd."
+
+The Jew laughed and slapped the editor on the back. "I see you vas a
+bezness man," he said.
+
+"Come, boys, let's get to business," said Stover.
+
+"What about the 'niggers'?" Thompson asked.
+
+"I'll handle the 'niggers'--just leave that to me. You never want to
+take a 'nigger' into your conferences. You don't want him to get the
+idea that he is of much importance. Decide what you want him to do and
+then tell him to do it. If necessary, bring pressure enough to bear on
+him to make him do it."
+
+"The question is, whom shall we put up for mayor? We want a man that
+there is nothing against but one who is not radical on anything,"
+Springer remarked.
+
+"How would Bill Frazier be?" Thompson asked.
+
+"He would run well but he is pretty 'bull-headed.' We might have
+trouble with him after he was elected," Springer answered.
+
+"Fred Clark is a good, clean fellow, at any rate, no one has 'got
+anything on him,'" said Thompson.
+
+"Fine! He is good timber. He seldom expresses an opinion on anything,"
+said Stover.
+
+"But do you know we can handle him?" McBryan asked.
+
+"Sure. He will be all right. He owes the bank seven thousand
+dollars--he couldn't afford to turn us down."
+
+It was agreed that Clark should be the candidate for mayor. McBryan was
+to run again for commissioner. A Jew was selected for a place on the
+ticket. When men had been selected for all the offices, Goldberg and
+Stover were appointed as the committee to get their consent.
+
+"Before you say anything to these men," McBryan advised, "I had better
+take the list to Father Rossini for his approval."
+
+This suggestion was well received by the others, and they agreed to
+meet the following night to hear McBryan's report from the priest.
+When they met the next evening McBryan reported that the priest was
+favorable to all of the selections except one, whom he knew to have
+expressed anti-Catholic sentiment. The name of this man was dropped and
+another substituted.
+
+During the following three weeks Springer announced the names of these
+men as candidates. It would not do to announce them all at once as the
+public might suspect a secret caucus.
+
+These leaders went to work at once to elect their candidates. Rastus
+Jones was the colored janitor of the Wilford Springs Central State
+Bank. He was a good janitor and prided himself on the fact that he was
+the janitor of the "biggest bank in Wilford Springs." Like most members
+of his race, he was superstitious and possessed an imagination that
+became very active under the stimulus of fear.
+
+"Rastus," said Stover as the janitor was straightening things in his
+office, "what do you think of the race for mayor?"
+
+"Law, Mistah Stover, I don't know much about elections. I ain't no
+politician."
+
+"What do the colored folks think of the candidates for mayor?"
+
+"I hears a heap o' them say that they's goin' to vote for Mistah
+Greene--that he's a powerful good man."
+
+"Do they talk that way, Rastus?"
+
+"Yes, sar, lots of them do."
+
+"Rastus, you tell your friends that if they vote for Greene they are
+working against their own interests. Greene is in favor of the Ku Klux
+Klan."
+
+"Fo' de Lawd's sake! You sholy don't mean dat, Mistah Stover!" Rastus
+dropped the waste basket which he held in his hand and threw up both
+hands.
+
+"Yes, that's a fact, Rastus, and you know what the Ku Klux Klan is."
+
+"Yes, sar; I's herd my ole father tell how they uster whip niggers down
+South afteh the wa'."
+
+"The new order is worse on colored men than the old one. I was reading
+where they took a colored man from his home the other night and whipped
+him--and then gave him a coat of tar and feathers, just because he had
+had a dispute with a white man over a bill that the white man owed him."
+
+"Is that a fac'?"
+
+"In many places they run the negroes out of the country."
+
+"Lawd help us! You sure that Mistah Greene is for the Ku Klux?"
+
+"Yes, there are a few of them here now and they are supporting him. If
+we can elect Clark we can see that they do not do any damage here. I
+advise you to tell your friends that if they want to get a flogging or
+swing from a tree some dark night just to go ahead and vote for Greene."
+
+"Say, Mistah Stover, you don't know nuffin' 'bout niggahs if you think
+they're goin' to vote fo' Greene after I tell 'em about them Kluxers."
+
+"Mr. Roberts is waiting out here to see you," one of the bookkeepers
+informed Stover as Rastus left his office.
+
+"Tell him to come in."
+
+Roberts was a small contractor who had a good reputation for honesty.
+
+"How are you, Roberts? Have a chair."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"What can I do for you?"
+
+"I just wanted to talk with you a little while. What do you think of
+Clark's chance for election?"
+
+"Fine! I don't think there is any doubt about it. He has the support of
+all the good politicians."
+
+"If he is elected, he is willing to appoint me chief of police."
+
+"That suits me. You would be a good man for the place."
+
+"Clark says that campaign expenses are heavy and he would like to have
+me 'kick in' two hundred dollars."
+
+"That would be a safe investment."
+
+"The trouble is I am short at this time. I haven't the two hundred."
+
+"That's all right, you needn't let that worry you." Stover picked up
+his pen, took a promissory note from a pigeon hole and made it out for
+two hundred and passed it to Roberts, who signed it and received the
+money, which he contributed to the campaign fund.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VI
+
+
+"Have a chair. I will call her," Clara Babcock said to the young man
+who had called and asked for Ruth. She went to Ruth's room where she
+was pounding away on a typewriter. Several months previous Ruth had
+been hopeful of securing a raise in salary but the raise had not come.
+When the second pay-day failed to bring the increase, she inserted an
+advertisement in the paper asking for stenographic work to be done of
+evenings. In this way she was able to earn from six to ten dollars a
+week toward a fund to send her father to Dr. Lilly. She was joyful
+every time she could add a dollar to this fund, although she knew that
+she was doing this extra work at the expense of her health.
+
+When her aunt entered her room she found Ruth playing a merry little
+tune on the typewriter.
+
+"Ruth, dear, there is a young gentleman here to see you."
+
+"Is it Mr. King?"
+
+"No, Mr. Golter. He is in his car. I suspect he has come to take you
+for a ride."
+
+"I haven't time to go riding. I have more work than I can get done by
+tomorrow night."
+
+"Ruth, you are sticking too close to your work. If you can't get the
+work out and take an hour or so for recreation you had better let it go
+until the next day."
+
+"I don't like to disappoint my customers."
+
+"I know you don't, dear, but it is not right for you not to take any
+recreation."
+
+"Well, if I take a little time off tonight maybe I can work a little
+longer and faster and make it up tomorrow night."
+
+"Tell him I will be in in a minute."
+
+Her aunt left to deliver the message, and Ruth looked at herself in the
+mirror, tucked in a few straggling wisps of hair, rubbed her face with
+her powder puff, but the tired expression would not rub off. It stared
+at her from the mirror. There was no disputing the fact that the home
+work after banking hours was telling on her.
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Golter," she greeted in a cheery voice when she
+entered the room where the young man was seated.
+
+"Good evening, Miss Babcock. I thought that perhaps you would like to
+take a ride."
+
+"I enjoy riding and would be pleased to go for a short ride. I have
+such a demand on my time that I cannot be out late."
+
+She walked to the far end of the living room where her father was
+seated with the evening paper. "Papa," she said, "I am going for a
+ride. I will not be gone long."
+
+"All right, Ruth. Good evening, Mr. Golter."
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Babcock."
+
+After riding a few minutes in the fresh air Ruth felt revived. "How
+invigorating the air is! It certainly refreshes one to ride in the
+fresh air when tired."
+
+"Yes, I couldn't get along without a car. That makes me think of it.
+You remember that fellow you introduced me to in the park--let's see,
+what is his name?"
+
+"Do you mean Mr. King?"
+
+"Yes, that's it--King. What I was going to tell you was that the Dodge
+Auto Sales Company are offering the car they sold him a few months
+ago, for sale at a bargain. It seems that they sold it to him on time
+and had to take it back. I should think it would be very humiliating
+to a man in business to have to do a thing of that kind." Ruth knew
+all about his car deal. Harold had told her. His uncle owed him two
+thousand dollars which was due three months after he purchased the
+car. He had expected to finish paying for it out of this. When the
+money came due his uncle had written him that he had been disappointed
+in some financial matters and that it would work a hardship on him to
+repay it at that time. Rather than work this hardship on his uncle he
+turned the car back and lost what he had paid on it. Ruth wondered
+whether Golter was simply telling this as a news item or whether
+he was seeking to belittle Harold. She feared the latter and felt a
+resentment rise within her. A desire to resent in strong language this
+slur aimed at her friend tugged at her heart strings, but she held
+herself in leash; her judgment told her that she might be mistaken as
+to his motive, but she was sure she saw in the remark the manifestation
+of littleness in Golter.
+
+She replied, "Yes, of course it is embarrassing to anyone to be unable
+to meet his obligations. Sometimes this is due to no fault of his own."
+
+"Yes, there are occasional cases where that is true, but Uncle Jim says
+that this fellow is a ne'er-do-well."
+
+She felt her face burn and was thankful that it was too dark for him to
+see her flushed face.
+
+"Mr. King has been in business for himself but a short time. He is a
+young man and has talent and ability, and I am sure when he has had his
+chance he will succeed."
+
+"He may have ability, but you know there are some people who never can
+cash in their talents. Uncle Jim was saying the other day that so many
+men with education lack practical knowledge. Uncle Jim has but little
+education, but he has much practical sense, which has enabled him to
+make money. Miss Babcock, do you know that in all probability Uncle Jim
+is the wealthiest man in Wilford Springs?"
+
+"I know that Mr. Stover is very wealthy and I have lots of confidence
+in both his honesty and ability. Speaking of what he said about
+educated people lacking practical knowledge, I have often heard my
+father refer to their inability to make money. He said that one reason
+so many educated men were poor was due to the fact that many of them
+spent the best years of their lives in lines of work where there were
+no opportunities to make money. This, he said, was often the case with
+preachers and teachers. After they find that their meager salaries
+will not provide for the increasing needs of their families, or when
+they realize that old age is creeping on them and that when they can
+no longer serve as pastor or teacher the gaunt wolf which has been
+hounding their steps for years will draw nearer until at last his hot
+breath will be felt on their cheeks and later his fangs will tear their
+flesh, they quit their jobs in desperation and attempt to compete
+without capital with men who have been studying the business game
+and acquiring capital all of their lives; it is no wonder that many
+fail. The wonder is that so many succeed. Sometimes the educated man
+has ideals that will not permit him to make money in ways others who
+succeed consider legitimate."
+
+"I believe you have missed your calling. What an orator you are!"
+
+"I was just telling you what my father said."
+
+"No doubt what your father says is true in regard to the classes you
+mentioned. I am thinking more of those who work all their lives in
+the line of their talents but fail to cash in, as musicians, artists,
+poets, designers, etc. Some fellows with ability often sit around and
+let other fellows with much less talent surpass them in making money
+out of their talents. Why? Because one fellow lacks practical sense and
+the other possesses it."
+
+Ruth felt that Golter had come just as near naming architects as he
+felt he dared to.
+
+"Changing the subject, who are you going to vote for, for mayor?" he
+asked.
+
+"I am not old enough to vote," she replied.
+
+"Oh, excuse me, I should have thought of that. I am sure you do not
+look old enough to be a voter. How stupid of me!" He continued to make
+most profuse apologies.
+
+"That's all right. You needn't try to fix it. I know you mistook me for
+an old grandmother," she said, laughing.
+
+After they had driven about for an hour Ruth suggested that she must
+return home. As she stepped from the car Golter attempted to compliment
+her on her good looks, but she interrupted him with a curt good-night.
+
+She found her father still sitting where she had left him in his great
+arm chair, asleep over his paper. She placed her hand gently on his
+shoulder and spoke to him, "Daddy, wake up." He opened his eyes with a
+start. "It's you, is it, Ruth? I was dreaming."
+
+"What did you dream about, Daddy?"
+
+"I remembered the rest of that combination. It was two turns to the
+right, to the left to forty and then to the right to thirty-two.
+I dreamed that I showed this combination to a man in whom I had
+confidence and he stole my money."
+
+"Father, we never had a safe except the bank safe, and you sold your
+bank stock."
+
+"I don't remember anything about having any bank stock, but if I did
+have it and sold it, where is the money?"
+
+"You owed Mr. Stover, and he took the bank stock to satisfy the debt
+as an accommodation to you. You told me the night before you were hurt
+that he was going to help you out. You know I have told you this many
+times before."
+
+"Yes, I know you have, and I have tried hard to remember, but I
+can't--I just can't."
+
+"Well, don't worry about it, Daddy. We have plenty to live on."
+
+"But, dear," he said, placing his arm affectionately about her, "it
+is you I am thinking about. I don't like to have you work so hard to
+support an old worthless fellow like me. If I could just get over
+having this pain in my head so much I would be able to work."
+
+"There, there, Daddy, I don't want you to worry. Some of these times
+we are going to send you to Dr. Lilly and get you fixed up so that you
+will be as good as new. I have ninety dollars in my special fund for
+this already."
+
+The father stooped and kissed his daughter on the forehead and then
+went to his room.
+
+Ruth stood looking after him until he had closed the door to his room
+behind him, then shook her head and sighed. As she passed her Aunt
+Clara's room her aunt called to her, "Is that you, Ruth?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You had another caller. He came just a few minutes after you left."
+
+"Who was it?"
+
+"Mr. King. He sure looked down his nose when I told him that you had
+gone riding."
+
+"You should have told him I was 'not in.' I fear that I will have to
+coach you," she said, laughing. "Really," she added, "I am sorry that I
+was not at home when Mr. King called."
+
+"Well, you needn't be," said her aunt, who had never had a love affair
+and who was inclined to be mercenary, "you were with the one who has
+some money of his own and who belongs to a wealthy family."
+
+Ruth went on to her own room, closed the door behind her, threw herself
+on the bed and gave way to tears.
+
+When Harold King had been informed that Ruth was out riding he felt
+keen disappointment and had a strong suspicion as to whom she was
+riding with. As he was riding home on the street car his suspicions
+were confirmed as a roadster passed the street car under an electric
+light. He at once sank into the valley of despondency where jealousy
+like a poisonous miasma sickens the heart.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VII
+
+
+The city election resulted in a complete triumph for the anti-law
+enforcement, anti-prohibition, anti-Ku Klux crowd. The Klan not being
+fully organized took no active part, as an organization, in the
+election. The enemies of the Klan who were supporting the Clark ticket,
+used the Klan as a scarecrow to line up the Catholics, Jews, negroes
+and bootleggers for Clark. This influence, together with the personal
+following of Clark, easily elected him.
+
+Springer boasted in many issues of the Journal of "The victory the
+respectable law-abiding citizens gained over the lawless Klan and its
+sympathizers." He told the people through the columns of the Journal
+that the election had sounded the death knell of the Klan in Wilford
+Springs; that the law-abiding citizens had emphatically protested
+through their votes, and that no self-respecting citizen would think of
+joining this organization after the community had shown its disapproval.
+
+In spite of this propaganda fiery crosses and white robed figures were
+more frequently seen in the vicinity of Wilford Springs than before the
+city election. During the entire summer the frequency of these reports
+increased.
+
+Soon after Clark took the oath of office as mayor he appointed Roberts
+as chief of police. Roberts was inexperienced in politics and knew
+but little of the methods and less of the principles of the men who
+had been elected. Roberts was not a strong character, but, generally
+speaking, he desired to do what was right. No sooner had he become the
+head of the police department than he made his police force a talk and
+told them that he expected the law to be enforced without fear or favor.
+
+Sixty days after he had been acting as chief he was passing the Wilford
+Springs Central State Bank. Stover stepped to the door and asked him to
+come in.
+
+"Come into my private office." The banker led the way.
+
+"Have a seat, Roberts."
+
+"Thank you. This electric fan feels good this kind of a day."
+
+"We're having some very warm weather."
+
+"We can expect it this time of the year. It's a little unpleasant but
+mighty good for the corn."
+
+"Roberts," said the banker, "you have a note here that is thirty days
+past due."
+
+"Yes, I know I have. I have been intending to take care of that out of
+my salary, but one thing after another has happened to prevent my doing
+so. First, one of the children had to have his tonsils removed; then
+my wife was called back to Illinois, on account of the illness of her
+mother."
+
+"Too bad that you have had so much bad luck."
+
+"Can't you renew this note for me?"
+
+"Yes, we can take care of that for you. You will always find the
+Central ready and willing to accommodate its customers. There is
+another little matter I want to talk to you about. The other day
+Hennesy was in here paying his rent and told me that he wouldn't be
+wanting my building after the first of next month. I asked him what
+was wrong, and he said that there is a policeman hanging around there
+a great deal of the time and his niggers, who are employed to put out
+his stuff, are scared and are not doing any business. I wouldn't want
+to lose Hennesy as a tenant. (I couldn't get half the amount of rent
+he pays me for the use of the building for the use of ordinary lines
+of business.) Hennesy can't afford to pay me one hundred seventy-five
+dollars a month for that building to use for a pool hall alone."
+
+Roberts chewed hard and nervously on the end of a cigar. When Stover
+ceased speaking Roberts said, "I didn't know that building belonged to
+you."
+
+"And that isn't all. Hennesy was one of your best supporters. He worked
+faithfully for Clark and recommended you for chief. If I were you I
+would tell my police to lay off of Hennesy's place and of every other
+place where the proprietor is a well established tax-payer and has some
+influence."
+
+"I told the people that if I were appointed chief I would see that the
+laws were enforced."
+
+"That's all right, Roberts; but you can't afford to endanger your
+political future and damage your friends to enforce a law that was
+placed on the statute books through the influence of cranks and some
+old ladies."
+
+"I will tell the boys to stay away from Hennesy's place. I really don't
+know anything against it anyway."
+
+During the entire conversation the lean banker had been rubbing his
+hands nervously together. Now he smiled. Scarcely ever did he laugh.
+"Roberts," he said, speaking in a very confidential tone, "there are
+plenty of law violators who are transients or who have no influence in
+the community whom you can prosecute and make an enforcement record
+for yourself without interfering with the business of your friends and
+supporters."
+
+"I thank you for your suggestions," said Roberts as he rose to go.
+
+"That's all right, Roberts, I am always glad to help my friends. Let
+that note run as long as you like." Stover smiled blandly as the chief
+left the office.
+
+After Roberts left the bank he began at once to put Stover's advice
+into practice. He instructed his policeman on the beat where Mike
+Hennesy operated his pool hall not to see anything when he passed
+there. He also instructed other policemen to pass up other joints and
+bootleggers.
+
+A few days later Roberts received word that a common bootlegger known
+as "Slim" was due to arrive that night with a carload of booze.
+Slim had been a resident of Wilford Springs only a year. He had no
+established place of business. Slim was in disfavor with Mike Hennesy
+and the other joint keepers of the town. He worked independently and
+had refused to contribute anything to the campaign fund, which Hennesy
+had been appointed to raise among the liquor fraternity during the
+campaign. Hennesy furnished Roberts the information and told him to
+"pinch" him.
+
+It was two o'clock in the morning when "Slim" was halted as he was
+entering the city limits. The chief took possession of the car and
+booze and "Slim" was taken to the city jail. The next morning another
+wheel in the machinery turned and the police judge gave "Slim" sixty
+days in jail and a two hundred dollar fine.
+
+The Daily Eagle contained a statement of the facts. The Journal not
+only gave the facts but was loud in its praise of the chief and his
+force.
+
+It was only a short time after "Slim's" arrest and conviction and while
+he was still in durance vile that two policemen surprised a party of
+poker players in a room at The Antler House. The players were prominent
+business men. They were playing for big stakes. It was one-thirty in
+the morning, almost the same hour that "Slim" had been arrested and
+taken to jail. Were these poker players taken to jail? Oh, no, they
+were taken to the city building. The chief was then called. He called
+the police judge, who was accommodating enough to get out of bed to
+accommodate this group of business men. Each man was permitted to enter
+a fictitious name on the record and deposit a cash bond of twenty
+dollars for his appearance. (Of course they forfeited the bonds.) No
+reference was made of this raid by the Journal. The Eagle simply stated
+the facts, without giving names and without any comment.
+
+The day following this event Judge Rider, who was the youngest judge
+of a district court in the state, being only thirty-three years old,
+met Springer on the street. Judge Rider was a clean-cut, straight,
+upstanding man who had a strong sense of justice. He could not resist
+this opportunity of taking Springer to task.
+
+"Hello, Springer."
+
+"Hello, judge."
+
+"Say, Springer, how did you happen to overlook such an important news
+item as the raid of The Antler House?"
+
+"I didn't overlook it, judge. I purposely omitted it."
+
+"Why should such an important bit of news be omitted from the columns
+of the Journal?"
+
+"Judge, it wouldn't do to give that affair publicity. Every one of
+those fellows were prominent business men."
+
+"If a business man violates the law he should pay the penalty the same
+as the friendless outcast. If publicity and the condemnation of the
+public is to be a part of the penalty he should have that, too."
+
+"We didn't write them up because of the feelings of their families."
+
+"You gave a column to 'Slim's' arrest and conviction. I understand that
+'Slim' has a wife and three children. Doubtless the members of 'Slim's'
+family have feelings the same as the members of the families of these
+business men."
+
+"If I had mentioned these men by name and they had objected, I couldn't
+have shown by the court records that they were charged with poker
+playing."
+
+"Springer, you know that it wouldn't be hard to prove their identity.
+The police who made the arrest can give the names of every one of
+them. It was a shame and a disgrace that they were permitted to enter
+fictitious names on the record and forfeit small cash bonds. I tell
+you, Springer, that sort of a farce is making Bolsheviks. 'Slim'
+couldn't be made to believe that the laws are being impartially
+enforced, and they are not. It is just such partiality as this that
+makes the Klan necessary."
+
+"What, you a judge and in favor of that lawless organization?"
+
+"The Klan I am in favor of is not lawless. It is an organization that
+insists on the impartial enforcement of the law. In no instance would
+I be a member of an organization that takes the law into its own
+hands. I can see how an organization of the best citizens, who will
+co-operate with the officers by serving as private detectives and
+turning all information over to the officials, can be of great benefit.
+Furthermore, the Klan I am for is an organization that insists that the
+officers do their duty and supports them in the performance of it; and
+demands that the officer who won't do his duty get out. If we can have
+a Klan like that here, I am for it."
+
+"I must be going, judge," said Springer, and the conversation was
+brought to a close.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VIII
+
+
+The Reverend Earl Benton, pastor of the Methodist Church of Wilford
+Springs, took an active interest in the Klan. He made several speeches
+on Americanism and had publicly stated that he was a member of the Klan.
+
+One day when he had called at the office of Charles Wilson to get an
+insurance policy Patrick McBryan was present.
+
+"Reverend Benton, are you acquainted with Mr. McBryan?" Wilson asked as
+the minister entered.
+
+"Yes, I know Mr. McBryan. How are you?"
+
+"Very well, Reverend. How are you and the Ku Kluxers?" McBryan asked.
+
+"I am all right and the Klan is getting along fine."
+
+"If you have no objections I'd like to ask you a few questions about
+this organization."
+
+"None whatever, unless you want to know who the members are. I don't
+object to telling you that I am a member but farther than that I cannot
+reveal the membership roll."
+
+"I'd like to know if you think that it is American for the Klan to
+fight other churches?"
+
+"The Klan does not fight any church nor does it persecute anyone for
+their religious opinions. Quite the contrary. Members of the Klan are
+obligated to uphold the Constitution of the United States, not part
+of the Constitution, but every article and clause. As you know, one
+of the fundamental principles of Americanism is religious toleration.
+The first amendment to the Constitution provides that Congress shall
+make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting
+the free exercise thereof. The last clause of the sixth article of the
+Constitution provides that no religious test shall ever be required as
+a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
+The members of the Klan are obligated to support the Constitution of
+the United States and believe in the principle of religious toleration.
+If any person or any group should interfere with the Catholics of
+Wilford Springs meeting in their cathedral to worship God as they
+please the Klan would be the first to protest against such action."
+
+"You have stated that the Constitution provides that no religious
+test shall be required for office holding, but the Klan is everywhere
+opposing Catholics who are candidates and doing all it can to keep them
+out of office, and yet you say that the Klan supports the Constitution."
+
+The minister smiled. He was amused at the absurd statement of the Irish
+politician.
+
+"I am afraid," he said, "that you wouldn't have made much of a lawyer.
+The Constitution says that no religious test shall be required for
+office holding. That certainly does not mean that one may not vote
+against a man because of a religious opinion if he so desires. If
+Congress were to pass a law requiring all office holders to be
+Baptists, that would be a religious test for office holding."
+
+Wilson, who was a Baptist, reached over and slapped the minister on the
+leg and laughingly said, "That would be fine."
+
+"Why do you not permit Catholics to join the Klan?"
+
+"I might ask you why the Knights of Columbus do not permit Protestants
+to join that organization."
+
+"If you did, the answer would be easy. I would tell you that the
+Knights of Columbus is a Catholic organization," declared McBryan.
+
+"I can frankly say that the Ku Klux Klan is a Protestant
+organization--but to give you a little more definite information,
+I will inform you that in order to become a member of the Klan the
+applicant must be able to declare allegiance to the United States,
+which many good Catholics can do, and disown any allegiance to any
+foreign government, prince or potentate, civil or ecclesiastical, which
+no Catholic can do."
+
+"Do you mean to say that Catholics are not patriotic?" shouted McBryan,
+springing to his feet.
+
+"Sit down, Mac, and take it easy," said Wilson. "You remember you are
+just having a friendly discussion, and the preacher is only answering
+your questions." McBryan resumed his seat.
+
+Reverend Benton continued to speak with the greatest self-control. "I
+do not say anything of the kind. Many of them have demonstrated that
+they are patriotic and good citizens, but the fact remains that as
+Roman Catholics they owe allegiance to the Pope of Rome. Isn't that
+true?"
+
+"Yes, he is the head of the Roman Catholic Church."
+
+"Do you not believe that it would be better to have your church
+organization complete in this country and have no foreign allegiance?"
+
+"I would think so if the pope were an ordinary man."
+
+"Mr. McBryan, will you please explain to me in what sense the pope is
+not an ordinary man?"
+
+"The pope is the vicar of Christ, and as such is infallible."
+
+"How did the pope get to be vicar of Christ?"
+
+"He is the lawful successor of St. Peter."
+
+"I deny that St. Peter was a pope. He never claimed to have any
+authority of an ecclesiastical nature not possessed by the other
+apostles. The other apostles did not recognize any such authority
+vested in him. Paul, in referring to a disagreement with him, said, 'I
+withstood him to his face.' If there were any power vested in him that
+was not shared by the other apostles the Bible makes no provision for a
+successor."
+
+"That's the way you Protestants interpret the Bible, but you are
+fallible and we have an infallible interpreter."
+
+"If we were to grant for the sake of argument that the pope is the
+successor of Peter, what makes him infallible?"
+
+"Why, I suppose that God makes him infallible just as he made St. Peter
+infallible."
+
+"Cardinal Gibbons says that the pope, as successor of St. Peter, by
+virtue of the promises of Jesus Christ, is preserved from error of
+judgment when he renders decisions on faith and morals," the minister
+quoted.
+
+"Isn't the cardinal right?"
+
+"On page 117 of 'The Faith of Our Fathers,' Cardinal Gibbons says, 'The
+infallibility of the popes does not signify that they are inspired. The
+apostles were endowed with the gift of inspiration, and we accept their
+writings as the revered Word of God. No Catholic, on the contrary,
+claims that the pope is inspired or endowed with Divine revelation
+properly so called.' Now if they are not inspired I would like to know
+just how they are infallible in judgment. The experience of humanity
+goes to show that the human mind is fallible and prone to error and
+that the election to an office, be it political or ecclesiastical, does
+not change the nature of his judgments."
+
+"I can't explain it but I believe it." McBryan spoke with positiveness.
+
+"All Roman Catholics believe that the pope is infallible, don't they,
+McBryan?" asked Wilson.
+
+"Sure they do. They wouldn't be Catholics unless they did."
+
+"For my part," said the minister, "I do not see how any fair-minded
+man can have any faith in the infallibility of the pope or think that
+he is the lawful successor of Peter when he considers the history of
+the popes, especially when he considers their morals and decisions. I
+never could understand how men could believe this doctrine when one
+infallible pope reverses the decision of a predecessor who was also
+infallible."
+
+"You spoke of their morals. What did you mean by that?" Wilson asked.
+
+"I meant that when we consider the immoral acts of some of these
+men who claimed to be the vicar of Christ, that is, His personal
+representative on earth, any man whose mind was not stultified by
+prejudice and superstition would rebel against the doctrine of the
+pope's being the vicar of Christ."
+
+"Just what immorality do you refer to?" McBryan asked.
+
+"Constantine (also known as St. Paul I) was one of the popes.
+Stephen IV was elected to supplant him. Stephen put out the eyes
+of Constantine. This pope also amputated the tongue of the Bishop
+Theodorus. Formosus, who had been excommunicated as a conspirator
+for the murder of Pope John, was elected pope in 891. Stephen VII
+had the dead body of Formosus taken from the grave, clothed in papal
+habiliments, propped up in a chair and tried before a council. The
+corpse was found guilty, three fingers were cut off and the body cast
+into the Tiber. In----"
+
+McBryan jumped to his feet, his face livid with anger. "Them's lies,"
+he shouted, "damnable Protestant lies."
+
+"Sit down, McBryan, and keep still until the Reverend is through and
+then you can have your say. One speaker at a time, you know, and
+Reverend Benton has the floor." Wilson rapped on the table and spoke
+with the authoritative voice of a judge.
+
+"Very well, go on," said McBryan as he took his seat.
+
+The minister, unperturbed, continued: "In less than two months after
+Leo V became pope he was cast into prison by Christopher, one of his
+chaplains. This Christopher usurped his place and was afterwards
+expelled from Rome by Sergius III, who became pope. This pope lived in
+criminal intercourse with the celebrated Theodora. The love of Theodora
+was shared by John X. Through her influence John X was made archbishop
+and later pope.
+
+"John XII was only nineteen years of age when he became pope. His reign
+was characterized by the most shocking immoralities. He was given to
+drunkenness and gambling; he put out the eyes of one ecclesiastic and
+maimed another. He was charged with incest and many adulteries. He was
+at last deposed, and Leo VII was elected in his stead. Subsequently
+John XII got the upper hand and maimed and mutilated his antagonists.
+His life was finally brought to an end by a man whose wife he had
+seduced. Boniface VII imprisoned Benedict VII and starved him to death.
+
+"Benedict IX, a boy of less than twelve years, was raised to the
+apostolic throne. One of his successors, Victor III, declared that
+the life of Benedict was so shameful, so foul, so execrable, that
+he shuddered to describe it. The people, unable longer to bear his
+adulteries, homicides and abominations, rose against him, and in
+despair of maintaining his position, he put up the papacy at auction
+and it was bought by a presbyter named John, who became Gregory the VI.
+These are but a part of the crimes and irregularities of which some of
+the popes were guilty."
+
+"I don't believe all that. I never heard of it before. Where's your
+proof?" demanded McBryan.
+
+"My dear sir, these things are a matter of history. Everything I have
+said of these popes and much more is recorded in Draper's 'History of
+the Intellectual Development of Europe' and can be substantiated by
+other historians."
+
+"Aren't there a lot of Protestant ministers who are guilty of
+immorality?" McBryan asked.
+
+"There are some Protestant ministers who are guilty of immorality, but
+when it is discovered that a Protestant minister has gone wrong he
+is expelled from the ministry. A big difference between the relation
+of a Protestant minister and his congregation and the pope and the
+Catholic church is that Protestants do not hold their ministers or any
+ecclesiastic to be infallible, while the Catholics do hold the pope to
+be infallible. I do not doubt that many of the popes were good men,
+and I do not claim that because some of them were bad that all of them
+are to be condemned, but the point I am making is that one must be
+very credulous to believe that Christ would recognize as His direct
+representatives men who had committed such gross immoralities and
+outraged every human right--men who were among the greatest reprobates
+and degenerates the world has ever produced. I cannot understand how
+men who are not controlled by superstitious fear can believe that these
+men were the successors of St. Peter and that through them Christ
+passed down the office of pontiff, including all of the prerogatives of
+his vicarage, to the present incumbent."
+
+"I believe He did," said McBryan.
+
+"I suppose you believe that Christ authorized the sale of the papacy at
+auction by Benedict IX. Well, I don't believe it."
+
+"It don't make any difference to Catholics what damn Protestants think
+of their pope."
+
+"Mr. McBryan, I have no objections to your believing in the
+infallibility of the popes if you want to. The Klan does not object
+to any religious belief. It stands for the worship of God according
+to the dictates of conscience, and will protect Catholics as well as
+Protestants in such worship. What the Klan does oppose, and what every
+American should oppose, is the exercise of civil power by the Church.
+Whenever any church, Catholic or Protestant, attempts to gain control
+of the affairs of state they will find solid opposition from the Klan.
+One of the principles of this organization is the separation of church
+and state."
+
+"I would oppose even the Baptist church's doing that," said Wilson.
+
+"Catholics don't believe in the church controlling the state," said
+McBryan.
+
+"I hope not, but the history of the Catholic church is largely the
+history of a church directly controlling, or dominating, civil powers;
+and when such powers have been wrested from it, struggling to regain
+them.
+
+"The time was when the Catholic church controlled the political
+affairs of all Europe. In 754 Pippin, king of the Franks, recognized
+the temporal authority of the pope. In 774 Charlemagne confirmed this
+power and enlarged the dominion of the pope. For many years contentions
+between the church and the rulers of Europe were common. France, under
+Philip the Fair, was the first power to successfully resist papal
+authority. The rise of Protestantism under Luther caused the pope to
+lose fully one-half of Europe. This power was never regained. After the
+treaty of Westphalia in 1648 conditions were brought about that made a
+rapid decline of the pope's temporal power.
+
+"Napoleon III was forced to withdraw the French troops from Italy
+during the Franco-German war, Victor Emmanuel took advantage of
+this circumstance and on September 20, 1870, entered Rome and took
+possession of the palace. The pope was stripped of all direct temporal
+power. His influence in church matters was in no wise interfered with.
+Since then he has exercised much indirect political power."
+
+"I am not in favor of the pope's exercising temporal power, and
+Catholics as a whole are not in favor of it. You see we only believe in
+the infallibility of the pope in religious matters," said McBryan.
+
+"Well, if it is true that the Roman Catholics are not in favor of the
+pope's exercising temporal power certainly they should not object to
+the Klan's insisting on the continued separation of church and state.
+And while there may be some Catholics like yourself who would oppose
+the re-establishment of the direct temporal control of the pope, there
+are many who would welcome it and assist in bringing it about."
+
+"You are mistaken. You see that we don't believe in the pope's
+infallibility in political affairs."
+
+"While it is true that your church teaches that the pope is infallible
+only in spiritual matters, yet Catholics believe in his right and
+ability to rule in temporal affairs."
+
+"How do you know they do?"
+
+"Cardinal Manning, in his debate with Robert Ingersoll, declared,
+'The greatest statesmen and rulers that the world has ever seen are
+the popes of Rome.' Cardinal Gibbons, in his book, 'The Faith of Our
+Fathers,' in the chapter headed 'Temporal Power of the Popes,' says:
+
+"'The Papacy,' they say, 'is gone. Its glory vanished. Its sun is set.
+It is sunk below the horizon never to rise again.' Illboding prophet,
+will you never profit by the lessons of history? Have not numbers of
+popes before Pius IX been forcibly ejected from their See, and have
+they not been reinstated in their temporal authority? What has happened
+so often before may and will happen again.
+
+"For our part we have every confidence that ere long the clouds
+which now overshadow the civil throne of the pope will be removed by
+the breath of a righteous God, and that his temporal power will be
+re-established on a more permanent basis than ever."
+
+"Well, I guess everybody has a right to his own opinion," said McBryan.
+
+"Yes, freedom of speech and freedom of the press is another of the Klan
+principles," replied Reverend Benton, as he rose from his chair. "If
+you will give me my insurance policy, Mr. Wilson, I will go."
+
+"The premium is nine dollars and forty cents," Wilson stated, as he
+handed the policy to the minister.
+
+"Will it be all right to let that go until the first of the month? I am
+short of funds now."
+
+"Yes, that's all right, but I didn't know that preachers ever got
+short," remarked the real estate and insurance agent, laughing.
+
+When Reverend Benton had gone out Wilson turned to McBryan. "I will
+appreciate it if you will give Harold King a chance at the city
+building, he is a fine fellow."
+
+"He has already spoken to us, and we have asked him to submit a
+perspective drawing. There are several other applicants."
+
+"He's a fine young fellow and a home man, and I'd like very much to see
+him get it."
+
+"He'll be given careful consideration," McBryan replied. "Other things
+being equal, I would prefer to hire a home man."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IX
+
+
+The door between Ruth's office and the president's office was slightly
+ajar. She could hear the suppressed voices of Stover and another man.
+She caught a sentence that caused her to leave her desk and tiptoe to
+the door. She stood with her ear near the opening.
+
+Ruth had a high sense of honor. She would have been the last one
+to eavesdrop through idle curiosity. The sentence which she caught
+convinced her the conversation taking place on the other side of the
+door concerned her indirectly, if not directly, and she felt warranted
+in listening.
+
+She listened with bated breath while the color left her cheeks. She
+opened and shut her hands nervously.
+
+When the conversation ceased and Stover's caller left she sat down
+to her desk and wrote a note. She looked at her watch; it was almost
+quitting time. She stepped to the president's office. "Is there
+anything more tonight?"
+
+"No, Ruth, nothing more tonight. You may go if you wish to."
+
+She went back into her room, tore up the lengthy note that she had
+written and wrote a very brief one. After she had placed this in an
+envelope and addressed it, she put on her hat and went out on the
+street.
+
+She had walked but a short way from the bank when she met a small boy.
+"Say, boy, will you deliver this note for me?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am."
+
+She gave him a dime and he hurried away on his errand.
+
+Harold King had seen but little of Ruth in the last two weeks. He had
+been busy getting up a perspective and plans to submit to the mayor and
+commissioners. He had seen Ruth a couple of times lately in ice cream
+parlors with Golter. That afternoon Harold had submitted his drawing
+and plans. Now that he had submitted them he wondered if anything would
+come of it. The architect's fee would be fifteen thousand dollars for
+this city job. If he could just land that his financial embarrassment
+would be relieved and he would be sufficiently advertised to get other
+good jobs. He had been three years in Wilford Springs, and had barely
+made a living. There had been many expensive buildings erected since
+he came, but out-of-town architects had been employed. Sometimes he
+had been discouraged and felt a desire to seek a new location, but his
+friend, Charles Wilson, would always tell him at such times: "Stay with
+it and things will come your way; just keep a stiff upper lip. When you
+get a job, no matter how little it is, do your best and some day the
+big jobs will be running after you." Harold was inclined to question
+this philosophy, but nevertheless it encouraged him somewhat.
+
+Ruth Babcock had had a large place in his thoughts since he had met her
+two years before. He admired her and was sure if he would allow himself
+to he would love her--but what right did he have to allow himself to
+fall in love with a girl when he couldn't properly provide for his own
+needs!
+
+He had felt bitter pangs of jealousy when he had seen Ruth with Golter.
+He didn't blame her for accepting the attentions of someone who had an
+income sufficient to take her out in public and properly entertain her,
+one who had a right to entertain thoughts of love and matrimony--but he
+didn't like this man Golter and wished that she would not keep company
+with him. Golter was a snob and in no sense a man that appealed to men,
+but deep down in his heart Harold knew that he would be unhappy to see
+Ruth escorted by any man. If he wasn't so poverty stricken he wouldn't
+stand back for anyone. His best suit was hardly decent to appear in
+at social affairs. He would not, in his present condition, embarrass
+Ruth by asking her to accompany him any place, but maybe fortune would
+soon smile on him. If he landed the city job and the fifteen thousand
+dollars, things would be different. His reverie was interrupted by a
+small boy who entered the office and asked, "This Mr. King?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Here's a letter for you. A young lady sent it to you."
+
+"Was she good looking?" asked Harold, smiling.
+
+"You bet yer life. She's a peach."
+
+"Well, I'm interested. What do I owe you?"
+
+"How'd a dime be?"
+
+"All right." Harold tossed him the coin.
+
+As he was going out the door he stopped and looked back. "Say, mister,
+the girl had done give me one dime, but I thought you'd want to go
+fifty-fifty with her." He hurried down the stairway without waiting for
+a reply.
+
+As Harold tore the letter open he thought, "That boy may land in the
+penitentiary, but his chances to escape the poor house are good.
+However, I am inclined to believe I would be willing to go fifty-fifty
+with Ruth in a life partnership, but the one great obstacle is I can't
+furnish my fifty."
+
+The letter was brief but interesting:
+
+ Dear Mr. King:
+
+ I would like to have a talk with you. If it will not greatly
+ inconvenience you I would be pleased to have you call at my home this
+ evening.
+
+ Yours truly,
+ Ruth Babcock.
+
+"There is nothing to do but to go, if I do have to wear the old suit,"
+he thought. He tried to conjecture what it could be that she wanted to
+talk to him about. Maybe she had some suggestion to help him secure
+the city job. Her employer, Jim Stover, was regarded as the political
+boss of the town and whatever he said went with the city officials.
+He was quite sure Ruth was going to make a suggestion to help him to
+secure Stover's assistance. Wilson had already talked with Stover in
+his interest but had not secured a definite answer.
+
+That evening Harold got out his best suit and brushed it thoroughly. It
+was badly worn. When he had dressed he viewed himself in the mirror.
+"Harold, old boy," he said to himself, "there is no mistaking the fact
+you are run-down, you look seedy. You need a new casing but will have
+to make out with the old one for awhile."
+
+As Harold walked down the street to the car line he met Golter. Harold
+noticed his well groomed appearance. When they spoke, the supercilious
+smirk on Golter's face nettled Harold.
+
+"Come in, Mr. King. Let me have your hat. Ruth ran over to a
+neighbor's. She said if you called before she returned to tell you that
+she would be back in a few minutes."
+
+"How are you, Mr. Babcock? I believe you are looking better."
+
+"If I could only get over having this pain in my head. Sometimes I do
+not have it for two or three days and then it will come back and I
+suffer terribly. I worry lots, Mr. King, because I can't remember my
+business affairs before I was hurt."
+
+"It may come to you some time."
+
+"I hope so. Not long ago in my dream I remembered the rest of the safe
+combination."
+
+"Are you sure that was really your safe combination?"
+
+"Yes, positive of it. I had remembered all but the last number before
+the dream."
+
+"Did you remember anything else besides the combination?"
+
+"Yes, I dreamed that I showed the combination to a man in whom I had
+confidence and that he stole the money."
+
+"Whose money was in the safe, Mr. Babcock?"
+
+"My money."
+
+"Are you sure you had money?"
+
+"Yes, I have always remembered that."
+
+"You say you dreamed that you showed the combination to a man in whom
+you had confidence?"
+
+"Yes, I trusted him. The dream was very real."
+
+"Can you remember anything about this man's appearance or what his
+business was or his connection with you?"
+
+"No, I have been trying for days to remember who he was but have not
+been able to."
+
+At this juncture Ruth came in and the subject was dropped. Soon after,
+the door opened and Clara Babcock started to enter, but seeing there
+was company present, hesitated.
+
+"Come on in, Aunt Clara," said Ruth.
+
+The four visited together for a time. When Ruth's father and aunt had
+left the room Ruth asked, "Were you surprised to get my note?"
+
+"Yes, I was somewhat surprised," he replied.
+
+"I first wrote you what I wanted to tell you but afterwards decided
+that I could tell you better; so I tore up the letter I had written you
+and wrote the note asking you to come."
+
+"I was pleased to come, and if I can be of any service to you I will
+only be too glad to help you."
+
+"Harold," she spoke in a low, soft voice, "I did not ask you to come
+here because I needed your help."
+
+He felt a little twinge of disappointment. He would like to have her
+look to him for help and be able to help her. The only time he had
+attempted to help her he had failed.
+
+"I asked you to come because I wanted to help you."
+
+His pride was hurt. He thought she was beginning to pity him. Pity is
+not relished by a strong, self-respecting man. He became conscious of
+his run-down condition. He would not have been much surprised if she
+had offered to loan him money to buy a new suit of clothes. He wished
+he was away.
+
+"You know," she continued, "I think that friends should always guard
+the interests of each other and, Harold, if I should need advice or
+assistance I do not know of anyone, outside of my father, whom I would
+rather trust than you." He felt better.
+
+"I hope I may always be worthy of your confidence," he said.
+
+"What I have to say concerns you directly, and it concerns me because
+you are my friend. I know that I can trust you not to tell the source
+of your information."
+
+"Certainly you can."
+
+"This afternoon I was seated in my office with the door slightly ajar.
+There was someone in the president's office talking with Mr. Stover.
+I am not sure who the man was, but from the quality of his voice I
+believe it was McBryan. I heard this man say 'Harold King is one of
+them.' I moved close to the door that I might hear better. Mr. Stover
+asked, 'Are you sure of that?'"
+
+"What did he say?"
+
+"He said, 'Yes, I am positive. We have a man who is a member of the
+Klan, who gave us this information.'"
+
+"Did he say who it was?"
+
+"No, the man to whom Stover talked----"
+
+"I'm sure that it was McBryan," said Harold, interrupting her.
+
+"This man said, 'we'll fix this young upstart.'" Harold clenched his
+teeth and hands. He felt the muscles of his arms tighten. "Mr. Stover
+said, 'let's give him one chance.' 'What do you propose?' the other
+asked. I could not hear what Mr. Stover said as he dropped his voice to
+a whisper."
+
+"What else did they say?"
+
+"That was all I heard except the man said, 'I'll keep you informed.'"
+
+"You are sure he said that he got his information from a member of the
+Klan?"
+
+"Yes, positive."
+
+"So they are going to fix the 'young upstart,' are they?"
+
+"Mr. Stover did not say that; it was the other man who said it. Mr.
+Stover said, 'Let's give him another chance.'"
+
+"I thank you, Ruth, for this information."
+
+"Harold," she said, laying her hand gently on his arm, "I hope you can
+prove that you are not a member of this organization."
+
+"Didn't you say the principles were all right?"
+
+"Yes, but so many claim that a lawless element belongs."
+
+"Ruth, you know that hatred and prejudice will cause people to make
+bitter accusations which they cannot prove and which have no basis in
+fact. Enrolled as members of the Klan are ministers, lawyers, judges,
+congressmen, governors. Do you believe that officers who have taken
+an oath to support the government and enforce its laws and who have
+always been law-abiding citizens would become and remain members of an
+outlaw organization? I tell you, Ruth, the Klan is composed of many of
+the best citizens and its purpose is to uphold and enforce law--not to
+violate it."
+
+"I suppose that is true, but somehow I can't help but hope you do not
+belong and that if necessary you can prove that you do not. I hardly
+know, after what you have told me about the Klan, why I should feel
+this way unless it is because I am your friend and interested in you
+and do not want you to do anything that will injure your chances for
+success in the business world or subject you to worry and persecution."
+
+"I appreciate your consideration for me, but, Ruth, if the issues
+are as vital as I believe they are and the United States needs an
+organization of this character to protect our American institutions and
+our Christian civilization would you want me to refuse my support for
+fear of personal consequences?" As he asked this question, his gray
+eyes looked straight into her brown ones.
+
+"Excuse me a moment," she said and left the room. She soon returned
+with two portraits. "This," she said, handing him one of the pictures,
+"is a portrait of Colonel Jameson, a Virginian, who was an officer in
+the Confederate army, and a member of the old Ku Klux Klan. He was my
+mother's father; and this is a picture of Major Babcock of General
+Sherman's staff, who was my father's father. Both of these men fought
+at the risk of their lives and at the sacrifice of personal interests
+for principles they believed to be right. On both sides of the house
+ancestors fought in the wars of 1812 and the Revolution. My family had
+a part in making this nation. Not only did the men of the Jameson and
+Babcock families fight, but the women folk sent them forth to battle
+in the spirit of love and sacrifice. The blood of these ancestors
+are in my veins. If the institutions and laws of our country and the
+sacred principles of Americanism are imperiled I ask you to do your
+duty courageously as becomes the man that I know you are." They were
+standing now, and as she made this speech he met her steady gaze
+unflinchingly. He slipped his arm about her and for a moment neither
+spoke. There are moments when speech is inadequate.
+
+The following morning at the breakfast table in the Babcock home Mr.
+Babcock remarked, "You know that the more I see of that Mr. King the
+more favorably I am impressed with him. He strikes me as a man who has
+good stuff in him."
+
+"Looks to me like he's kind of run-down at the heel--as mother used to
+say," said Aunt Clara. "He sure isn't prosperous looking like that Mr.
+Golter. In this day and age it's mighty essential that a man have money
+or a good income when he gets married or his wife can't have a place of
+any consequence in society."
+
+Ruth blushed but made no reply. Her father noticed her embarrassment
+and said, "Ruth, money has its place in life, but character is the big
+thing."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter X
+
+
+"Come right in, Harold. Glad to see you." Judge Rider greeted his
+friend warmly.
+
+"Judge, I ran up to talk to you a few minutes, if you are not busy."
+
+"Sit down, Harold. I am not too busy to talk with you. Anything of
+importance?"
+
+"Yes, Judge, there is. Something very important. There's a leak.
+Somebody is giving out inside Klan information."
+
+"Is that so? What has been given out?"
+
+"Someone told Stover that I am a member and that they would fix me.
+Stover suggested that I be given one chance. I don't know what that
+chance is to be nor how Stover's informant meant to fix me."
+
+"Do you know who Stover's informant was?" Judge Rider asked.
+
+"Not positively. I am of the opinion that it was McBryan."
+
+"How did you get your information?"
+
+"I am not at liberty to tell you that, Judge. It would be betraying a
+confidence."
+
+"By all means don't tell it, then, but are you sure that it is correct?"
+
+"Yes, there is no question about the truthfulness of the report."
+
+"You say that this man whom you think is McBryan said that they would
+fix you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He was going to get you because you are a Klansman?"
+
+"He told Stover that I was a Klansman and that they would fix me, and
+naturally the inference is that being a Klansman is the reason for the
+desire to fix me."
+
+"Was that all that was said?"
+
+"Stover's informant said that he was sure of his information as they
+have a man on the inside!"
+
+"What! A man on the inside!" The judge sprang to his feet.
+
+"Yes, and when he parted from Stover he said, 'I will keep you
+informed.'"
+
+"We must look after this at once. It is serious. Just keep it as quiet
+as possible and we will undertake an investigation. As this is the
+first leak we have heard of, it is quite likely that the traitor is
+someone who has recently been taken in."
+
+It was the middle of the afternoon of the same day that this
+conversation took place that Harold received a 'phone call from the
+Wilford Central State Bank requesting him to call there for a few
+minutes. When he arrived he was told by the teller that the president
+wished to see him in the office. When he entered Stover shook hands
+with him and asked him to be seated. The door was open into Ruth's
+office and she had seen Harold enter. Stover stepped to this door and
+closed it. Ruth was writing on the typewriter.
+
+"Mr. King," said the banker, "I had the teller 'phone you to come down
+because I wished to have a little private conversation with you. You
+know, Mr. King, I have been keeping my eye on you since you designed
+Simpson's cottage. That is an artistic and well arranged home. I said
+when I looked through that house that you had ability. I have been
+expecting ever since to see some big building constructed that you
+had designed, but I have been disappointed. Of course I recognize
+that a man in your profession needs more than ability--he needs some
+influential friends."
+
+"One must have the ability if he makes good, but I realize the value of
+influential friends," Harold remarked.
+
+"Yes, you must have them if you get on in this world, especially if you
+are short on capital. I think that you realize, Mr. King, that I have
+influence with the city administration."
+
+"I am sure that you have."
+
+"Yes, what I say usually goes. Now, Mr. King, I would like to see
+you get the contract to do the architectural work for the new city
+building."
+
+Ruth, writing on the typewriter in the other room, heard the sound
+of the men's voices. She was anxious for Harold. She wondered if Mr.
+Stover was going to give him the chance today. If so, she hoped the
+terms would be such that he would accept. She did not want to hear, and
+pounded unusually hard on the typewriter.
+
+"I thank you, Mr. Stover. To be sure I want the job."
+
+"I have already talked to the mayor and commissioners in your interest."
+
+"I certainly appreciate it."
+
+"I thought you would. If there is anything that gives me pleasure it
+is to help a young man get a start. I'm a self-made man, Mr. King. I
+started to work in a bank at thirty-five dollars a month. It took me
+a long time to get a start. If I had had a few influential friends to
+back me I might have established myself ten years sooner than I did.
+Whenever I think of those long years of hard struggle I make a new
+resolution to help some young fellow to get a start. Harold, I have
+helped lots of them along the road to success. What I am going to say
+to you is in the spirit of a father to a son." (He placed his hand on
+Harold's shoulder and smiled on him affectionately.) "I want to give
+you a little advice."
+
+"I am willing to hear it."
+
+"The city officials like your perspective drawing, but they say that
+you have had very little practical experience."
+
+"I have not had a great deal of experience since I opened an office of
+my own, but before coming here I was employed in an architect's office
+and worked on drawings for expensive buildings. I drew up most of the
+plans and specifications for one building that cost a million dollars."
+
+"Understand, I am not doubting your ability, but the mayor and
+commissioners must be convinced or influenced. I am quite sure I can
+overcome this objection without any trouble, but there is a more
+serious matter."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"They know that you are a Ku Kluxer." The banker had partially turned
+his face from Harold as he made this statement but gave him a side
+glance for the purpose of noting the effect and was disappointed that
+Harold did not appear surprised or alarmed.
+
+"How do they know that?" he asked with apparent unconcern.
+
+"It doesn't make any difference how they found out. The fact is they
+know it."
+
+"If it be true, what has that to do with this architectural work?"
+
+"It may not have anything to do with doing the work, but it has a lot
+to do with getting the job. You see they don't want to give this fine
+job to a man who is identified with an organization that is so highly
+objectionable."
+
+"You are personally opposed to the Klan?"
+
+"Yes, very much. You see, I am going to advise you the same as I would
+if you were my son."
+
+"What are your objections to the Klan?"
+
+"They are many; but one of the principal ones is that they hide
+behind masks. If they want an organization let them take off those
+masks and come out in the open. It's cowardly for men to hide behind
+masks, besides there are too many of them who take advantage of their
+concealed identity to get out and whip somebody."
+
+"You are mistaken, Mr. Stover, the members of the Klan are not
+permitted to wear their masks except in the lodge or Klan meetings for
+the purpose of doing guard duty or putting on ritualistic work, when
+doing deeds of charity or in peaceful parades."
+
+"Well, if they want to put themselves right before the public let them
+publish a list of their members."
+
+"That would destroy the value of the organization as a law enforcement
+body. How would it do, Mr. Stover, for the secret service men of the
+government to publish their names when they come into a community and
+let everyone know just who they are?"
+
+"We don't need the Klan to enforce the laws. We have officers for that
+purpose. The Klan has no right to take the law into its own hands."
+
+"The Klan does not take the law into its own hands. The Klan assists
+the officers in enforcing the law by furnishing evidence. If the
+officers refuse to act it is the purpose of the Klan to have them
+recalled or voted out at the election and others put in who will act.
+It is the duty of all good citizens to help enforce the laws."
+
+"Our officers enforce the laws--we don't need the Klan."
+
+"Our officers enforce the laws in Wilford Springs against the
+uninfluential violator, but fellows like Hennesy are permitted to
+operate."
+
+"Well, young man, you had better not line up with a bunch who are in
+disfavor with the public. The last election showed what the people of
+Wilford Springs thinks of your Klan organization. Now to get down to
+business. It's of a great deal of importance to you that you get this
+city building job. If you will follow my suggestions I will get it for
+you. You know that, don't you?" Ruth had finished her typewriting and
+the men were speaking so loudly that she could not help but hear now.
+
+"I have every reason to believe that you can."
+
+"Very well." The banker began to rub his hands together. "What I have
+to propose is this, you withdraw from the Klan and make a public
+statement that you have done so because it is a lawless organization,
+and I will see that you get the city job."
+
+"Would you have me make this statement in spite of the fact that all I
+personally know of the Klan is to the contrary?"
+
+"Well, you have read of enough outrages being committed by the Klan
+other places that you could conscientiously make that statement
+even though you do not have personal knowledge of law violations by
+Klansmen."
+
+A fifteen thousand dollar job was at stake. He wanted it as he had
+never desired anything before, but his virtue never wavered. In a flash
+he remembered the parting admonition of his mountain mother when he
+left the mountain home to make a place for himself in the world. She
+had said, "Son, when you are sorely tempted to do wrong say, like your
+Master, 'Get thee behind me Satan.'" He also remembered his obligation
+as a Klansman.
+
+He sprang to his feet and towered like a Hercules over Stover who
+sat at the table rubbing his hands nervously. "Stover," he said, "if
+you think for a minute that you can bribe me with a fifteen thousand
+dollar job to betray the best interests of my country and community
+and violate my sacred obligation as a Klansman you have another think
+coming. I tell you and you can repeat it to your henchmen that you can
+take the job with which you have attempted to bribe me and go straight
+to hell with it." King turned on his heels and left the room. When he
+had finished this speech Ruth clasped her hands together in joyful
+admiration and exclaimed, "Good, good!"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XI
+
+
+Ruth was proud that her friend, Harold King, had courageously turned
+his back on the proposition that would have meant the prostitution of
+his manhood. She was not altogether happy--it is always a great shock
+to discover a lack of principle in one in whom you have had great
+confidence. Ruth had regarded Stover not only as a friend but as a man
+of exceptional honor. To say that the discovery that he would try to
+bribe a man to do a dishonorable thing shocked her, is to put it mildly.
+
+When she next saw Harold she said, "I tried not to hear your
+conversation with Mr. Stover, but you both got to talking so loudly
+that I could not help it. Harold, I am certainly proud of you."
+
+"I would have liked to have had the job but not at the price they
+asked. I will get along some way. If I can't make a living as an
+architect I can go to work on the railroad section."
+
+"I have faith that you will succeed as an architect, but I would much
+prefer to have a friend of mine an honorable section hand than a
+dishonorable architect, no matter how successful he might be in his
+profession."
+
+"Ruth," he said, "it is good to have a friend like you. You are
+different from so many girls who think so much of display and veneer.
+You think more of the things that are really worth while."
+
+"I feel that I do not deserve all that, Harold. My father deserves a
+great deal of credit for whatever views of life I have that enable
+me to appraise people by a better standard than bank accounts,
+automobiles, clothes, painted faces, and dance steps. He has always
+laid great stress on the value of character. Often I have heard him
+say, 'The real gold of life is not to be found in mines or at the end
+of the rainbow but in hearts that are true to friends and loyal to the
+best interests of life.'"
+
+"That is certainly a noble sentiment. How is your father?"
+
+"I don't see much change in him. He worries so much because he can't
+remember the man who stole his money. Ever since he had that dream he
+really believes that some man in whom he had confidence and to whom he
+had shown the combination of the safe really robbed him. (Of course it
+is only a delusion.) His bank stock, the only property he had except
+the home, was turned over to satisfy his debts."
+
+"Ruth, in whom did your father have a great deal of confidence?"
+
+"Do you mean in a business way? Well, there were a number of men in
+Zala for whose honesty and ability he had great respect. Of the men out
+of town with whom he had business relations, I believe he trusted Mr.
+Stover more than any other."
+
+"Ruth, who was the cashier of the bank in which your father was
+president?"
+
+"His name is Dick Watson."
+
+"Where is he now?"
+
+"I don't know. He left Wilford Springs when Mr. Stover bought my
+father's interest, and I have not heard of him since."
+
+"Do you suppose that it is possible that Watson defrauded your father?"
+
+"No, my father's account at the bank tallied with his personal pass
+book. His bank stock was sold to Mr. Stover, as you know."
+
+"What did Watson do with his stock?"
+
+"He owned only a small amount of stock, and it also was purchased by
+Mr. Stover."
+
+"What kind of a looking fellow is this man, Watson?"
+
+"He is fairly good looking."
+
+Harold laughed. "When you ask a girl about a man's looks she answers:
+'Handsome, good looking, fairly good looking, homely, ugly or ugly as a
+mud fence.'"
+
+"That's because we think so much of looks, I presume," she said,
+laughing, "or it may be because we are so limited in descriptive
+powers, but since you do not like my general statement I will try to
+be a little more specific. He is about five feet nine or ten inches
+in height, has light brown hair and dark blue eyes, his nose is rather
+prominent, when he smiles he displays a row of exceedingly white, even
+teeth. Is that sufficient?"
+
+"Very good. I believe you will be able to develop your descriptive
+powers."
+
+"Why should I?"
+
+"Well you may want to write novels some day."
+
+"If I do I will have you for one of the characters. You will be my
+hero."
+
+"I see that you will not succeed as a novelist."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"You have already shown sufficiently poor judgment in selecting a
+character to condemn you as a novelist; however, you might succeed
+as descriptive writer. I will test you a little farther. Did the man
+Watson have any peculiarities?"
+
+"Nothing that I remember, except he lisped slightly."
+
+"Speaking of descriptions," he remarked, "there is a scene that I would
+like to have descriptive power to describe."
+
+They were walking through the City's Natural Park and had come suddenly
+upon a little lake surrounded by wooded hills. It was the first of
+October, and nature's artist had tinted the foliage a rich golden hue.
+Two couples in row boats were rowing along the shaded side of the lake
+while shimmering light was reflected from the opposite side. The
+deep green of the grass which bordered the lake, the gold of the tree
+foliage, the blue of the sky above and the passing clouds mirrored in
+the water blended in a harmonious picture that no lover of beauty could
+fail to admire.
+
+"Isn't it beautiful!" Ruth exclaimed.
+
+"Yes, as Riley says, 'A picture that no painter has the colorin' to
+mock.'"
+
+They walked on down a winding road, through the woods and around the
+hills. Ruth began humming, "There's a long, long trail a winding into
+the land of my dreams."
+
+"That song has a lot of truth in it," he remarked. "The road is often a
+long one, and the night seems so long while waiting."
+
+"Yes, but the song also expresses the pleasure that many enjoy while
+pursuing the dreams and traveling with 'you.' It depends a lot on who
+the 'you' is."
+
+It was a pleasant October afternoon and there were many people riding
+and strolling through the park. Harold was thankful that it was cool
+enough for him to wear his light overcoat.
+
+A car honked behind them and they stepped out of the road. Golter drove
+past. He lifted his hat and spoke very distantly. Ruth had declined an
+invitation to go riding with him that afternoon.
+
+"Your special friend," Harold remarked.
+
+"Don't put too much emphasis on the special if you would be exact in
+your expression," she replied.
+
+As they were leaving the park they met two young ladies.
+
+"Why, Ruth, for the land sakes! I haven't seen you for a coon's age."
+
+"Mable, I certainly am glad to see you! What are you doing here?"
+
+"I am visiting my cousin. Miss Babcock, my cousin, Miss Welty."
+
+"And allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. King."
+
+After the formal recognitions of the introductions, Ruth said, "Mable,
+I haven't seen you since you moved to the capital."
+
+"No. This is the first time I have been any place."
+
+Mable Finch and Ruth had been friends at Zala. Soon after Ruth came to
+Wilford Springs, Mable had moved with her parents to the state capital.
+
+"How are your folk?"
+
+"They are well. Father sticks right to business. Mother and I tried to
+get him to go to the Shriners' convention this summer, but he thinks
+that the business wouldn't run if he were away."
+
+"Is your father still in the hotel business?"
+
+"Yes; you couldn't get him to do anything else. He is planning to build
+the largest and finest hotel in the city."
+
+"Will he build soon?"
+
+"Yes, he expects to consider plans at once."
+
+Harold and Miss Welty had walked a short distance away to look at a
+petrified tree that had recently been donated to the park and were out
+of hearing.
+
+"That's a swell looking beau you are with," said Mable.
+
+"He is a splendid fellow and a very dear friend."
+
+"He certainly looks good."
+
+"Mable, I want you to visit me while you are here."
+
+"I wish I could, but it will be impossible. I just ran down for the
+week-end with my cousin, but I'll tell you what I want you to do. Will
+you do it?"
+
+"Well," said Ruth, "it will depend just a little on what it is."
+
+Both girls giggled.
+
+"I want you to go home with me for a visit. This week we are to have
+our fall musical festival."
+
+"I am going to surprise you by accepting the invitation. That is,
+provided I can get off at the bank where I work."
+
+Harold and Mable's cousin now rejoined them and the four left the park
+with the crowd that was now homeward bound.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XII
+
+
+A group of white robed figures were gathered on the summit of White
+Eagle mound. A great fiery cross was visible for many miles. Many of
+the citizens of Wilford Springs who had recently read in The Journal
+that the Klan was dead beheld with amazement the fiery emblem--got into
+their cars and drove along the road near the mound that they might get
+a close-up view of the cross and if possible gain some idea of the
+number of Klansmen who were assembled. The reports that circulated on
+the street the following day varied greatly, the numbers ranging from
+five hundred to a thousand.
+
+It was an important meeting and a large per cent of the members of
+Wilford Springs Klan (which now actually numbered eight hundred) were
+present, together with a few visiting Klansmen from neighboring Klans.
+
+It was an impressive sight for the occupants of the cars on the road
+when the white robed figures on the mound kneeled in a circle around
+the fiery cross. The Reverend Benton led the prayer. The minister,
+clad in the white robe which symbolizes purity, kneeling there beneath
+the star-lit heavens in the flickering light of the fiery cross (that
+signal for gathering and emblem of militant Christianity) poured out
+his soul in earnest supplication to Him, the all wise and loving
+Father:
+
+"Lord, we bow before Thee in humble recognition of Thy power and
+goodness. We thank Thee, as citizens of a great republic, for the
+blessings and opportunities that Thou hast granted us. We thank Thee
+for our country; for our churches; our homes; our free schools; and our
+pure womanhood.
+
+"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank Thee above all else that Thou didst
+send Thy Son Jesus Christ into the world 'to give life and to give it
+more abundantly.'
+
+"Lord, help us to stand courageously for our country, its institutions
+and laws. Teach us our duty to our fellow man. Lead us into larger
+fields of usefulness and in the great conflict of righteousness against
+sin may we be dedicated to Thy cause in body, in mind, in spirit and in
+life.
+
+"All wise Judge, as we are called upon to pass judgement on our fellow
+man, may Thy spirit of love prevail, and in our decisions may we be
+guided by Thine unerring judgment.
+
+"Lord, we pray Thee to bless this group of men and the homes of our
+community. We humbly beseech Thee to be with us as we pray together in
+the language which the Christ who died for us taught us to pray:
+
+"Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
+come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day
+our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
+And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is
+the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
+
+As the seven hundred men on the mound united their voices in the
+Lord's prayer the people in the cars heard and many were filled with
+awe and wonder. Many who had honestly believed that the Klan was an
+organization of undesirables were astonished.
+
+Mr. Henry Agnew, a Catholic, who was an exemplary citizen and highly
+respected, remarked to his wife when the "amen" had been pronounced,
+"Mary, my suspicions and fears that the Ku Kluxers are a menace to the
+community is considerably lessened since seeing that large body of men
+kneel in prayer."
+
+The prayer concluded, all stood. Judge Rider, the exalted Cyclops,
+said: "Klansmen, we have an important matter to come before the Klan
+tonight. You will each be called on to render an important decision
+and I ask you to listen attentively to the proceedings and render your
+verdict according to the evidence. Klaliff, you have some important
+matters to present."
+
+"I have, Your Excellency."
+
+"You may present the matter to the Klan."
+
+"The Kladd will present Klansman Tom Glynn at the Exalted Cyclops
+station."
+
+When the Kladd brought Glynn before the Exalted Cyclops, King, the
+Klaliff, said: "Klansmen, some time ago it became known to your
+Klaliff that the identity of Klansmen was being made known to men not
+Klansmen. The matter was reported promptly to your Exalted Cyclops.
+A secret investigation was made, and the movements of a number
+of Klansmen were closely observed. Klansman Glynn was seen to go
+directly to a room after a number of Klan meetings and confer with Pat
+McBryan. Will Klansmen Sam Bronson and Ned Fields come forward?" The
+two Klansmen came forward and testified to Glynn's conferences with
+McBryan. "The next morning after these conferences McBryan and other
+men were known to be in possession of information of inside affairs of
+the Klan.
+
+"One day when slips were passed to Klansmen giving some valuable
+information a photographer succeeded in taking a very interesting
+snapshot. I will ask a number of Klansmen to look at the picture and
+write on a slip of paper what you see without conferring with each
+other." Six Klansmen who were designated for this purpose examined
+the picture carefully and then wrote their observations. Four of them
+stated that the two men in the picture were Glynn and McBryan and that
+they were consulting a Klan information slip. The other two stated that
+one of the men was Glynn, that they did not know the other man and that
+they were looking at the Klan information slip which Glynn held in his
+hand. The Klaliff read these reports and then said: "Your Excellency,
+that is all the evidence we have to offer."
+
+"Klansman Glynn, do you wish to offer a defense or make a statement?"
+the Exalted Cyclops asked.
+
+"I have nothing to say except that I gave the information."
+
+"Why did you do this?" the Exalted Cyclops asked.
+
+"I did it to help the Holy Catholic Church."
+
+"Are you a Catholic?"
+
+"I was raised a Catholic. I do not now consider myself a Catholic, but
+I believe in The Holy Roman Church and am glad to serve her."
+
+"Glynn, who asked you to do this?"
+
+"I refuse to answer."
+
+"Klansmen, you have heard the charge and the evidence and Klansman
+Glynn's confession of guilt. What say you, shall Tom Glynn be expelled
+from this organization?"
+
+The vote was unanimous for expulsion.
+
+"Tom Glynn," said Cyclops Judge Rider, "you were received into this
+organization in good faith. You pretended to act in good faith. You
+took a sacred and solemn obligation to support the principles that all
+Klansmen are obligated to support. On the open Bible and before God you
+promised loyalty to Klansmen and the organization. You have confessed
+to violating that oath and give as a reason that you did it to assist
+the Catholic Church.
+
+"It must be a strange religious conscience that will permit one to
+hypocritically take the obligations of a patriotic and benevolent
+organization for the purpose of assisting the church of his choice.
+The information you furnished was of value only to law violators and
+designing politicians, and could not possibly be of any value to a
+church that has no other motives than to spread the religion of Jesus
+Christ.
+
+"You are now clad in the white robe of a Klansman. This robe was made
+white to represent purity of thought and actions, which it is the
+purpose of the Klan to promote. You, Tom Glynn, have disgraced this
+robe by your act of perfidy. You will take it off."
+
+Glynn removed the robe and handed it to the Exalted Cyclops.
+
+"No true Klansman would want to wear this robe that has been disgraced
+by you, consequently I consign it to the flames." A Klansman applied
+a lighted torch and no one spoke as the robe was being consumed by
+the flames. When it had been reduced to ashes, the Judge continued.
+"As the robe which you might have worn in honor has vanished so your
+relationship to this organization has ceased.
+
+"If perchance in the future you behold upon some hill the fiery cross
+may it say to you, 'That they who worship God must worship Him in
+spirit and in truth.'
+
+"Guards, you will escort the expelled member to the public road."
+
+So Tom Glynn was conducted out of the presence of the seven hundred
+Klansmen and was no longer a member of the Invisible Empire.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIII
+
+
+As the fall election drew near when county and state officers were to
+be elected, a tremendous effort was being made by all opposing factions
+to defeat those candidates that the Klan was said to favor. The wildest
+stories were circulated as to outrages having been committed by the
+Klan. The fear of the negroes was again played upon.
+
+Rastus Jones was airing some of the church troubles of the Union Avenue
+Baptist Church in the Wilford State Bank one morning and the bank force
+who had time to listen were greatly interested in his recital.
+
+"You sees it wa' jest like this. I's elected deacon and so's that
+rascally niggah, Sam Jenkins. I se's I ain't gwine to act as no deacon
+if that low down niggah is goin' to be deacon. It's not in accordance
+wid my exalted opinion of the dignities an duties of the impo'tant and
+splendiferous office of chu'ch deacon."
+
+"I guess that's right, Rastus," remarked the bank teller.
+
+"Yes, sah; dat is right. Well, when we'd been instituted in ouh
+offices----"
+
+"You mean installed, don't you?" Ruth asked.
+
+"Yes'm, dat's it, installed. The fust Sunday we 'ficiated aftah de
+duties and sponsibilities had become incumbent upon us dat impudent
+niggah looks at me and says, 'Rastus, do you presume that you has
+the qualifications requisite to serve as deacon?' It was lucky for
+that niggah that I didn't have my razzer with me. I jumps up befo'
+the entire boad of deacons and says, 'I moves that Sam Jenkins is
+disqualified to occupy the high and exalted position of deacon of The
+Union Avenue African Church.' Maybe you don't tink that brought on a
+battle. About half took sides wif me and tothah half wid Sam. Dar ware
+some langwage bein' used what wouldn't sound good in a pulpit when the
+Reverend George Washington Bascom entered and ast what all de argument
+was about. Well, Sam splained and I splained; but Sam splained moah
+than I did, an the Reverend George Washington Bascom decided that Sam
+could remain a deacon. I'd done said that I ain't gwine to serve with
+no sech a low down niggah so I takes my hat and walks out, and I ain't
+gwine to pay no moah of my ha'd earned money to a prechah what ain't
+got no mo' discriminatin and amplyfien powah than to side in with sech
+a wuthless niggah. I'se done stopped payin' and I reckons the Reverend
+is gwine to miss my thuty cents what I'se been takin' evah Sunday."
+
+"You better watch out," warned the cashier. "The Ku Kluxers may visit
+you."
+
+"Ain't nobody gwine to scah me with no Ku Klux talk. If I'se some
+if these niggahs what's a shootin' craps and liftin' othah people's
+chickens of' de roosts I might be scahed, but I'se a Christian, I is,
+and I jest like to know why the Kluxer would botheh me."
+
+"They might get you for going back on the preacher."
+
+"He done went back on me and de best interests of the chu'ch when he
+saved that onry low-down niggah from my just wrath and indignation."
+
+"The Klan may not look at it that way," said Ruth.
+
+"Go on, you all ain't gwine to scah me with no Ku Klux talk, you ain't."
+
+The bank clerks continued their work and Rastus busied himself about
+the bank. Several times during the morning his questions about the Ku
+Klux Klan showed a grave apprehension.
+
+"Rastus," said Stover, "I think you had better mop this evening after
+banking hours."
+
+"Yes, sah; I'll mop it tonight. I'se janitah at one of the school
+buildings and have to do the work there right aftah fo' o'clock."
+
+"Well, I don't care when you do it just so you get it done," Stover
+replied.
+
+That evening after dinner at the Babcock home Ruth announced that she
+was going back to the bank.
+
+"I'm sorry that they want you to come to the bank and work at night,"
+said her father.
+
+"This work that I am going to do tonight is a little work I want to do
+for myself. Mr. Stover did not tell me to do it."
+
+"I hope you will not be out late."
+
+Before going, Ruth went to her room and secured a pillow slip and a
+sheet; in the pillow slip she cut eyes and a mouth vent for breathing.
+She wrapped the pillow slip and sheet in a paper which she carried
+under her arm.
+
+When she reached the bank she locked herself in her office and waited
+for the arrival of the janitor.
+
+It was eight-thirty when he came. Ruth could hear him talking
+frequently to himself as he worked. Once she heard him say, "Who's
+afeared of them Kluxers, anyway. I'm mighty shuah I ain't."
+
+Ruth put on her robe and mask and viewed herself in the mirror. She
+suppressed a laugh. When she heard Rastus emptying the water she went
+out of the door that opened directly into the corridor and waited
+behind the elevator cage which was standing at the bottom of the shaft.
+
+Soon Rastus came out and when near the elevator Ruth stepped from
+behind it.
+
+Rastus threw up both his hands and exclaimed, "Lawd, Lawd!" and began
+to back off. The white robed figure wearing a white mask slowly
+followed him. One arm under the robe was lifted toward him. He was
+sure the Klansman had a revolver in his hand, as he backed away from
+the approaching figure he said, "Please don't shoot me, I ain't done
+nothin', Mistah Ku Klux--honest to Gawd, I ain't."
+
+"You have refused to support your pastor." The white robed figure spoke
+in a sepulchral voice.
+
+"I'se only missed payin' one Sunday and that's a fact. If you will let
+me go this time I'll pay evah Sunday."
+
+"You may have one more chance. Now face the wall and don't look around
+until you have counted three hundred. My final warning to you is
+beware, beware, beware!"
+
+The negro, as directed, faced the wall and began to count. Ruth removed
+her robe and mask as she passed through the outer entrance to the
+corridor and hastened to the street intersection where she caught a car.
+
+The next morning it was ten o'clock before Rastus made his appearance
+at the bank.
+
+"Rastus, you are a little late," said Stover.
+
+"Yes, sah, Mr. Stover, I'se late. I had a terrible sperience last night
+that's kinda made me feel flober-gasted."
+
+"What was the trouble, Rastus?" asked Stover.
+
+"I was visited by the Ku Klux Klan."
+
+"What, are you telling the truth?" Stover asked with interest.
+
+The bank employees all left their work and gathered around Rastus.
+
+"Honest to Gawd, I'se tellin' the truf. I'd jest finished moppin' and
+sta'ted home, when out from behind the elevator stepped one of them Ku
+Kluxers."
+
+"Did he have a mask on?" someone asked.
+
+"Yes, sah; he had a mask on."
+
+"Was there just one?" the cashier asked.
+
+"Jest one in the hall, but I heard a lot of 'em outside the doah."
+
+"What did the Klansman say to you?"
+
+"He said I hadn't been payin' our preachah. I spec dat skunk of a Sam
+Jenkins done set 'em on me."
+
+"What did they do?"
+
+"This big spook done say he give me one moah chance."
+
+"Why didn't you grab him and lift his mask?" Golter asked.
+
+"He was too big and powahful."
+
+"How big was he?" asked Ruth.
+
+"He must have been seben feet tall."
+
+"You thought he was too big for you to grapple with?"
+
+"Yas, ma'am, he was too big--besides he threatened me with a gun."
+
+"Are you sure he had a gun?" she asked.
+
+"Yes'm, I'se shuah. I didn't see the gun itsef. He kept it covered with
+his robe, but he shuah nuf pointed it at me."
+
+"This is no more than I have been expecting," Mr. Stover remarked, and
+the clerks resumed their work.
+
+All day at irregular intervals Ruth shook with suppressed laughter.
+That evening when she reached home and saw a copy of the Journal
+she gave full vent to her mirth. Springer had made the most capital
+possible out of the incident. This was a consequence that Ruth had not
+foreseen. When she saw the article she was thoroughly amused at the
+exaggerated garbled report of it, but after reflecting on the article
+she regretted that she had staged the affair. She had never once
+thought of the incident's being used to the detriment of the Klan. She
+re-read the article:
+
+ KU KLUX KLAN MOB NEGRO
+ His Life Threatened
+
+ "The very thing that was to be expected of the Ku Klux Klan has come
+ to pass in Wilford Springs. Last night about 9 p.m. a dozen or more
+ members of the Ku Klux Klan went to the main entrance of the Central
+ State Bank of Wilford. One of their number, wearing a robe and mask,
+ entered the corridor and waited for Rastus Jones, the janitor of the
+ bank, who was doing some work on the inside. When he had finished
+ his work and was walking through the corridor leaving the building a
+ man in a white robe and wearing a mask suddenly stepped from behind
+ the elevator and forced Mr. Jones into a corner at the point of a
+ revolver. The Klansman threatened the life of Mr. Jones if he did
+ not agree to do something that was contrary to the dictates of his
+ conscience. The white robed and hooded ruffian then flourished the
+ gun in the face of Mr. Jones and warned him that he would be given
+ only the one chance. Mr. Jones was then forced to face the wall and
+ was told to count to three hundred before looking around. When he had
+ counted the required number and reached the street, the Klansmen were
+ gone. The robed Klansman is described as a very large man with an
+ exceedingly heavy voice.
+
+ "It seems that Mr. Jones had had a little trouble with another colored
+ man, and he is of the opinion that this man secured the assistance
+ of the Klan. This seems plausible as Mr. Jones is a highly respected
+ colored man, honest and industrious. This hooded organization has been
+ known before to act as an agent to punish someone through personal
+ spite.
+
+ "The Klan movement in Wilford Springs has been discouraged by the
+ best citizens of the community. The organization here at present is
+ small and, as it is elsewhere, composed of the derelicts of society,
+ together with a few foolish individuals who are easily influenced to
+ part with their money to enrich Klan promoters, not knowing the real
+ nature of the organization.
+
+ "This incident should arouse all good citizens to do their utmost to
+ oppose the Klan."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Saturday evening when the employees of the bank were receiving their
+pay Rastus Jones said to the cashier, "I wants some change fo' my
+chu'ch envelope tomorrow."
+
+"I thought you had quit paying to the church."
+
+"I done quit but I'se gwine to sta't to payin' agin. I don't believe a
+Christian should quit payin' the preachah jest 'cause he don't like all
+the preachah does. I wants the change so's I can get sixty cents out of
+it fer my envelope."
+
+"All right, here you are, but I thought you said that you only gave
+thirty cents."
+
+"Yas, sar, dat's all I gives regular, but I didn't pay las' Sunday, so
+I'se gwine to make up fer it this time."
+
+The following Sunday evening the Reverend George Washington Bascom
+discussed "The Questions of the Day." The Union Avenue African Church
+was well filled. Many of the members of this church were among the best
+colored people of the town, but of course the Union Avenue Church also
+had its share of the other kind.
+
+The major portion of Reverend Bascom's address was devoted to the
+coming election. He discussed the issues of the campaign and then he
+aroused tremendous interest when he said:
+
+"They tell us that the Ku Klux Klan is a factor in this campaign. They
+told us in the city election that if we did not line up for certain
+candidates that the Klan would get so strong here that no negro would
+be safe in the pursuit of his happiness. Now if there is any nigger
+here whose pursuit of happiness leads him to the chicken coop of his
+neighbor he ought not to be safe in that pursuit."
+
+("Dat's right, dat's right," came from a number of his auditors.) "Now
+they are trying to scare us with that bogey man, the Klan."
+
+"Now the Klan may go out and do unlawful things and then again it may
+not." ("I know it does," came from the pew where Rastus Jones was
+seated. "Amen," shouted Sam Jenkins.) "As I was a saying, the Klan may
+sometimes whip a nigger and then again it may be some folks who have no
+connection with the Klan, but if the Klan does do it I want to tell you
+that it isn't any more than some of you rascally niggers need."
+
+("Amen, amen; dat's right, dat's right," came from various parts of the
+house.)
+
+The Reverend Bascom ceased to speak. His mouth dropped open, his eyes,
+fixed on the door in the rear of the room, protruded from his head.
+
+The congregation turned and looked to see if their minister had
+suddenly seen a ghost. There in the doorway, clad in white, his face
+concealed by a mask, stood a Klansman. Some of the women screamed. The
+man in white started down the aisle, and other white robed and masked
+figures entered, and as fifteen or twenty of them pressed down the
+aisles the greatest excitement prevailed. "Lawd have mercy on us!" some
+of the women ejaculated. One or two negroes crawled under benches
+and one man, of whom it was reported that he had been paying too much
+attention to another man's wife, jumped through a window and never quit
+running until he reached the woods a mile and a half from town.
+
+As the white robed figures neared the front of the room the pastor
+clutched the pulpit with both hands. Rastus Jones, who was seated on a
+front seat, called out, "Mistah Kluxers, I'se done paid up my chu'ch
+dues. You kin ast de treasurer."
+
+When the two Klansmen in front halted in front of the pastor one spoke
+in a clear voice that could be distinctly heard all over the room:
+"Reverend Bascom, the Wilford Springs Klan has heard of your good work
+as pastor of this church. (The preacher breathed easier.) The Klan
+is ready to help you and back you up in every good work. Here is an
+envelope containing an expression of good will from our organization."
+
+The spokesman handed the envelope to the minister who, with trembling
+hands, tore it open. It contained three hundred dollars and a note
+which read: "Fifty dollars of this money is a personal gift to the
+Reverend Bascom and the remaining two hundred and fifty dollars is a
+gift to the church to be applied on the church indebtedness."
+
+Whatever fear that the pastor had entertained up to this moment now
+vanished. A broad grin overspread his black face.
+
+"Members of the Ku Klux Klan," he said, "in behalf of myself and this
+congregation I thank you for this gift. I wish your organization
+success in its efforts to uphold the laws and promote good citizenship.
+Again I thank you."
+
+The Klansmen then left the room in silence. After the last one was out
+the pastor read the note just received and a chorus of hallelujahs
+followed.
+
+"Hallelujah! That's right, brethren," said the Reverend Bascom,
+"I believe it would be a fine thing to close this meeting with a
+hallelujah song." And they did and sang it with a will.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIV
+
+
+"What are we going to do, mother?" asked little ten-year-old Grace
+Armstrong. Mrs. Armstrong wiped away a tear and answered, "I don't know
+what, but I think God will help us find a way."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong was a widow; her husband had died three years before and
+left her with three small children. When the doctor bills and funeral
+expenses were paid there was very little of the thousand dollars of
+insurance left, and she found herself confronted with the problem of
+earning a living and caring for the three small children. She went
+heroically to work taking in washing and succeeded fairly well until
+one of the children became ill and, after a lingering illness of
+four months, died. During the time of the illness of the child Mrs.
+Armstrong's earnings were considerably decreased, as a great portion of
+her time and energy must be given to the nursing of the little invalid.
+
+Doctor bills and funeral expenses and decreased earnings were
+responsible for the piling up of considerable debts.
+
+Grace was the oldest of the children, and the mother often talked
+things over with her as she had no older person with whom to counsel.
+
+This question was occasioned by a letter which notified Mrs. Armstrong
+that unless the house rent were paid by the first of the next month
+she must move out.
+
+"We might find another house, although vacant houses are scarce, but
+everybody would want a month's rent in advance. We have only three
+dollars in the house, and we must keep that to buy bread. You know
+I had to give up two of the family washings during little Jimmy's
+sickness, and I have only been able to get one in place of them. I'll
+go down to the bank and explain to Mr. Stover why I haven't paid the
+rent."
+
+"Do you think if you explain it to him he will let us stay?"
+
+"Yes, I think so. You peel the potatoes for dinner while I finish this
+washing, and then after dinner I'll go see him."
+
+That afternoon Mrs. Armstrong called at the Central State Bank and
+asked for the president. She was informed that he was busy. "Would she
+wait?"
+
+She sat down on the bench and watched the people coming and going; some
+to deposit and others to draw out. Some with large sacks bearing many
+coins, others with only a few dollars to add to their accounts. She had
+neither money to deposit nor money to withdraw. She noticed the large
+stacks of money behind barred windows and thought of the inequalities
+of life, and wondered not a little why it should be so.
+
+After a wait of half an hour she was informed that Mr. Stover could
+see her. It was with a great deal of trepidation that she entered the
+president's office.
+
+"I am Mrs. Armstrong," she explained. "I have come to talk with you
+about the rent."
+
+"Yes, let's see, I sent you a notice, didn't I?"
+
+"Yes, you told me to pay by the first or get out. I thought if I
+explained to you why I was behind with the rent you might let me stay,
+and I will pay."
+
+He opened his desk and took out a large book and turned to his list of
+tenants. He owned ten business houses and fifty residences which he
+rented. "I find," he said, "that you will be three months behind the
+first of next month."
+
+"I am very sorry that I am so much behind. My little boy was ill
+so long that I couldn't earn much and then there were the funeral
+expenses."
+
+"I am very sorry, Mrs. Armstrong. I would like to let you remain in
+the house regardless of whether you could pay any rent or not if I
+consulted my feelings alone," the banker rubbed his hands together
+and smiled benignly, "but the fact is, Mrs. Armstrong, that if I get
+fifteen dollars a month, which is the amount you have been paying,
+after paying taxes and paying for the upkeep of the property, I am
+losing money. I would like to give you the free use of this house if I
+could afford to do so, but I simply can't afford to let you have it any
+cheaper, as I am now renting it to you at less than cost, if I figure
+any interest on my investment."
+
+"I am not asking you to rent it any cheaper. All I am asking is that
+you give me a little more time to catch up. I will pay you every cent I
+owe you if you will just give me time. It's pretty slow work catching
+up when you have a family to support and no way to make money except by
+taking in washing."
+
+"I am very sorry, Mrs. Armstrong, but really believe that for your
+own interest you should get a cheaper house. I really feel that I am
+advising you for your own benefit when I tell you that if you find that
+you can't raise the back rent I will have to insist on your vacating.
+Good afternoon, Mrs. Armstrong. I am always glad to advise you. When
+you wish to consult me, feel free to call." He bowed her out.
+
+She must try to find another house, as there was no possibility of her
+earning the amount of money necessary to pay the back rent by the first
+of the month.
+
+She went to Charles Wilson's office to inquire about a house. The fat
+real estate man was so jovial and at the same time so sympathetic that
+(though she had intended to tell him only of her inability to pay but
+a part of the month's rent in advance, in case she could find a house)
+she told him of her financial difficulties and of the notice from
+Stover to vacate.
+
+"You say that Stover told you that you must pay up by the first of the
+month or vacate?"
+
+"Yes, he said that he would like to let me have the free use of the
+house if he could afford it, but he could not afford it as he was
+losing money on it at fifteen dollars. To be sure I do not want the
+free use of his house or any house. All I want is a little time until I
+can catch up."
+
+"Did he say he was losing money on that house you are living in?"
+
+"Yes, he said he was if he figured any interest on the capital
+invested."
+
+"Well, you know Stover is used to figuring a pretty high rate of
+interest on the money he has invested. Let's see, are there three or
+four rooms in that house?"
+
+"Three."
+
+"It isn't modern, is it?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I didn't think the water had been put in on that street."
+
+"The closest city water is on Sixteenth Street, three blocks away."
+
+"Mrs. Armstrong, I have a little three-room house listed here on Maple
+Street--a much better residence district than where you are living. I
+can rent you this house for twelve dollars a month and it is modern."
+
+"That will be fine."
+
+"If I were you I wouldn't wait until the first of the month to take
+this house, as it will not stand vacant long at that price."
+
+"I want it but I can't raise even half of a month's rent before the
+first of the month."
+
+"If you want the house, that part can be arranged all right."
+
+"Thank you. I certainly want it and I will move right away. I intend to
+pay Mr. Stover just as soon as I can."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Klansmen, you have all read of the alleged Klansmen who threatened the
+life of the negro, Rastus Jones. We know that they were not Klansmen."
+(Judge Rider, the Exalted Cyclops, spoke with earnestness.) "True
+Klansmen do not take the law into their own hands. The man who does,
+not only violates his oath as a Klansman but acts contrary to the
+purpose and spirit of our organization. If it is proven that any member
+of this organization takes part in an affair such as was narrated in
+the Journal (you can't believe half that's in the Journal, someone
+interposed) he can expect to leave this Klan as Tom Glynn left it. I
+would like to see how many of you endorse this sentiment."
+
+He paused while they voted their approval. The vote was unanimous.
+"I feel confident that no one who has taken the sacred and binding
+obligation of a Klansman took part in that affair, yet it is going
+to hurt the organization. Let me remind each of you that the mask is
+only to be worn in regular Klan ceremonies, when in peaceful parades
+and when doing charitable deeds. It may be that occasionally some
+misinformed, or misguided Klansman may think it his duty to check some
+unlawful act by the commission of some other unlawful act. We cannot
+expect three million men all to keep implicitly the rules of the
+organization. Breaches of the peace are sometimes committed by soldiers
+in the army, by members of fraternal orders and churches. Even Peter
+denied his Master thrice, and there was a Judas among the twelve. But
+you who are strong must help to strengthen the weak, and when you see
+a brother acting in a manner unworthy of a Klansman remind him of his
+obligation.
+
+"Fortunately, selected as our members are from the best citizens of the
+community, we have a right to expect only a small amount of misconduct."
+
+When Judge Rider had finished his talk, he asked if there were anything
+to bring before the Klan.
+
+"I have a matter to present," said Charles Wilson. "There is a widow
+in this town whose family is in need." He then told them how Mrs.
+Armstrong had been left a widow without means, how she had labored to
+support her children; of the death of her little boy; and that she had
+gotten behind and could not pay her rent and unless it was paid up in
+full, Stover had ordered her out of the house.
+
+"What do you wish to do in this matter?" the Exalted Cyclops asked.
+
+A Klansman moved that a special collection be taken for the relief of
+Mrs. Armstrong and her children.
+
+When the collection was taken Judge Rider remarked: "Klansmen, we can
+do no better work than this. I believe it was the Apostle James who
+said: 'Pure religion and undefiled before God, the Father, is this:
+to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep
+himself unspotted from the world.'"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Mrs. Armstrong had risen early to get an early start at the washing.
+The children were asleep. She liked to let them sleep as long as
+possible of a morning. She hoped to get an extra washing during the
+week as she would have the added expense of moving.
+
+There was a knock at the door. Who could her early caller be, she
+wondered. She slipped a clean apron on over her dress and hurried to
+the door, but not until the impatient visitor had knocked the second
+time.
+
+When she reached the door she found a stranger there waiting. Another
+man whom she did not know was waiting in a car in the street.
+
+"Is this Mrs. Armstrong?" the man at the door asked.
+
+"Yes, I am Mrs. Armstrong."
+
+"Here is an envelope that I was requested to hand you." He gave her
+a large envelope and without another word hurried to the car. Mrs.
+Armstrong, wondering at his brevity and haste, watched them drive out
+of sight around the corner before she opened the envelope which he
+had handed her. Imagine her surprise when she found that it contained
+bills. She looked at it carefully--yes it was real money. There was
+some mistake. They must have been mistaken in the address where they
+were to take the envelope. She counted the money. There was two hundred
+dollars. "If this money were really mine," she thought, "how much it
+would help me. Sixty or seventy dollars would pay all my debts, and I
+could go right to town and buy some school clothes for the children,
+which they are needing so badly." She happened to look into the
+envelope and saw a piece of paper on which was written in a large bold
+hand:
+
+ "The Wilford Springs Ku Klux Klan commends you for keeping your
+ children in the public schools and Sunday School and for all your
+ efforts to raise them to become good citizens. In appreciation of your
+ services to your family and community we send you a little gift which
+ we trust will be accepted in the same spirit in which it is sent.
+
+ "Wilford Springs Ku Klux Klan."
+
+"Thank the Lord for the Klan!" exclaimed Mrs. Armstrong and then
+hurried to call the children that they might share the joy with her.
+
+When the morning meal was over and the washing on the line she went
+down to the Central State Bank and asked for Mr. Stover. The bank
+president was surprised when she told him that she had come to settle
+the back rent. When he saw her he supposed of course that she had come
+to beg for more time. When she said, "I have come to settle with you,"
+he could scarcely believe his ears.
+
+"Are you ready to pay all?" he asked.
+
+"Yes. I will settle with you and move out tomorrow."
+
+"If you settle, Mrs. Armstrong," he said, smiling, "you don't need to
+move out."
+
+"I want to move out. I have found a modern three-roomed house for
+twelve dollars a month."
+
+"There must be something wrong if you get a modern, three-roomed
+house for twelve dollars. You had better be careful. It must be in an
+undesirable locality, and you know, Mrs. Armstrong, you can't afford to
+take your children into an undesirable neighborhood."
+
+"This house is on Maple Street."
+
+"There must be something wrong."
+
+"I am going to move out of your house tomorrow. I owe you for two and a
+half months."
+
+"You owe for three months. When you remain in a house you owe for the
+entire month."
+
+"Very well, Mr. Stover. Here is your money. I was visited this morning
+by a stranger who gave me an envelope containing two hundred dollars--a
+gift from the Wilford Springs Ku Klux Klan."
+
+Stover's countenance fell when he received this information.
+
+"That's a very bad organization," he said gravely. "Didn't you read in
+the paper how they mistreated my janitor?"
+
+"I don't know anything about what they did to your janitor, but I do
+know they helped me and that I am thankful," she said, smiling.
+
+That afternoon Stover rented his residence which Mrs. Armstrong was
+to vacate the next day and secured a month's rent in advance. He did
+not deduct to the new tenant the half month's rent the widow had paid,
+neither did he give it back to her. He was at a loss to know why within
+a week from this time two hundred thousand dollars were withdrawn by
+depositors.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong went directly from the bank to the home of the Reverend
+Earl Benton.
+
+"Reverend Benton," she said, "I have heard that you are a member of the
+Ku Klux Klan."
+
+"I am," he replied. "I do not hesitate to let the public know that I am
+a member of this great organization, as my work for the organization
+is in the lecture field, but if the membership as a whole would permit
+their identity to become known it would destroy in a large measure
+the efficiency of the organization. Nothing would please law violators
+better than to know the identity of these men who are assisting
+officers as special detectives."
+
+"What I wanted, Reverend Benton, is to ask you to thank the Wilford
+Springs Klan for the wonderful present they sent me. Tell them I
+certainly appreciate it. It came at a time when I was in dire need."
+
+The day following the gift of the two hundred dollars to Mrs.
+Armstrong, Willard Jackson, who owned a large clothing store and was
+considered one of the most conservative men in town, met Springer, the
+editor of the Journal.
+
+"Say, Jackson," said Springer, "wasn't that incident that happened the
+other night a disgrace to our city?"
+
+"To what affair do you refer?"
+
+"The mobbing of that negro by members of the Ku Klux Klan."
+
+"If the facts were as stated in your paper it was an incident to
+be regretted, and if the Klan is responsible for it, it is to be
+condemned."
+
+"There's no question about the facts as reported in the Journal, and no
+question but what it was done by the Kluxers."
+
+"Did they say they were Kluxers?" Mr. Jackson asked.
+
+"No; they didn't say so, but the one who threatened the negro with the
+gun wore the Ku Klux robe and mask."
+
+"Springer, I do not consider that any proof at all. Anyone could have
+put on a white robe and mask."
+
+"Well, when the Klan insists on wearing those masks they should be
+willing to take the blame for all damage done by masked parties. If
+they are not directly responsible for all the depredations committed by
+masked ruffians they should take the blame for wearing the masks."
+
+"Did you ever stop to think that there were more whippings and
+applications of tar and feathers by masked men before the Klan came
+into existence than there has been since? Reverend Benton stated in his
+lecture that it is the purpose of the Klan to prevent lynchings."
+
+"That's not true," said Springer, getting excited. "The Klan practices
+lynching and encourages mob violence."
+
+"I noticed in the Eagle that the Klan gave the Union Avenue Colored
+Church a two hundred fifty dollar donation to apply on the church debt
+and the pastor a donation of fifty dollars, but I never saw any mention
+of it in your paper."
+
+"I heard something about it, but it was not officially reported to me.
+It is the policy of the Journal not to print rumors. We only print
+news from reliable sources."
+
+"I heard today that the Klan gave the Widow Armstrong a donation of two
+hundred dollars. Now if that is true, it sounds mighty good to me. I
+don't belong to the Klan or know much about it, but I am in favor of
+giving everybody a square deal."
+
+"The Klan never gave anybody anything. If the Widow Armstrong got
+a donation it is safe to say it wasn't from the Klan. The gifts to
+charity that are reputed to be from the Klan are not from the Klan at
+all."
+
+"Who gives them, then?"
+
+"The organizer does it for advertising purposes."
+
+"I shouldn't think that he could afford to make so many gifts."
+
+"This Klan business is a great money-making scheme. You see the
+organizer makes ten dollars on every member he secures."
+
+"How much does it cost to get into this organization?" Jackson asked.
+
+"Twenty-five dollars," the newspaper man replied.
+
+"That's news to me."
+
+"I can tell you something else that perhaps you do not know. The Klan
+oath is in direct violation of the Constitution of the United States.
+The Klan members are obligated to support the Klan regardless of how
+the interests of the Klan may clash with the government of the United
+States."
+
+"How do you know, Springer, did you ever take this oath?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Did you ever see it?"
+
+"No."
+
+"How do you know, then?"
+
+"I am in the newspaper business, and I have ways of getting information
+that the ordinary person does not have," declared Springer with an air
+and tone of great importance.
+
+Two Klansmen, standing near, heard this conversation. Each one had
+contributed to the funds for the colored Baptist Church and the Widow
+Armstrong donations; they had each paid only ten dollars initiation
+fee and knew that the organizer received only a small part of that;
+they had each taken the solemn obligation of a Klansman binding himself
+to support to the full extent of his ability the Constitution of the
+United States. As they moved away one remarked, "Springer is certainly
+a malicious liar or an ignoramus."
+
+"'Verily, he hath his reward,'" the other remarked.
+
+"Pray tell me what it is."
+
+"I have heard that Aesop once said that there is a compensation for
+everything. A friend said, 'You are wrong! What compensation hath the
+fool?'
+
+"Aesop replied, 'The fool has the joy of being wise in his own
+conceit.' If Aesop is correct, Springer should experience a great deal
+of joy."
+
+The two men laughed heartily.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XV
+
+
+Harold King was walking in the clouds. He had received a letter from
+J.C. Welty asking him to come to the capital at once. He stated that he
+was going to build a large hotel, work to begin as soon as the plans
+were drawn, and that King had been recommended to him as an architect.
+
+Harold decided that in order to make the right kind of impression he
+must have some new clothes, consequently he waived his objections to
+going in debt for clothes and that evening visited Jackson's clothing
+store where he was fitted out.
+
+He had made the drawings and drawn up most of the specifications for a
+big hotel when he was an employee in an architect's office, and these
+he now got together. It was fortunate he had saved them. This done he
+called Ruth over the 'phone and secured her permission to call in the
+evening.
+
+About three o'clock in the afternoon Golter entered Ruth's office.
+"Miss Ruth," he said, "don't you want to take a ride?" Ruth had
+declined many invitations to ride with Golter and refused many requests
+to call.
+
+"I would prefer riding to pounding this typewriter this time in the
+afternoon, but the chances are I will have to continue to pound it
+until four o'clock."
+
+"I am going to Zala and thought you might enjoy going along for the
+ride."
+
+"I would like to go to Zala. I haven't been there for so long. When are
+you going to start?"
+
+"Right away."
+
+"I wouldn't want to ask to quit work early."
+
+"I'll ask Uncle Jim for you, if you will go."
+
+"I don't want to go if Mr. Stover needs me."
+
+Golter stepped into the president's office and soon returned with
+the information that Uncle Jim said that she could go as soon as she
+finished the letter she was writing.
+
+"How long will you be gone?" she asked.
+
+"Oh, we should be back by six or six-thirty. You know it is only
+twenty-four miles from here to Zala, and it will only take a few
+minutes to attend to the business."
+
+Ruth called her aunt and told her that she was going with Mr. Golter to
+Zala.
+
+On the way going he asked, "What do you think of the Ku Klux Klan by
+this time?"
+
+She replied, "It seems to be doing some good."
+
+"Perhaps a little good but much more harm."
+
+"How do you know that it's doing harm?"
+
+"I know by what I read. Besides you can't expect anything but trouble
+from the class of people that belong."
+
+"What do you know about the class of people who belong?" she asked.
+
+"They are mostly crooks and ne'er-do-wells like that fellow King, who
+goes around with his coat frayed at the cuff."
+
+"Mr. King has more to him than a whole lot of fellows who are better
+dressed; but how do you know who belongs?"
+
+"You see that that class of people have little principle and many of
+them give away their membership."
+
+"I don't believe it," she said with spirit. "I think that there are
+unprincipled people who work some of their bunch into the Klan for the
+purpose of giving it away."
+
+"It certainly ruins one's standing in society when it is found out
+that he belongs to the hooded bunch. I wouldn't want to associate with
+anyone who was connected with these midnight marauders."
+
+"I believe in the principles of the Klan; I believe that a good class
+of men belong; that they are doing many charitable acts, and in many
+places have created more respect for law and order. If I were a man I
+would join this order of real red-blooded Americans."
+
+Golter decided that he was not getting anywhere in the direction which
+he desired to go; he tried a new tack.
+
+"I was reading a new book the other day, the title of which is, 'The
+Quest for Happiness'."
+
+"Is it good?"
+
+"Yes. It is so much more practical than many books along that line. I
+suppose you would call the author a materialist, but then you know that
+everything in this world that has any value has a material basis."
+
+"I am not so sure of that."
+
+"Well, if you will read this book you will see that his philosophy is
+good common sense. He shows that no matter what enjoyment one seeks
+one must possess material wealth to secure the means of gratification.
+If one desires music, he needs money to attend the concerts or provide
+the instruments for himself. If he loves art he is all the worse if he
+hasn't money with which to buy pictures or visit art galleries. Man may
+develop an appetite for orange sundaes but he is miserable because of
+this fondness if he lacks the price. He knocked the doctrine of 'love
+in a cottage' into a cocked hat. He says, how absurd to think a couple
+could be happy in this day and age in a little stuffy cottage without
+any of the modern conveniences, unable to entertain, no automobile, no
+money to take a trip, etc. Isn't he right?"
+
+"No, he isn't. Of course money has its place, and it might be very
+difficult to be happy in penury; but love is not dependent on rugs,
+furs, pianos and automobiles, which are all well enough in their place.
+Honesty and all of the Christian virtues are not dependent on material
+things. It is true that the one with the artistic taste may desire
+fine pictures, but if he is a true artist he will not be more miserable
+with the love of the beautiful within him and no money with which to
+purchase pictures than he would be without the aesthetic talent. Quite
+the opposite. He can behold the beauties of the heavens at night, the
+wild flowers and the birds; he can appreciate the pink hue of the dawn
+and the golden glow of the sunset, and enjoy the forests and ferns
+that jack frost paints on the window panes. To be sure, nobody wants
+to starve, but I am of the opinion that love will flourish no better
+on roast turkey and maple syrup than it will on bacon and sorghum
+molasses."
+
+Ruth visited with a few of her friends in Zala while Golter attended
+to his business. They remained in Zala a little longer than Ruth had
+thought they would.
+
+When they started home Ruth remarked, "It is later than I had thought
+we would be here."
+
+Golter looked at his watch. "It's only six o'clock. If we have no bad
+luck we will be home by seven. We could drive it in much less than an
+hour if it weren't for that five miles of bad road."
+
+"I hope we can get home by seven," said Ruth.
+
+"Anything of importance?"
+
+"Yes, there is. I had a date with Mr. King tonight." Ruth was not only
+anxious to keep the engagement with her friend but was also anxious to
+show Golter that his slurs and innuendos had made no other impression
+on her than to create a stronger desire to be more loyal to her
+friend. She was filled with a feeling of disgust for Golter.
+
+This information was evidently not very pleasing to Golter. He became
+less talkative and the conversational atmosphere became rather chilly.
+
+They had driven but a few miles when Golter stopped the car.
+
+"What is the trouble?" Ruth asked.
+
+"Something wrong with the engine." He got out and worked for fifteen
+minutes. Ruth felt relieved when he closed down the hood. He got into
+the car and they started. They had not gone far when he stopped the
+engine again and remarked, "There is something wrong yet with the
+engine."
+
+"Oh, I wish I were an automobile mechanic for a little while so that I
+could know whether there is really anything wrong with that engine,"
+thought Ruth.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Harold King's heart was singing a joyful melody as he went to the home
+of his friend, Ruth Babcock. He was happy because he had a chance at a
+big job. He felt more efficient because he was wearing a neat suit of
+clothes. There is a psychological value in clothes. A man who is poorly
+and shabbily clad may be ever so brilliant and honorable a man, but the
+shabby clothes detract from his confidence and power.
+
+When Harold reached the Babcock home he was met at the door by Aunt
+Clara who informed him that Miss Ruth had gone to Zala with Mr. Golter.
+She did not know when she would be back but presumed that it would be
+late, as it was a long drive to Zala, and Ruth had so many friends
+there that she would want to see.
+
+Harold was not in a pleasant frame of mind when he returned to his
+room. He threw himself down in a chair with a woe-begone look on his
+face. What a difference a half hour may make in one's spirits! How
+quickly the sunshine can vanish and darkness envelope us! Harold
+wondered whether or not Ruth really cared a great deal for Golter. He
+couldn't understand how a girl with the ideals and good sense that
+Ruth possessed could care very much for a snob like Golter. However,
+she must think a great deal of him when she broke her engagement with
+himself and went to another town with Golter.
+
+He would not let her know that he cared, except to show her he was
+independent. He would leave on the five o'clock train the next morning
+for the state capital. She wouldn't know of his chance for this good
+job nor would she see him in his new suit. Every man desires to appear
+well before the woman he admires. "She owes me an explanation, and I
+shall stay away from her until she makes it," he thought. He was not
+only disappointed but his pride was hurt as well.
+
+When Ruth reached home at 8:30 she was informed by her aunt that Mr.
+King had called. She went at once to the 'phone and called him up.
+
+"Mr. King? This is Ruth Babcock speaking. I am very sorry that I was
+not at home when you called."
+
+"If it will not inconvenience you I would like to have you come
+tonight."
+
+"No, it isn't too late."
+
+"I don't like to bother you if you are busy, but I would like very much
+to talk to you."
+
+"Of course if you don't want to come----"
+
+"I'll expect you in a few minutes."
+
+She ate a lunch and was in readiness to receive him when he called. She
+noticed that he carried an injured air, and proceeded to explain at
+once why she was not back early as she expected. (After her explanation
+his feelings were considerably mollified.)
+
+"Ruth," he said, "I am leaving on the four-forty train in the morning.
+I am going to the state capital."
+
+"Will you be gone long?"
+
+"Only a day or so. I have a chance for a big job there--a hotel. If I
+am fortunate enough to land it, I shall have to make several trips up
+there."
+
+"I certainly hope you land it. You richly deserve to."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"Pardon the intrusion," said Mr. Babcock, as he entered. "How are you,
+Mr. King? You are certainly looking fine." Ruth had thought so too but
+had not told him.
+
+"I am feeling fine. I hope you are feeling better."
+
+"Not much change in my condition. I am reading 'Macbeth.' I just
+stepped in to get a commentary on Shakespeare. 'Macbeth' is a great
+play. Duncan and I had very bitter experiences with the man whom we
+trusted. Duncan was murdered by his kinsman, Macbeth, whom he had
+honored and in whom he had implicit confidence. I was robbed by a
+man whom I trusted and to whom I was foolish enough to teach the
+combination to my safe."
+
+When he had left the room Ruth remarked, "Poor, dear father, he tries
+so hard to remember. The other night when he was reading 'Macbeth' he
+looked up from his reading and remarked, 'It seems to me I have read
+this play before.' He was only in the second act then and he laid
+the book down and spent the rest of the evening trying to recall the
+remainder of the play. He worried about it and I had a hard time to
+persuade him to give it up and retire at eleven-thirty. I am so anxious
+to take him to Dr. Lilly, and it's only going to be a little while
+until we can go. I have two hundred dollars in my special fund now, and
+when I save fifty more I am going to take him."
+
+"I sincerely hope Dr. Lilly can help him."
+
+"Don't you think he can, Harold?"
+
+Harold had but little hopes of Dr. Lilly's being able to help her
+father and feared Ruth would be disappointed in the end, yet her heart
+was so set on it that he did not have the heart to discourage her. "It
+may be he can. I have read of some wonderful cures he has made," he
+replied.
+
+"What do you think of the coming election?" she asked.
+
+"I think that the Klan is going to be an important factor. It will not
+have as much influence as it would have had if that Rastus Jones affair
+had not happened."
+
+"You think that negro affair is hurting the Klan's influence?"
+
+"I am sure it is. I heard a good man say the other day that he intended
+to vote for Dan Brown, the Klan candidate for sheriff, until this
+affair came up. I am convinced that Klansmen did not have anything to
+do with it, but it is hurting the Klan influence, nevertheless."
+
+"I am certainly sorry if it does hurt the Klan," she said, her
+conscience smiting her.
+
+"There is no question about it hurting; it has already hurt. You see
+there are so many who want to believe things of that kind about the
+Klan, and they use this episode to work on the fears of others."
+
+"Excuse me a moment, please." She left the room and soon called him to
+come into the dining room. "I ate a lunch very hurriedly tonight and
+am hungry; won't you eat a lunch with me?"
+
+"With the greatest of pleasure."
+
+They sat down to the table together, and while they ate Harold did most
+of the talking. Ruth's mind was preoccupied. When they had finished
+eating Ruth picked up the wish bone and held a prong of it toward
+Harold. "Let's wish," she said, "the one who gets the biggest piece
+wins, and gets his wish."
+
+"All right," he replied, taking hold of the prong.
+
+"I tell you, let's have it that the one who wins shall have his three
+best wishes."
+
+"Could one little chicken wishbone secure so much desire?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, if we both agree to it, it can."
+
+They both pulled and the bone broke close to his fingers. "There, I
+won. I'll get my wishes!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Tell me what you wished?"
+
+"Oh, no; they wouldn't come true if I were to tell."
+
+"Won't you ever tell me?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, when they come true."
+
+When he had told her good-night she called after him, "Good luck on the
+trip."
+
+His spirits were all together different when he entered his room for
+the second time that night. He set his alarm so that he might not miss
+the early train. Harold had a habit of reading something every night
+before retiring. He picked up a volume of "The Rhymes of Ironquill"
+and read a few short poems, selecting them at random. He turned to
+Ironquill's version of Aesop's Fables. He read "The Swell," Fable No. 9.
+
+ "On the walk a hat did lie,
+   And a gallus chap sailed by,
+ And he cut a lively swell--
+   He was clerk in a hotel."
+
+ "So, he gave that hat a kick,
+ And he came across a brick--
+   Now upon a crutch he goes,
+   Minus half a pound of toes."
+
+ Moral.
+
+ "When you see a person thrown
+   By misfortune or by vice,
+   Help him thrice or seven times thrice;
+ Help him up or let alone.
+   If you give the man a kick
+   You may stumble on a brick,
+     Or a stone.
+  Fate is liable to frown,
+ And the best of us go down;
+   And in just a little while
+   She is liable to smile.
+ And the bad luck and the vice
+ Seem to scatter in a trice,
+ And to hunt their holes like mice.
+   And the man you tried to kick
+   Now has changed into a brick."
+
+"I believe Fate is beginning to smile," he mused, "and here's hoping
+that the bad luck will scatter in a trice, and it may be that some of
+these fellows will find some day that the man they tried to kick has
+turned into a brick." With this pleasing thought on his mind he retired
+and was soon fast asleep.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVI
+
+
+She was a slip of a girl--not more than sixteen years of age. She had
+boarded the early morning train at a little station and took a seat on
+the east side of the coach where she sat looking at the first rays of
+approaching day, oblivious of the other passengers in the coach.
+
+A man of perhaps twenty-eight or thirty years walked through the coach
+several times looking attentively at the women passengers. He was well
+dressed and of medium size. The bill of his cap was pulled well down
+and shaded his weak eyes. There was a narrow, pinched look about his
+mouth and chin.
+
+After several trips up and down the aisles he stopped in front of the
+seat in which this young girl was seated and asked, "Miss, is this
+seat taken?" The girl turned her face suddenly from the window and
+hesitatingly replied, "No, it's not taken." The man sat down. He at
+once proceeded to engage the girl in conversation. At first she was
+very shy, but gradually her timidity wore off and she talked freely.
+
+She told him that she was an orphan, her mother having died when she
+was five years old. She had been raised by her grandmother in a little
+country town. Her grandmother had recently died and left her without
+any living relatives. She had worked for two weeks in the restaurant
+in the little town and had decided to go to the city to seek employment.
+
+"Do you know where you are going to work?" he asked.
+
+"No, I don't."
+
+"Have you any acquaintances in the city?"
+
+"No, I do not know anyone there. I am afraid I will feel pretty much
+alone."
+
+"A pretty girl like you ought not to be long in getting some friends."
+
+"I never was in a city and I am a little afraid."
+
+"I live in the capital city," said the man. "I am well acquainted
+there. I can help you get a job. Not long ago I helped a girl who was
+a stranger in the city get a good job. I landed it for her the next
+day after she arrived. She thinks I'm the 'hot stuff' and she's a cute
+little dear--just about your size but not so pretty as you are. Say,
+girlie, it's lucky you met me, for I can sure land you a good job."
+
+"Oh, thank you! I am so glad, for I have money to keep me but a short
+time without working."
+
+"Do you know where you are going to board?"
+
+"No, I want to get a good clean place that is not too expensive."
+
+"There is a good room vacant where I board. It's the best place in the
+city for the money."
+
+"How much is the board per week?"
+
+"Seven dollars a week for both room and board."
+
+"That's cheaper than I hoped to get it."
+
+"I tell you there is not another place like it in the city."
+
+"Is it a respectable place?" she asked.
+
+"Oh, yes; it's the finest kind of a place. The land-lady is very
+particular whom she takes in. I'll recommend you and you'll get in all
+right."
+
+She felt more comfortable now that she had found someone who was
+acquainted where she was going and would help her.
+
+He talked to her of the city and the things of interest. Especially
+did he dwell on the attractiveness of the cabarets and the public
+dance halls. After a half hour of this talk intended to inflame her
+imagination and stimulate a desire for the amusements of the city, he
+said, "Do you know I never before met a girl I thought so much of in
+so short a time. It's a case of love at first sight with me, dear." He
+took her hand in his. She drew it away gently.
+
+In the seat behind them was a young man who had heard the entire
+conversation. This young man was a very different type from the one in
+the seat in front of him with the girl. He was of a stronger build,
+his face more refined and intellectual. His eyes were not dull and
+lids drooping, as were the other's, but wide open and bright. This
+young man was clean of mind and attractive in appearance. He had one
+sister who was about the age of this girl when he last saw her. (That
+had been several years ago.) He remembered that his mother had said,
+"Son, remember to treat every girl like you would want your own sister
+treated." A man never gets entirely away from the influences of a
+Christian home and the teachings of a good mother. This young man had
+recently had another experience that had made a profound impression.
+He had taken a solemn and sacred obligation to protect pure womanhood.
+Kneeling beneath the star-lit heavens his life had been dedicated in
+prayer to the service of Christian civilization, and among the things
+enumerated to which he dedicated his life was the protection of women.
+
+Harold King, the Klansman, spoke, "Young lady, do you know this man?"
+The man in the seat with the girl turned and cast a side glance at
+Harold from under the bill of his cap.
+
+"No, sir," she answered.
+
+"Never saw him or heard of him until he sat down beside you?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Then my advice to you is to let him alone."
+
+"I'm jest wantin' to help the girl," the man in the seat with her
+drawled.
+
+"Young lady, my advice to you is that when you get to the union station
+you place yourself under the protection of the police woman and ask her
+to see that you get to the Y.W.C.A. headquarters. The secretary of the
+Y.W.C.A. will help you find a boarding place and secure employment."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+Harold leaned back in his seat and there was silence in the seat ahead.
+After a time the man with the girl whispered something to her that
+Harold could not hear, and got up and went into the smoker. The news
+agent came through the car calling the morning paper. Harold purchased
+one and was soon absorbed in its pages and thought no more of the girl
+and the man who had the looks and used the methods of the procurer.
+
+When the porter called the union station the girl was soon out of her
+seat and well down the aisle so that when Harold stood to leave the car
+there were several people between them.
+
+When Harold stepped off of the coach he saw the weak-eyed, pinched face
+man, who had been one of the first off the smoking car, approach the
+girl and offer to take her grip. She informed him that she could carry
+it, but he took hold of it and fairly pulled it away from her. With
+the other hand he took her by the arm as he said, "Come on, dear, you
+mustn't try to get out of here alone. I will take care of you." She
+pulled back and he was pleading with her to go with him when Harold
+interfered. "You let go of that girl and hand her back her grip at
+once," he demanded.
+
+The man dropped the girl's arm and faced Harold. "Is this any of your
+damn business?" he asked.
+
+"It certainly is, and my advice to you is to go while you are all
+together and have your freedom of action." Harold spoke in a voice that
+convinced the offender that he meant business. He glanced at Harold's
+athletic proportions, then turned and hurried down the gangway.
+
+Harold conducted the girl to the station police woman in whose charge
+he left her after being assured that the police woman would see that
+she had a safe escort to the Y.W.C.A.
+
+Harold found Mr. Welty an affable business man, and he had not
+conversed with him long until he had gained his confidence. Mr. Welty
+was pleased for the most part with the plans which Harold submitted,
+but asked that some changes be made. Harold went to his room at the
+hotel and went to work. The next day he had completed floor plan
+drawings according to Mr. Welty's directions. When he showed him the
+revised drawings, Mr. Welty was greatly pleased.
+
+"That's fine, Mr. King; there are just one or two minor changes to be
+made and you can do that when you get up the complete plans. Now if we
+can get together on terms we are ready to build a hotel."
+
+When Harold King boarded the train for home that night he was happy.
+He had landed a job that would pay him twelve thousand dollars, and on
+the trip had rendered protection to a friendless girl. He felt the joy
+that comes to one who has acted honorably from unselfish motives. The
+Klan motto, "Non Silba Sed Anthar" (Not for self but for others), was
+growing in its significance for him as mottoes and principles always
+grow as they are worked out in acts.
+
+When Harold got off of the train at Wilford Springs he met the Reverend
+Earl Benton. "Hello, Harold, how are you?"
+
+"How are you, Doctor? I am feeling fine. Just had some good luck."
+
+"Is that so? I am mighty glad to hear it."
+
+"Yes. I just landed a big job. I am going to do the architectural work
+for a big hotel in our capital city."
+
+"Fine, fine! Allow me to congratulate you." The minister wrung his hand
+earnestly. "Are you just returning from the city?"
+
+"Yes, I have been gone a couple of days."
+
+"Have you heard the news?"
+
+"What news?"
+
+"The facts about the mobbing of Rastus Jones."
+
+"No; what about it?"
+
+"It was nothing but a prank pulled off by a girl."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"The young lady made an affidavit stating that she was the perpetrator
+of the joke and published the affidavit in The Eagle."
+
+"Who was the young lady?"
+
+"Let's see. I don't recall her name just now. She works in the Wilford
+Springs Central State Bank."
+
+"It surely wasn't Miss Babcock?"
+
+"Yes, that's the girl--Ruth Babcock."
+
+Harold felt a dizzy sensation. Could it be possible that Ruth had been
+the one who had subjected the Klan to all this criticism. He couldn't
+believe it.
+
+"There must be some mistake," Harold ventured.
+
+"No, there's no mistake. It has made Springer the laughing stock of the
+town."
+
+"What do--the--the Klansmen think of Ruth, I mean Miss Babcock?"
+
+In this last question Harold revealed anxiety, and the minister's quick
+perception told him that there was an interest, other than his interest
+in the Klan, back of the question.
+
+"Oh, the boys think that it is great of her to have the courage to come
+out in the paper and put the Klan in the clear."
+
+"But what about her having pulled this stunt in the first place and
+thereby brought reproach on the Klan? Do they criticize her for that?"
+
+"No. Everybody knows that she did not do it for that purpose."
+
+"Where can we get a paper?" Harold asked.
+
+"There's a news stand in the middle of the next block."
+
+When they reached the news stand Harold asked for the Eagle of the
+previous day's issue. The news dealer informed him that he was sold
+out, that he could have sold twice as many Eagles of the issue asked
+for if he had had them.
+
+"Let's go into this jewelry store and see if they have one," said the
+minister.
+
+"Have you a last night's Eagle?" Harold asked.
+
+"I believe there is one around here some place," the jeweler replied.
+
+After a brief search he found it. The article read:
+
+ "A circumstance which occurred recently has been erroneously reported
+ by the press, and an organization which is in no sense responsible for
+ this incident has been blamed. Being in full possession of the facts
+ in the case and not wishing to injure a worthy organization or the
+ public, I feel it is my duty to tell under oath the facts concerning
+ the Rastus Jones affair which occurred on October 3, 1922."
+
+ Ruth Babcock.
+
+Then followed the oath:
+
+ "Ruth Babcock appeared before me, a notary public, and first being
+ duly sworn, deposes and says:
+
+ "On the night of October 3rd, 1922, I hid behind the elevator in the
+ Wilford State Bank for the purpose of frightening one Rastus Jones,
+ a negro. I was clad in my usual attire with the addition of a sheet
+ wrapped around me and a mask made of a pillow slip over my face.
+ When Rastus Jones came down the corridor and was near the elevator
+ I stepped in front of him and he uttered an exclamation and began
+ to back off. I followed him. I was not armed with a revolver or any
+ other weapon. I did point my finger at him under the sheet. I did not
+ threaten his life. I referred to some church trouble of which I had
+ heard him speak. I told him I would give him one more chance but did
+ not threaten to injure him in any way. I was entirely alone. My only
+ motive was amusement. No one but myself was directly or indirectly
+ responsible."
+
+ Ruth Babcock.
+
+ "Subscribed and sworn to before me, a notary public in and for the
+ County of Rush, this 12th day of October, 1922."
+
+ John P. Snider.
+
+ "My commission expires January 1st, 1924."
+
+When Harold had finished reading, Reverend Benton remarked, "That
+certainly puts the Klan in the clear."
+
+"I should say so," said the jeweler, "but it gives Springer a black eye
+as a news agent."
+
+"His report of this incident was just about as reliable as most of the
+news reports found in his paper," Harold remarked.
+
+Isaac Goldberg, whose place of business was next door to the jewelry
+store, had dropped in about the time Harold was through reading the
+affidavit. "I tell you vat I dink--the Klan or some von hired that girl
+to make the affidavit?"
+
+Harold whirled around and faced the Jew, his face flushed and an angry
+light flashed from his eyes. He felt a strong desire to knock him down,
+but he controlled himself, and looking the little Jew straight in the
+eye, said, "Goldberg, I know this girl, and there isn't any man or
+group of men who could bribe her to make an affidavit to an untruth,
+and I warn you that you better not make a statement of that kind in my
+presence again or where it reaches me."
+
+"Oh, of course I knows notings, notings at all about the young leddy. I
+shust think there is sometings wrong." The Jew gestured excitedly with
+both hands.
+
+"You are like a great many others who speak from prejudice and not from
+knowledge," said Harold.
+
+"No, no, no," said the Jew, "I have not prejudice." Turning to Reverend
+Benton, he said, "You are a Klansman. I shust like to ask you von
+question."
+
+"Very well. What is it?"
+
+"Vy have you this Klan that won't admit Jews?"
+
+"Before I answer that I want to ask you one. Why have you Jews the
+B'nai B'rith organization that does not admit Gentiles to membership?"
+
+"The B'nai B'rith is a strictly Jewish fraternity."
+
+"And the Ku Klux Klan is a strictly Gentile organization. It is
+necessary to be a native born American Gentile who believes in the
+tenets of the Christian religion to become a member of the Ku Klux
+Klan, just as it is necessary to be a Jew in order to join the B'nai
+B'rith, a Roman Catholic to join the Knights of Columbus, or a negro to
+join the African Brotherhood."
+
+"I must go back to mine store," said the Jew, and he hurried out.
+
+"Harold," said the minister, as they stepped out on the street,
+"this affidavit is going to be a great help to us in the approaching
+election. A lot of good people will have their suspicions removed by
+that affidavit."
+
+"There is no doubt of it," Harold replied. "I turn off here.
+Good-night, Doctor."
+
+"Good-night."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVII
+
+
+When the Reverend Benton crossed under a street light soon after saying
+good-night to Harold King a large car stopped, the driver opened the
+door and asked, "Reverend, are you going home?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Come and ride with me."
+
+"Thanks." The minister got in the car and seated himself beside Agnew.
+
+"It is a fine evening, Reverend."
+
+"Yes, the air is just cool enough to be bracing."
+
+"The autumns in this Western country are certainly fine. I believe they
+are the most delightful seasons of the year."
+
+"I quite agree with you."
+
+"It is not going to be long now until the election. There is certainly
+a great interest being taken. There is a great deal of speculation as
+to what the Klan influence will be. The Governor has come out strong
+against the Klan, condemning it as a lawless organization. While I
+am a Roman Catholic and naturally not a supporter of the Klan, I
+do not agree with the governor when he states that it is a lawless
+organization. I have for several years been reading of charges that
+the Klan had been guilty of mob violence and various outrages, but I
+have never seen where one of these charges has been substantiated.
+The Journal made a big to-do about this Rastus Jones affair, and now
+it turns out that it was only a prank played by a girl. One of my own
+girls might have done the same thing. I am now of the opinion that the
+Klan as an organization does not take the law into its own hands."
+
+"I am glad you have come to this reasonable conclusion, Mr. Agnew."
+
+"Reverend, I am trying to be fair. The good Book teaches that we should
+judge only as we expect to be judged, and, Reverend, I am trying to be
+careful of my judgments."
+
+"That's not only commendable but safe," the minister replied.
+
+"Some of our people condemn the Protestants for creating a secret
+organization that is exclusive, but I do not. We Catholics have our
+Knights of Columbus and I am willing that the Protestants should enjoy
+the same privilege, but I think the Klan has a mistaken view of the
+attitude of Roman Catholics on many questions."
+
+"Will you please cite an incident in which the organization is mistaken
+in this respect."
+
+"Well, in the matter of education. I have heard a number of lecturers
+for the Klan assert that the Catholic Church is unfriendly to education
+in general and antagonistic to the public school system in particular."
+
+"Isn't that true?"
+
+They had now reached the minister's residence. "If you are not in
+a hurry we will sit here in the car and discuss this question in a
+friendly way."
+
+"I will be only too pleased to do so, and if we cannot discuss our
+differences in the right spirit we had better not discuss them at all."
+
+"The history of the Catholic Church would lead us to the conclusion
+that it is not friendly to education. It has opposed scientific
+investigations and everywhere erected barriers to intellectual
+progress."
+
+"Reverend Benton, you have made an assertion, but assertions are not
+arguments."
+
+"I am aware of that. I simply wanted to make the general statement
+first and then give the facts. Copernicus, a German astronomer, lived
+from 1473 to 1543. He was a great student of the heavens and advanced
+the theory that the sun is the center of the solar system, reducing the
+earth to the position of a planet (Ptolemies and Brahe had placed the
+earth in the center of the universe) and declared that the earth and
+other planets revolved around the sun. The essential features of the
+Copernican theory are accepted at the present time."
+
+"Copernicus was not punished or in any way interfered with by the
+Catholic Church for advancing this theory, was he?"
+
+"No; he dedicated his book to the pope, and it is said that the first
+copy of the book in which he submitted his findings to the pope came
+from the printer the day that Copernicus died.
+
+"His proofs were not accepted by the church. Copernicus' theory was
+outlawed by the Jesuits.
+
+"Galileo, an Italian astronomer, who lived from 1564 to 1642, was
+an inventor as well as an astronomer. He invented the barometer,
+the thermometer, discovered the laws of the pendulum and hydraulic
+machines, the compass, the telescope and the microscope. Looking up at
+the skies Galileo discovered that the milky way is a host of stars.
+Looking at Jupiter, he saw that it was attended by small stars. He saw
+the rings of Saturn. In a book, 'A Message from the Skies,' he stated
+his discoveries, which substantiated the theory of Copernicus that the
+sun is the center of our planetary system, that the earth turns on its
+axis and revolves around the sun.
+
+"The Catholic Church taught that the earth was the center of the
+universe and that the sun and stars revolved around it. The church
+taught that the stars were in all probability spiritual lights. The
+church held that the scriptures taught these doctrines and that the
+popes alone had the right to say what the scriptures taught. Those who
+agreed with Galileo were declared to be heretics.
+
+"Galileo was summoned to appear before the grand inquisition in Rome
+and was advised, on the penalty of imprisonment, to assert that he did
+not believe in the Copernican doctrine and that he would abide by the
+teachings of the church. He promised to obey. Later he yielded to the
+urgings of the truth that was within him and published his ideas. He
+was again summoned by the inquisition to appear at Rome. On his knees
+he was forced to abjure the doctrine that the earth moves.
+
+"Bruno, an Italian philosopher, was burned at the stake at Rome by the
+Catholic church because his philosophy was declared by the church to be
+heresy."
+
+"Reverend Benton, that is all true, but that was many years ago.
+The Catholic Church has changed. It does not now teach that the sun
+revolves around the earth."
+
+"No, the Catholic Church does not teach that now, but it does teach
+that the pope is infallible in all matters of faith."
+
+"Yes, the pope is infallible in all matters of faith."
+
+"Then if a scientist makes a discovery that the pope thinks is in
+conflict with his interpretation of the scriptures, it would be the
+duty of the Catholic Church to oppose that scientific discovery and for
+any Catholic to believe it would be heresy."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Isn't that placing the human mind in chains?"
+
+"No, because the pope is infallible. His statement would be correct."
+
+"But popes who were thought to be infallible taught that the earth was
+the center of the universe and the stars were spiritual lights."
+
+"But, Reverend, that was long ago and the popes do not teach that now."
+
+"Then there have been popes who were not infallible or the popes now
+are not."
+
+"Your argument would make it appear so. While there may have been a
+time when the Catholic Church opposed scientific discoveries it is now
+highly in favor of education."
+
+"Mr. Agnew, what system of education does the Catholic Church favor?"
+
+"We support the public school."
+
+"I know you do in this country; you are taxed to support it."
+
+"I believe in the public school system. I educated my children in the
+public schools, and two of my daughters are teachers in the public
+schools."
+
+"I do not doubt that you do believe in the value of the public schools,
+and undoubtedly there are many other Catholics who think as you do, but
+what system of education does your church as a church encourage?"
+
+"The Catholic Church favors parochial schools."
+
+"Then if the Catholic Church could control America we would have
+parochial schools as the only means of promoting general education."
+
+"I don't think so--in America. I think the church would continue the
+public school here if she had the power to dictate the system of
+education in this country."
+
+"Would I be warranted in assuming that what the leaders of your church
+say is the policy of the church?"
+
+"Yes, if the leaders you refer to are officially recognized by the
+church."
+
+"Pope Pius IX said, 'Education outside the Catholic Church is damnable
+heresy.' Cardinal Gibbons refers to our system of public schools as 'A
+vicious system of education that undermines the religion of youth.'
+Cardinal McCrosky says, 'We must take part in the elections, move in
+solid masses in every state, against the party pledged to sustain the
+integrity of the public schools.' I do not think it's necessary to
+quote more of the statements of your leaders. Do you wonder that some
+of us believe that the public schools would not fare well in the hands
+of Catholics?"
+
+"Reverend Benton, I do not wonder at it. I think you have reasonable
+grounds for your suspicions, but what I think these men mean is that
+parochial schools under the supervision of the Catholic Church would be
+a better system. Personally, I do not agree with them."
+
+"Nor can any other man who knows the facts. In Italy, which has been
+the home of the Papacy since the fourth century, 37 per cent of the
+population is illiterate, and America, with her free public schools,
+has only 7.7 per cent. Spain, the most Catholic country in the world,
+has 58 per cent of her population illiterate, while Protestant England
+has only 1 per cent. These show a fair average of the difference of
+illiteracy in Catholic and Protestant countries."
+
+"I suppose these church leaders are thinking of the spiritual and
+character side rather than the intellectual."
+
+"Do you suppose the citizens of these Catholic countries, with their
+high per cent of illiteracy, are more kind, honest, industrious, and
+law-abiding than the people of the Protestant nations, where there is a
+lower per cent of illiteracy?"
+
+"No, I don't think they are. Understand, Reverend Benton, I am for the
+public school system."
+
+"I am sure you are, as you have always shown yourself to be a
+progressive citizen."
+
+"I thank you for the ride home," said the minister as he got out of the
+car.
+
+Agnew drove away thinking as he had never thought before.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVIII
+
+
+"Ruth, I am surprised at you! What did you mean by publishing that
+affidavit?" asked Stover the next morning after her affidavit appeared
+in the paper.
+
+"I meant just what my statement said," she replied.
+
+"Didn't you know that you were doing a very wrong thing?"
+
+"I just did it for fun. I did not think that it might injure the Ku
+Klux Klan."
+
+"I don't care how much it injured the Ku Klux Klan; it deserves all the
+criticism it gets. What I dislike about it is that it causes comment
+about one of my employees and subjects my friend Springer to ridicule."
+
+"Oh," she said, laughing, "I'm not shedding any tears over Springer.
+He should be a little more accurate in his reports. If he had reported
+the incident accurately and without prejudice he would not have been
+embarrassed by the exposure."
+
+"Don't let anything like that happen again around here."
+
+"I promise you I'll not."
+
+Rastus tried to avoid Ruth. Next to Springer he was the worst beat man
+in town. When he saw Ruth enter one door of the president's office he
+would go out the other door. If he was in the banking room near the
+part of the room where she entered he immediately had business over on
+the other side of the room. It was almost noon when she met him face
+to face in one of the doors. "How are you, Rastus?" she said and then
+added, "Haven't been visited by any more Kluxers, have you?"
+
+"No'em, I ain't. You all thought you had a good joke on me, but I ain't
+sech an ignoranimus as what you all might think. I spicioned all the
+time that it was you, Miss Babcock."
+
+"If you suspected all the time that it was I, why did you become so
+frightened?"
+
+"Me sca'ed! Well, I guess not. When you all stepped out from behind
+that elevator I says to myself that's Miss Babcock tryin' to play a
+joke on me and I says I'll have to hep her to have a little fun, so I
+jest 'tended like I'se sca'ed, jest to please you, Miss Ruth."
+
+"Is that so, Rastus?"
+
+"'Deed, it is. I'se a good spo't, I is."
+
+"I thank you very much for the pleasure afforded me," she said,
+laughing.
+
+"Yas, 'em, you's welcome, but I ain't gwine to give you sech pleasure
+no mo'."
+
+"That's all right, Rastus. I consider that you have made your full
+contribution."
+
+It was the middle of the afternoon. Ruth had not been busy for a
+half-hour. She had been reading a novel. It was a story of a girl
+who was about to marry a man who was in every respect a cultured
+gentleman--intelligent and refined in thought, dignified in manner,
+and of magnetic personality. A few weeks before the date set for the
+wedding the girl received a shock. She was informed that the man whom
+she was about to marry was one-sixteenth negro. She was furious and
+could scarcely restrain her hands from clutching the throat of her
+informant. "It's a lie, it's a lie!" she shouted. She was sure that the
+story had been invented by a jealous rival who wished to torment her.
+The next time she was with her lover she could not but think of this.
+She thought that she saw a slight olive tint to the skin, that there
+were dark circles at the base of his finger nails and that his nose was
+slightly flat and nostrils a little broad. Surely she imagined these
+things. She continued to worry until the man persuaded her to tell him
+the cause of her distress. The man admitted that it was the truth and
+offered to release her from the engagement. The author then shows a
+great conflict in the mind of the girl between social standards and
+love. In the end love triumphed and the girl married the man with the
+strain of colored blood in his veins.
+
+When Ruth reached this point in the story she threw the book violently
+on the floor and exclaimed, "Rot, rot, that makes me sick!"
+
+"That's treating the book rough." She turned and saw Pearl Gardner, one
+of the bookkeepers, standing in the door.
+
+"Come in, Pearl, and have a chair."
+
+"I wasn't busy and thought I would come in and see what you were doing.
+I arrived just in time to see the demonstration. I didn't know that you
+ever struck fire like that, ha, ha, ha."
+
+"Now, you quit laughing at me. I got so disgusted at that story."
+
+"What was it?"
+
+"A girl was in love with a man, and just before their marriage she
+learned that he was part negro."
+
+"Did she give him up?"
+
+"No, that's the disgusting part of it. She married him."
+
+"He must have been pretty white if she didn't know it."
+
+"He was only a sixteenth negro."
+
+"I don't blame her then if she loved him."
+
+"What! You don't mean to say that you would have had her marry a man
+with negro blood in his veins, do you?"
+
+"Why not, if she loved him? Isn't love the greatest thing in the world?"
+
+"Yes, love that is rightly directed, is the greatest thing in the
+world; but love that violates the great racial instincts, that runs
+counter to the experience of mankind, that does violence to the
+highest social standards--is love run wild and does not lead to the
+greatest good."
+
+"I don't see that it would do any harm if the man was so white that the
+girl did not know it when she fell in love with him."
+
+"It would violate the racial instincts within her as well as the
+social standards of the race. The white race, even if it desired to
+do so, could not absorb the negro race in the United States through
+intermarriage. There is an inevitable reversion to type. If you had
+a race seven-eighths white and one-eighth negro you would have a
+race that was essentially negro in its physical structure and racial
+tendencies."
+
+"Ruth, I believe you must be getting ready to become a lecturer on
+the race question. Of course, I don't believe intermarriage would be
+a good thing for the country, but I don't think we should try to keep
+the negro down. I heard my father say last night that one objection he
+had to the Ku Klux Klan is that one of its purposes is to oppress the
+negro."
+
+"The Klan advocates the supremacy of the white race. I do not
+understand that that means to oppress anyone that is a member of
+another race. I recently read a good article on 'The Necessity of
+Keeping the White Race Supreme in the Affairs of the World.' Anyone
+of average intelligence who would read that article would certainly
+believe that there is need of the white race presenting a solid
+front against the rising tide of the dark skinned races. This article
+stated that in insisting on the maintenance of white supremacy the
+Klan is insisting on the preservation and propagation of the ideals
+and institutions that experience has shown to be the best for the
+race. Democracy is born of the white race. It has found its greatest
+advocates among the Anglo-Saxon peoples. It has reached its greatest
+development in America. It was spread to Europe, dethroning kings, and
+is now making inroads into the caste system of Asia. The great mass of
+the dark skinned races are subservient to kings and emperors and are of
+such a temperament that autocratic governments have flourished among
+them, consequently we cannot trust our democratic institutions in their
+hands. He states that white men should rule in democracies because they
+have shown the greater capacity to govern themselves and establish
+democratic institutions. The American home is a home that is based on
+the love of one man for one woman and requires a freedom of choice in
+marriage which is seldom found among the dark races.
+
+"Christianity was born of the white race and promoted by them, and
+while it is destined to become universal, yet if the institutions which
+support it should be controlled by pagan people the source of the
+supply of missionaries and Christian teachings would be destroyed.
+
+"The white race has aims and ideals that are different from the
+other races, as we believe, superior; and when the Klan declares for
+white supremacy it declares for the preservation of those ideals and
+institutions that have been found the most helpful in the development
+of life. That these should survive will, in the end, prove advantageous
+to all races.
+
+"Pearl, he made plain to me that the Klan is not wanting to oppress
+inferior races but to help them to a higher development; but in order
+to do that the white race must protect itself. If I can find that
+article I would like to have you read it. I am not sure whether I kept
+the paper or not."
+
+"Don't go to any trouble to find it. I'm not much interested in such
+questions. I'd rather read a wild-west story or a good love story. Say,
+Ruth, what do you think! Last night I was out riding with Mr. Golter
+and he said that he had a letter from his sister that had just returned
+from New York, and she said that they are beginning to wear the skirts
+longer. Of course if they are wearing them longer in New York it will
+only be a short time until they wear them longer here."
+
+"I wouldn't object to their being a little longer, but I hope they
+won't go back to the long skirts that swept the streets," Ruth remarked.
+
+"I hope they won't get them down to the heels, but if it gets to be
+the style what can you do but wear them? One mustn't be out of style."
+
+"One does not need to wear the extreme styles in order to keep from
+looking odd. You see I do not wear them to my knees, neither do I
+intend to wear them sweeping the streets. I am going to dress, so far
+as possible, so that I will not appear odd nor be uncomfortable either
+in mind or body."
+
+"I don't agree with you. You'd just as well be dead as out of style.
+Say, girlie, I had some ride last night. We rode about fifty miles and
+did some real speeding. Mr. Golter's a real man and has a real car. You
+know he's been wanting to go with me for some time."
+
+"No, I did not know that," said Ruth.
+
+"Well, he has, but somehow I couldn't bring myself to believe that I
+wanted to go with him. Last night I consented and found him better
+company than I had expected. Today I had to go to his desk for some
+records while he was out of the room and I saw a letter which he was
+writing to his sister. I saw my name, and I didn't do a thing but look.
+Oh, boy, he was sure writing some nice things about me. I think that's
+a pretty good way to find out what a fellow thinks of you, don't you?"
+
+"You might find out that way if you were sure he hadn't left it there
+on purpose for you to see."
+
+"Oh, I'm sure he didn't intend for me to see it."
+
+Mr. Stover called Ruth to take dictation, and the conversation came to
+an abrupt close.
+
+That evening as Ruth was leaving the bank Golter stopped her and asked
+the privilege of taking her to dinner and to the opera. She made as
+polite an excuse as possible. While she was conversing with him, Pearl
+Gardner was watching them closely, endeavoring to catch every word.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIX
+
+
+When Ruth reached her home she found her father worrying a great deal
+because of his inability to remember past things. "Ruth," he said,
+"it's a shame that you have to work so hard to support Clara and me and
+I can't do anything to help, can't even remember who it was that stole
+my money."
+
+"Don't worry, daddy, I will soon have money enough to send you to Dr.
+Lilly--I have about an hour's work to do tonight, and you know that
+every cent I earn from this extra work goes into the fund to send you
+to the specialist."
+
+He placed his arm about her and she pillowed her head on his breast.
+"Ruth," he said, "you are one of the best daughters that ever lived,
+and your daddy appreciates what you are trying to do for him, but don't
+build on it too much, for the doctors here say there is no hope for me."
+
+"They don't know everything, and Dr. Lilly has made some wonderful
+cures. I can't help but believe that he can do something for you."
+
+Aunt Clara announced dinner, and they went into the dining room. "I am
+glad you are having dinner early, Aunt Clara," said Ruth.
+
+"Are you hungry, Ruth, or have you an engagement with that Mr. Golter?"
+her aunt asked.
+
+"I am not very hungry and I haven't a date with anybody, but I have
+some work to do."
+
+After the meal was over Ruth worked for an hour and a quarter. After
+her work was finished she went out alone for a walk. She had walked
+about half way to the business section when she was agreeably surprised
+to meet Harold.
+
+"Well, when did you get back?" she asked.
+
+"Just got in, and was coming out to call on you."
+
+"I was just taking a walk. Will you walk with me, or shall we return to
+the house?"
+
+"I would just as soon walk. I have been riding on the train so long
+that I need to stretch myself."
+
+"How was the luck?" she inquired.
+
+"The finest kind. I got the job, and now it's up to me to make good."
+
+"I am sure you will do that," she said.
+
+"Ruth, it helps a lot to have someone who has confidence in you.
+Especially when that someone is one in whom you are interested--someone
+whom you think of as a real friend."
+
+"I am glad on your account that you landed this big job, and I am
+pleased that you will show Mr. Stover and McBryan that you can succeed
+without any of their help and in spite of them."
+
+"Ruth, I received a shock when I got off the train tonight."
+
+"Did you touch a live wire?"
+
+"No, worse than that. I heard of your affidavit in the paper, and I
+couldn't believe it until I got the paper and read it."
+
+"You shouldn't be shocked at a little thing like that."
+
+"I was afraid that you would be subjected to adverse criticism and that
+Stover would make it unpleasant for you at the bank."
+
+"He wasn't any too well pleased. He wanted to know why I did it. I told
+him I did it for fun; that I had no intention of injuring the Klan. He
+said that he did not care how much it hurt the Klan."
+
+"Oh, he didn't! That shows a lack of principle at which I am not
+surprised."
+
+"Mr. Stover has been good to me and was always a good friend of
+father's, but he has certainly done and said some things of which I
+cannot approve. These things have caused me to lose confidence in him
+to some extent, but, Harold, I can't help but believe that he thought
+that the only chance to secure the city job for you was to induce
+you to give up the Klan and that he really believes that it is a bad
+organization."
+
+"I think you are mistaken. I am of the opinion that Stover is just what
+he showed himself to be in his attempt to bribe me to turn traitor to
+the Klan and in this statement he made to you--a crook."
+
+"I don't think that. But--well, I don't know just how to explain it."
+
+"What did he object to about the prank that you played on Rastus?"
+
+"He said that he did not like to have one of the bank's employees the
+subject of comment and his friend Springer subjected to ridicule."
+
+"He's very solicitous about Springer's feelings."
+
+"I told him that I was not going to shed any tears over Springer; that
+if he had given an accurate account of the incident without prejudice
+he would not have been caused any embarrassment by my affidavit.'"
+
+"Good for you! I hope he tells Springer what you said."
+
+"Mr. Stover told me not to do it again and I promised that I
+wouldn't--but, say, it was lots of fun."
+
+"Tell me about it."
+
+She gave him a full account of the escapade and of the negro's
+declaration that he was feigning fright to please her. They both
+enjoyed a good laugh.
+
+After a walk of half an hour or more they returned to the house and
+he requested her to play and sing. She went to the piano and ran her
+fingers lightly over the keys and then, turning to him, asked, "What do
+you prefer?"
+
+"Oh, you know that I like the old Southern melodies. These present-day
+songs have so little to them."
+
+She had a good soprano voice, and as she sang the songs of the
+Southland for him, he drifted out on the beautiful sea of finer
+sentiments. When she had finished singing he walked over to her and
+took one of her hands in his. "Ruth," he said, his voice vibrant with
+emotion, "I love you and if you can give me your love I will be the
+happiest man in the world."
+
+"Harold," she replied, "we have been such good friends that I am
+afraid that we may destroy that relation in a desire to establish a
+more satisfactory one. I have heard that friendship is above love. Our
+friendship has been such a beautiful thing that I would not want to mar
+it by----"
+
+"You don't believe that stuff even if such a noted philosopher as Plato
+did say it, do you Ruth? I know that it isn't true. My heart tells me
+it isn't true. You don't believe it, do you?"
+
+"Plato was a very wise man," she said, and then dropped her eyes. With
+the disengaged hand she began to toy with the lace on her dress.
+
+"Ruth, if you would only tell me that you love me I would be thoroughly
+happy." He spoke with great earnestness.
+
+"You should be very happy anyway. A young architect who has just landed
+a twelve thousand dollar job certainly should be happy."
+
+"I am delighted to have the job, but my heart craves a greater
+happiness. If you will only----"
+
+The door between the dining room and living room was thrown open and
+Aunt Clara entered. Harold dropped Ruth's hand and blushed profusely.
+
+"Good-evening. I hope you will pardon the intrusion. I have just been
+reading an article, and I wanted to ask Mr. King what he thought about
+it. It was on 'Intolerance in the United States.' The writer went on to
+say that the Ku Klux Klan is fighting religion. Don't you think it is
+terrible, Mr. King, that we have an organization in the United States
+that fights religion?"
+
+"That would be unfortunate if it were true. Did he state what religions
+the Klan is fighting?"
+
+"Yes, the Jewish religion and the Catholic."
+
+"I am sure the author of that article is wrong. There are a great many
+people who are making similar statements. No doubt some are misinformed
+but others desire to misrepresent the purposes of the Klan in order to
+impede its progress."
+
+"My Catholic neighbor gave me one of her papers to read the other
+day, and I am sure that the Catholics believe it is an intolerant
+organization."
+
+"I suspect that's because they can't join it, Aunt Clara," said Ruth.
+
+"The Klan is not anti-Catholic, anti-Jew, anti-negro, or anti-anything
+else. The Klan is pro-Christian, pro-public schools, pro-America. If
+the Catholics take offense because the Klan insists on the maintenance
+of our public schools, the separation of church and state, and
+allegiance to the United States over and above any foreign allegiance,
+then so far as I am concerned they will have to be offended. If the
+Jews construe the adherence to the principles of Christ as an attack
+on their religion and desire to suppress the organization that adheres
+to these principles, then it is plain to see that the Jews are most
+intolerant."
+
+Aunt Clara had made up her mind that the Klan was an undesirable
+organization, and when she had once made up her mind to anything, like
+many other folk, she was hard to change. "Members of the Klan wouldn't
+vote for Catholics for office, would they?" she asked.
+
+"It's the privilege of every American citizen to cast his ballot as he
+sees fit, and he should always vote for what he believes to be the best
+interests of the public. If a Klansman or any other citizen believes
+that a candidate for office would not stand for the best interests of
+our American institutions, what is his duty as a citizen?"
+
+"Why, to vote against him, to be sure."
+
+"If you vote against a Methodist, a Baptist or a Catholic in the
+next election because you believe that he is not in harmony with
+Americanism; that vote could not reasonably be construed as interfering
+with his freedom of worship, could it?"
+
+"Certainly not, but I think it's a bad thing to arouse so much bitter
+feeling."
+
+"It isn't pleasant to have bitter feelings aroused, but if standing for
+things that are essentially American incurs the enmity of groups of
+individuals we had best arouse such opposition and resist it. I am not
+in favor of 'peace at any price.'"
+
+"I was talking with Mr. Golter when he called for Ruth a short time
+ago, and he says that while the principles of the Klan sound well
+enough the character of the men who belong are such that it is the duty
+of all good citizens to oppose them."
+
+"The Klan requires that those who become members of the organization be
+of good moral character. Of course an organization whose members number
+three million will, in spite of all precaution, get some unworthy
+members. Whenever a member commits any serious offense he is expelled
+from the Klan. I am safe in saying that there is no other secret
+organization in the world with a better personnel of membership than
+the Klan. The membership is made up from all walks of life--laborers,
+farmers, doctors, ministers, judges, small business men and big
+business men."
+
+"If what you say is true, why all this opposition? We scarcely pick up
+a paper but there is something against the Klan."
+
+"Every great movement has had its opponents, Aunt Clara. You know the
+early Christians were persecuted, and the Masonic order in the early
+history of its growth met with just such opposition as the Klan is
+meeting now," remarked Ruth.
+
+"What you say is quite true," said Harold, "and the opposition to the
+Klan, in addition to the Catholics, Jews and negroes, consists of the
+law violators, denizens of the underworld, politicians, misinformed
+individuals and newspapers that are subsidized by some opposing factor
+or that are edited by politicians."
+
+"Well, the Klan may be all right, but I have my doubts." The Klan was
+now dropped and Harold hoped that the aunt would soon retire from the
+room, but she enjoyed conversing and brought up the subject of Coue's
+theory and discussed it at such length that Harold excused himself and
+went home. One statement made by Aunt Clara stuck in Harold's mind and
+kept him awake the greater part of the night. He tried to dismiss it,
+but the statement, "When Mr. Golter called for Ruth a short time ago,"
+would not down, but shouted itself in his ears whenever he tried to
+find sleep. The statement from the aunt, he was quite sure, explained
+why Ruth could be only a friend to him. This thought tormented him
+until the light of day broke in the east and Morpheus brought relief.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XX
+
+
+Stover called a caucus of the faithful. They met in the rear room at
+Hennesy's place. The curtains were drawn on the two windows next to the
+alley. Stover, Hennesy, Goldberg, McBryan and Springer were present.
+Stover was elected to act as president of the caucus. They did not
+intend to keep a record of their proceedings, consequently they did not
+need a secretary.
+
+"Hennesy," said McBryan, "since you are the host here, wouldn't it
+be in keeping with the rules of good society if you were to serve
+refreshments?"
+
+"You can have anything you want. Nothing would please me better than to
+'liquor up' my friends. What will you take?"
+
+"Whiskey for me," said McBryan. "I believe I'll take a leetle whiskey,
+too," Goldberg chimed in. Springer ordered beer. Stover remarked,
+"Boys, you know I never drink." Hennesy then stepped to the door
+connecting the bar room with the rear conference room. "Jim," he called
+to his porter, "bring two whiskeys and two bottles of beer."
+
+After the liquor had been consumed they were ready for business.
+
+"Boys," said Stover, "something must be done or we are going to lose
+this election."
+
+"Vat make you tink so?" asked Goldberg.
+
+"There is no getting around the fact that the Klan is strong in this
+county and section of the state. They have strong candidates. You stand
+out on the street any day and listen to the conversations on political
+matters, and about two out of every three men who express themselves
+are for the Klan candidates," Stover replied.
+
+"You are right," said McBryan. "I heard a bunch of fellows talking down
+at Zala the other day, and it's the same thing down there."
+
+"I thought you tell us in the Journal there was only a few Klansmen.
+Hey, Springer, vat you say?"
+
+"Goldberg, you don't suppose I would add to the influence of the Klan
+by telling the public through my paper that there are between eight
+hundred and a thousand Klansmen in Wilford Springs."
+
+"You have brains, Springer, almost brains; that would have been poor
+bezness, very poor bezness," exclaimed Goldberg.
+
+"There are a lot of people who want to be on the winning side, and if
+they thought that the Klan had any strength they would line up with
+them. Keep on telling the people that there are only a few of them
+here," remarked McBryan.
+
+"Stover," said Springer, "you want to see to it that the mayor doesn't
+allow the Klan to pull off a parade here. It makes too much of an
+impression on the public for a thousand of those masked devils to
+march through the streets," said Springer.
+
+"I'll 'tend to that," replied Stover, "don't you worry for a single
+minute about the Klan's having a parade or a public speaking within the
+city limits."
+
+"If those 'night gown boys' with the pillow slips over their heads get
+to parading here some of us had just as well shut up shop. A lot of
+our men are scared now. If you want to throw a scare into the average
+bootlegger all you have to do is mention Kluxers," Hennesy remarked.
+
+"Well, boys, now is the time to get rid of this foolishness, and if
+we whip these midnight riders right good in this election we will
+have gone a long way in checking them. On the other hand, if they
+succeed in electing a majority of their candidates they are going to be
+wonderfully strengthened, and it is liable to be very unpleasant for
+certain lines of business." As Stover delivered this speech he rubbed
+his hands together, as was his custom when anything of importance was
+being discussed.
+
+"Vat have you to suggest; vat will help mit the eleckshun?" Isaac
+Goldberg asked.
+
+"I believe it would be a good plan," said Springer, "if we would get
+Governor Slydell to make a speaking tour in this part of the state.
+While the Governor is not himself a candidate, he is backing Perdue
+strong for governor, and Perdue has announced that he will carry out
+Slydell's policies if elected."
+
+"I am of the opinion that your suggestion is a good one, Springer. Sam
+Slydell is a good campaigner, and he is strong against the Klan. He
+will do us some good if we can get him to make half a dozen speeches
+in this part of the state, but that isn't enough--we must do something
+more than that if we win," remarked McBryan.
+
+"Can't you get Father Rossini busy lining up all Catholic voters whom
+you cannot reach through the Knights of Columbus?" asked Stover.
+
+"Father Rossini is already busy," replied McBryan. "Last week
+the bishop called all the priests in this diocese together for a
+conference. Here are the candidates they endorsed." McBryan reached
+in his pocket and drew out a slip of paper. "Every one of them is
+anti-Klan and five of them are Catholics. Father Rossini says that all
+of the priests went home from the conference enthusiastic for these
+men. You can count on the solid support of all Catholics. What we do
+not get through the Knights of Columbus the priests will look after."
+
+"Goldberg, what plan have you for lining up the Jews?" Stover asked.
+
+"That's easy, easy, Mr. Stover--we have the B'nai B'rith organization.
+In twenty-four hours I gets in touch wid every Jew in the state. In
+forty-eight hours every Jew in the United States can be informed of
+any matters our great organization vish to put pefore them. I will see
+that every Jew in this congressional district receives instruction
+tomorrow. I tinks that you can't work any faster through your Knights
+of Columbus than that." He directed this last remark to McBryan.
+
+"That's all well enough," said McBryan, "but you must remember that
+this Ku Klux Klan is a powerful organization. It's an un-American
+organization purposing to control politics and keep Catholics and Jews
+out of office. I feel that we would be warranted in using extreme
+measures to defeat them."
+
+"Have you anything else to suggest?" Stover asked.
+
+"I think we should do something to cause the general public to turn
+against the Klan. The mayor of Freeburg is a Catholic. What would be
+the effect if between now and election a number of Kluxers would take
+him out and whip him?"
+
+"That would make bezness goot for our candidates," said Isaac.
+
+"What do you mean, McBryan?" asked Springer.
+
+"I mean--just suppose some Klansmen would take Mayor Krouse out and
+whip him, what would the public say?" asked McBryan.
+
+"The public would say that it was a damned outrage," said Springer.
+
+"Can it be arranged? Would Krouse stand for it?"
+
+"Of course he will. He is a Catholic and a fourth degree Knight of
+Columbus. I can arrange it with him all right," assured McBryan.
+
+"It will not be necessary to actually whip him," said Hennesy. "A few
+stripes made with a little paint across his back and a photograph made
+by Croskey and the witness of a few of the boys whom we can trust, is
+all that we need."
+
+"Fine! Hennesy, your head is working," said Springer.
+
+"That's a fine idea. Krouse being a foreigner and a Catholic, the
+public will never question that the Klan did it. Mac, you make the
+arrangements with Krouse. When this thing has been pulled off,
+Springer, you will have a chance to tell the public of the outrage. I
+will ask Governor Slydell to make a speaking trip through this part of
+the state. Hennesy, you must look after the dealers in 'wet goods.'" As
+Stover spoke his skinny hands were busy with each other and his most
+assuring smile played about his mouth.
+
+"I'll have no trouble with the liquor fraternity. They know that if the
+Klan candidates are elected their 'cake is dough,'" Hennesy remarked.
+
+Hennesy ordered whiskey and all but Stover drank to the success of the
+campaign, before separating.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXI
+
+
+Golter entered the banking room attired in a natty business suit. There
+was nothing unusual about Golter's being well dressed. He was always
+neatly attired. The unusual thing about Golter on this particular
+morning was that he carried a bouquet of rosebuds in his hand.
+
+Pearl Gardner did not see Golter when he entered the room, but was soon
+conscious of his presence. (Lately she was constantly conscious of his
+presence if he was anywhere around.) She looked up from her work and
+gave him one of her sweetest smiles. "Good morning, Mr. Golter."
+
+"Good morning, Miss Gardner," he responded.
+
+She was at once interested in the bouquet which he carried. Surely,
+she thought, he intends those rosebuds for me. I do not see why he
+doesn't give them to me at once. He placed the roses on his own desk.
+Perhaps, she thought, he is waiting until we are alone to give them to
+me. A number of times both the teller and cashier had stepped out, but
+the roses still remained on Golter's desk. When Pearl returned to work
+after the noon lunch they were gone. Later in the day she located them
+on Ruth's desk. During the rest of the afternoon things did not go well
+with her--she got her figures muddled and had to work an hour overtime
+that evening to get her books to balance. Before leaving the bank she
+stepped into the office of the president.
+
+"Mr. Stover," she began, "I have a matter I wish to speak to you about,
+that is, I feel that it is my duty to speak to you about it. I don't
+like to tattle on anyone, but there are some things that are of such
+importance to your employer that I think it is one's duty to tell, even
+though it exposes a fellow employee."
+
+"Certainly, Miss Pearl, certainly. If you are in possession of any
+information that your employer should have it is your duty to inform
+him. What is it?"
+
+"Did you know that you have an employee who is a Klan sympathizer?"
+
+"I did not. Who is it?"
+
+"Ruth Babcock."
+
+"Is that so! What does Ruth say about it?"
+
+"She has a lot to say in favor of the Klan. She makes a regular lecture
+on white supremacy. She's strong for the Kluxers."
+
+"Thank you, Pearl. I'll take care of Miss Babcock. No one can work in
+this bank and talk in favor of that bunch of outlaws."
+
+Pearl started to leave the room and then turned back. "Mr. Stover, I
+wish that you would not mention my name in connection with this."
+
+"No. I'll not say anything about where I got my information."
+
+When Stover entered the bank room after this information had been
+imparted to him he found his nephew, Chester Golter, preparing to leave.
+
+"Just a minute, Chester, before you go. I wish to speak to you."
+
+"All right, Uncle Jim."
+
+"I just heard that Ruth Babcock is talking in favor of the Klan. Have
+you ever heard her say anything that would indicate that she is a Klan
+supporter?"
+
+"Yes. I have. I heard her say that if she were a man she would be a
+Klansman."
+
+"Did she say that?"
+
+"She certainly did."
+
+"You know that I informed the men of this bank long ago that I would
+not retain in my employ any man who joined the Klan. Now, I will not
+retain a man or woman in my employ who talks in favor of the Klan or
+lends his influence to it in any way. Ruth will have the pleasure of
+looking for another job."
+
+"Uncle Jim, I don't believe that Ruth is to blame so much as is someone
+else."
+
+"Who?"
+
+"Harold King."
+
+"What has King to do with it?"
+
+"Ruth runs around a great deal with King, and you know that he is a
+Klansman."
+
+"Yes, and I know that he is an impudent puppy, too."
+
+"I am satisfied that Ruth is influenced by King. If she would quit
+associating with King I believe she would be all right."
+
+"I'll fix King. I have just been waiting for a chance to land on that
+young upstart."
+
+"I wouldn't like to see Ruth lose her job," Golter remarked.
+
+"I'll give her a chance."
+
+"Thank you, uncle."
+
+Ruth had scarcely removed her wraps the next morning when Stover called
+her into his office.
+
+"Ruth," he began, "I have tried to be a friend to you."
+
+"Yes, I think you have, Mr. Stover."
+
+"I wouldn't give you wrong advice any sooner than I would my own
+daughter, and what I shall say to you now is for your own good." He
+spoke in his most paternal voice.
+
+"I am always glad to receive good advice."
+
+"I thought you would be or I would have dismissed you without saying
+a word." (Ruth's eyes opened wide and the color left her cheeks.) "I
+thought you would be sensible." He laid his hand in a fatherly way on
+her shoulder. She shrank from his touch.
+
+"I have heard that you are talking in favor of the Klan?"
+
+"I have said some things in favor of the Klan."
+
+"And you know that I am unalterably opposed to these midnight riders."
+
+"I know you are opposed to the Klan."
+
+"And yet you talk in their favor?"
+
+"If I want to I do. This is a free country, and I, with the Klan,
+believe in the freedom of speech." She spoke with spirit.
+
+Matters were taking a turn that he had not anticipated. "Of course, of
+course you have a right to say what you please about this matter, but
+you understand that I have a right to employ whom I please."
+
+"Certainly, and if you do not want me in your employ I am ready to
+quit."
+
+"Now be reasonable, Ruth. You know that I am an old friend of your
+father and want to do the right thing by you. At the same time I do not
+want to injure my business. You see that I have a great many customers
+who are opposed to the Klan. If you are talking in the bank in support
+of the Klan you are liable to injure the bank's business."
+
+"I don't think I have been discussing the Klan in the bank. The only
+thing that I remember saying here was in a conversation with Pearl
+Gardner, in which I was telling her of an article that I read and
+indorsed that explained the Klan's position on the race question. If
+you do not want this question discussed in the bank I agree not to do
+so, but I reserve the right to discuss this question or any other when
+off duty and hold to whatever opinion I please."
+
+"I grant that you have that right, but it would be good policy for you
+to refrain from saying anything commendable of the Klan any place. You
+see I'm interested in you, Ruth. Now there is a more serious matter
+that it is my duty to speak to you of. I understand that you keep
+company with Harold King."
+
+"Yes. Mr. King is a friend of mine."
+
+"As I said to you a moment ago, I am going to advise you as I would my
+own daughter. You can't afford to receive attention from a man like
+King."
+
+Ruth was dumbfounded. For an instant she sat and stared at Stover. When
+she had partially recovered herself she asked, "What do you mean? What
+is wrong with Mr. King?"
+
+"Well, he is a young man of poor judgment. He has a habit of being
+insolent to men who are his superiors and who are in a position to help
+him and who would help him if he had sense enough to be courteous to
+them. (Stover was now rubbing his hands together.) King has no standing
+in the community. I wouldn't loan him a dollar. He has also branded
+himself by joining the Klan. Now I wouldn't think of allowing one of my
+own daughters to associate with King. If you retain your position in
+the bank it will be necessary for you to discontinue your relationship
+with this man."
+
+"Do I understand that I must quit going with Mr. King or give up my
+position in the bank?"
+
+"Yes, that's it. I am acting for your good. If I wasn't an old friend
+of the family I wouldn't give you this chance. I have always dismissed
+my employees at once when I discovered that they were keeping bad
+company."
+
+"Right here is where I quit," she said, her eyes flashing.
+
+"Now, Ruth, don't be foolish. You have your father to think of." She
+stood before him a type of noble womanhood. Her chest raised, her
+little hands clenched and thrown down and back of her body line, she
+looked Stover in the eyes and defied him.
+
+When she spoke her voice was full of resentment and determination, and
+her words were words of courage and loyalty:
+
+"I will take care of my father who, I am sure, would not want to have
+me stay here on the terms that you have named. As to Harold King--I
+wish to inform you that he is a gentleman of noble mind and heart. He
+refused to sell his honor to you, and you, whom I am now beginning
+to think have no honor, call him insolent. You say he has no credit
+with you, and I tell you he has a twelve thousand dollar job and needs
+none. You say he is branded as a Klansman. If he is a Klansman that
+is evidence that the organization is composed of good citizens, for
+Harold King would not belong to an organization that was not." She
+stepped into the stenographer's office and secured her coat and hat,
+and without waiting to put them on, walked out with her head held high.
+
+Ruth spent the rest of the day trying to find employment but was
+unsuccessful. It was a difficult thing for Ruth to inform her father
+that she was out of employment. He was worried, as she knew he would
+be, and she did her best to comfort him. "Don't worry, daddy; I'll soon
+find other employment."
+
+"I'm not worrying on my own account, but I am sorry, Ruth, to have you
+worried about getting a job. If I had the money that man took from my
+safe we wouldn't need to worry, or if my head would only get right so
+that I could work I wouldn't care so much about the loss of the money."
+
+When Ruth saw Harold she told him that Stover had discharged her or,
+rather, had asked her to consent to terms which she could not accept,
+if she remained. She told him that Stover objected to some remarks she
+had made favorable to the Klan. She did not tell him that Stover had
+demanded that she break off her associations with him.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXII
+
+
+"Paper. Morning paper! All about the whipping of the mayor of Freeburg,
+by members of the Ku Klux Klan," shouted the newsboys in the ears of
+the business men as they went to their offices and stores one morning
+in the latter part of October. The papers sold rapidly, and men
+devoured the account of the reported whipping with great avidity. All
+day men gathered in groups on the streets of Wilford Springs and Zala
+discussing the account of the alleged whipping of Mayor Krouse. Usually
+the first sentiment expressed by those not Klansmen was a condemnation
+of the Klan. However, on second thought, the more conservative began
+to question whether it was reasonable to suppose that the Klan had
+committed this crime on the eve of election. Perhaps it was a frame-up.
+Politically the Klan would have nothing to gain and everything to lose
+by its commission, they reasoned, while the opposition might believe
+that they could create in this way a stampede from Klan candidates.
+
+When the Wilford Springs Klan assembled it voted to offer a reward
+for evidence that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the
+parties who whipped the mayor. Judge Rider, the Exalted Cyclops,
+said: "Klansmen, the Klan is an organization which stands for law
+enforcement. It is opposed to all forms of lynchings. If it is found
+that members of this organization committed this offense against the
+peace of this man and the laws of the state they will be banished from
+this organization or I will withdraw at once."
+
+Governor Slydell made the speaking tour through the section of
+the state known as the stronghold of the Klan. He denounced that
+organization in scathing terms. The principal part of his speeches
+was devoted to a denunciation of the Klan and the remainder to
+extolling the virtues of Perdue. He would wave his arms frantically
+when denouncing the Klan, telling the audience that he would soon
+arrest Klan officers. He boastingly told how he had prevented the Klan
+from holding a parade in one town. He positively stated that the Klan
+had whipped Fritz Krouse, the mayor of Freeburg; that he had put his
+detectives on the job, and when sufficient evidence was secured the
+offenders would be severely punished.
+
+When the governor spoke at Wilford Springs he faced a large audience
+of representative citizens. The audience gave the best of attention
+during his introductory remarks and while he praised Perdue and told
+the people that if elected Perdue would carry out his policies. When he
+launched his tirade against the Klan, about two-thirds of the audience
+arose and quietly passed out.
+
+The general feeling was that the governor's speeches condemning the
+Klan as a lawless organization and not furnishing one fact to prove
+that the Klan had committed a single act of violence was making votes
+for Dawson, whom the Klan was supporting for governor.
+
+A few days before election a traveling salesman who had recently
+visited the towns in which the governor had made speeches was eating at
+the same table in a hotel with Frank Perdue, candidate for governor.
+
+"Perdue," said the traveling salesman, "do you expect to be elected
+governor?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I do," Perdue replied.
+
+"If you expect to be elected, in order that you will not be greatly
+disappointed, you had better take Governor Slydell by the nape of the
+neck and the seat of the trousers and pitch him into the river."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Every time the governor makes a speech he is making thousands of votes
+for Dawson."
+
+"I would rather the governor would not make speeches for me, but when
+Slydell wants to talk you can't stop him."
+
+Election day dawned bright and fair. There was an unusually heavy
+vote cast. When the polls were closed both parties were claiming the
+election. The following morning the administration papers conceded
+the election to Dawson by a plurality of 20,000 over Perdue, who had
+the support of the administration. Dawson was the only member of his
+party who was elected to a state office; thus the effect of Governor
+Slydell's speeches was shown. The candidate for Congress in the
+district in which Wilford Springs is located won by a large majority.
+All county officers endorsed by the Klan in Rush County were elected
+by overwhelming majorities. In analyzing the vote, Springer, in the
+Journal, stated that certain local matters had a big influence on the
+county and district election. He quoted Governor Slydell as saying that
+his attack on the Klan was not responsible for Perdue's defeat, but
+that the people were restless and desired a change.
+
+The evening after election Harold called Ruth over the 'phone. "Bring
+your father and aunt uptown about eight o'clock this evening," he said.
+
+"Why, what is going to happen?" she asked.
+
+"There is going to be an election jollification."
+
+There were no bills put out announcing the celebration, neither did
+the papers carry any notice, but about seven o'clock the streets were
+jammed with people. Every available parking space in the business
+section was occupied by a car. Everywhere there was an air of
+expectancy. No one could or would give any information as to why the
+great crowd had gathered. Such questions were common: "Why all this
+crowd?" "What's going to happen?" "Why are all these people coming to
+town?" Occasionally someone would state that he had heard that there
+was to be an election celebration. One old colored woman exclaimed,
+"Fo' de Lawd sake! Am all the peopel in de world a comin' to Wilford
+Springs?"
+
+At eight-fifteen, "There they come," "there they come," was passed
+along the front ranks of those who lined the street pavements. Around
+the corner at the intersection of Market and Broadway came a white
+robed figure carrying the stars and stripes. Just behind him came two
+others carrying a fiery cross. Behind these came others marching eight
+abreast--all wore white robes and were masked. There were thousands of
+them. There was no interference by the police. The first five hundred
+marched through the crowds on the street without any demonstration from
+the onlookers. Finally a banner carried by the marchers bearing the
+words, "The Klan Stands for 100 Per Cent Americanism," brought forth an
+applause from the crowd. Another banner which read, "Mr. Bootlegger,
+Your Days Are Numbered," was lustily cheered. A float representing a
+school house had a banner on each side with the inscription: "The Hope
+of America. We Want Protestant Teachers in Our Schools." This float was
+roundly cheered by the Protestants, who composed ninety per cent of the
+crowd. The banner which provoked the most mirth was the one carried at
+the rear of the procession. It read:
+
+ "Someone page Governor Slydell."
+
+ "Pat McBryan needs the smelling salts."
+
+The crowd went wild. Hennesy had stood in the door of his place of
+business and watched the entire parade. When the last of the white
+robed marchers had passed he took out his handkerchief and wiped the
+cold sweat from his face. Two negroes who had watched the parade from
+the alley walked farther down the alley from the lights and engaged
+in earnest conversation. They were bootleggers and for years had been
+doing a thriving business, carrying their goods on their hips. "Mose,"
+said Pete, "what you all think of these damn Kluxers?"
+
+"Pete," replied Mose, in a suppressed tone, "you's mighty ca'less of
+that isthmus of youse."
+
+"Niggah, what youse mean by 'isthmus'?"
+
+"Ma go'graphy sa'd that an isthmus is a narrow neck connectin' two
+la'ger bodies."
+
+"Well, what you mean 'bout me bein' ca'less of my isthmus?"
+
+"I means dat youse stands a mighty good chance of gettin youah isthmus
+stretched when youse refers to dem gente'mens as 'damn Kluxers.' When I
+speaks of dem gente'mens I's gwine to say Mistah Kluxers. You get me,
+Pete?"
+
+"Yes, I duz, and I 'spects it's goin' to be pow'ful unhealthy round
+heah for gente'men of ouah profession. If them damn--I means 'Mistah'
+Kluxers would jest take them masks off we'd know who to keep away
+from."
+
+"Youse right, Pete. The legislater an govenah shuah ought to make 'em
+take them masks off, and then we'd know who to stay way from when we's
+transactin' ouah bizness."
+
+"Youse right, but Govenah Slydell's man wa'n't elected, so we can't
+count on that."
+
+"Well, Pete, what's you gwine to do?"
+
+"What's I gwine to do? Well, suh, I'se gwine to leave on that twelve
+o'clock train tonight."
+
+"And I'se gwine with you less--less----"
+
+"Less what?"
+
+"Less thar's a train goin' fo' that time."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXIII
+
+
+Ruth watched the want ads in the papers and made many inquiries in her
+effort to secure employment. It was now three weeks since she had quit
+her job at the bank, and she had not as yet secured a position. She
+did all the public stenographic work she could secure but was unable
+in this way to earn enough to provide for the current expenses of the
+family. She was forced to draw on the special fund that she had been
+so carefully guarding in the hopes that her father might become a well
+man. Now she was forced to use some of this money--they must have fuel
+and provisions. Every time she took a dollar from this her heart ached,
+because she felt she was giving up her father's chance to regain his
+health.
+
+Ruth, who was naturally optimistic, at times became quite despondent.
+She frequently cried herself to sleep. Harold King was now prospering
+in his profession. He had, since securing the big job at the
+capital, secured two other jobs in Wilford Springs. He now employed
+a draughtsman in the office. He offered Ruth a position as his
+stenographer. She knew that he did not need a stenographer and declined.
+
+One day Ruth saw an ad in the paper asking for a stenographer. The ad
+had been inserted by the R.G. Wing Mortgage Company. She lost no time
+in going to their office.
+
+She found Mr. Wing a very pleasant appearing man.
+
+When he entered the room where she was waiting she introduced herself
+and made the object of her visit known.
+
+He was in need of a stenographer. Had she had experience? She informed
+him that she had. When he asked where she had formerly worked she
+hesitated slightly before telling him that she had worked for the
+Central State Bank of Wilford Springs. He dictated a letter and had her
+transcribe it on the typewriter. He was well pleased with the test. It
+was entirely satisfactory.
+
+"Would you be satisfied with a salary of one hundred twenty-five
+dollars per month to start with?" Mr. Wing asked.
+
+"Yes. That would be all right."
+
+"I will let you know tomorrow. I think I shall want you."
+
+Ruth left with a lighter heart than she had carried since she had lost
+her place at the bank.
+
+That afternoon Mr. Wing was transacting some business at the Central
+State Bank. "Stover, you had a stenographer here by the name of Ruth
+Babcock?"
+
+"Yes, she was my former stenographer."
+
+"Is she competent?"
+
+"Yes. She's a good stenographer so far as her ability is concerned."
+
+"Why did she quit you?"
+
+"I discharged her."
+
+"What's wrong with her?"
+
+"Ruth is all right so far as doing the work is concerned, but she would
+get out and run around with a disreputable young fellow. I gave her a
+chance to quit going with him and retain her job, but she refused to
+stay away from him. While I would like to have helped her I could not
+afford to keep a girl in the bank who was keeping questionable company,
+especially when she absolutely refused to promise to quit him."
+
+"Well, I'm glad you told me that. I do not want a girl whose reputation
+is bad or who is conducting herself in a way that it is likely to
+become bad."
+
+The following morning when Ruth received the mail her eye at once
+caught the R.G. Wing Mortgage Company in the upper left hand corner of
+one of the letters. Eagerly she tore it open. Disappointment, black
+and hideous, rose from the ruins of a shattered hope and obscured the
+sunlight with a cloud of despair. How could she ever stand so much ill
+fortune! She was almost driven to desperation. The note read:
+
+ "Dear Miss Babcock:
+
+ "I regret to inform you that I cannot use you as stenographer.
+
+ "Yours truly,
+ "R.G. Wing."
+
+Ruth rushed to her room and her tense and overwrought nervous system
+found relief in tears--nature's safety valve.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Charles Wilson went to the office of R.G. Wing Mortgage Company for the
+purpose of securing a mortgage for one of his clients.
+
+"How are you, Mr. Wing. How is business?"
+
+"I am very well, Mr. Wilson, but I am away behind with my work. My
+stenographer quit a week ago and the work has been piling up ever
+since, waiting for her successor, whom I have not yet been able
+to find. I thought the other day that I had found a peach of a
+stenographer, but later I learned that she isn't just what she should
+be."
+
+"Character bad?" queried Wilson.
+
+"If it isn't bad she seems to be doing all she can to make it bad. I
+understand that she keeps bad company."
+
+"Who is the girl?"
+
+"Her name is Babcock. She used to be the stenographer at the Wilford
+Springs Central State Bank."
+
+"I had her do some work for me once when my stenographer was gone and
+she did good work."
+
+"I'm satisfied that she can do the work all right, but you see I can't
+afford to have a girl in my office whose reputation is bad or whose
+associations are questionable."
+
+"I hadn't heard anything wrong about the girl. Are you sure that there
+isn't some mistake about this?"
+
+"I got it straight. Stover told me himself."
+
+"Did he tell you who her evil associates are?"
+
+"No. I didn't ask him. He said a disreputable fellow."
+
+When Wilson returned to his own office he rang Central.
+
+"684," he called.
+
+"Hello, is this Harold?
+
+"Can you come over to my office for a few minutes?
+
+"Yes. It's important."
+
+In a few minutes Harold King arrived.
+
+"Haven't got a thousand dollar check for me?" he asked as he came in.
+
+"I am sorry to say I haven't, but I heard something a little while ago
+that I thought you should know. I was over at the office of the Wing
+Mortgage Company and Wing told me that his stenographer has left him
+and he is having trouble finding another."
+
+"I'll tell Miss Babcock."
+
+"She has already applied, but someone has been doing some knocking."
+
+"If anybody has been knocking on Ruth it is that whelp of a Stover."
+
+"Evidently you are not in love with Stover," Wilson commented.
+
+"Could you love a rattle snake?" Harold asked.
+
+"I didn't call you over here to discuss Stover. I called you to tell
+you what is between Miss Babcock and the job."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"You."
+
+"Me? What do you mean?"
+
+"Wing has heard that she is keeping company with a disreputable fellow.
+You are the fellow, aren't you?"
+
+"Yes," answered Harold as he started for the door.
+
+"Wait a minute. Where are you going?"
+
+"I'm going down to 'mop up' on Stover."
+
+"Just hold on a little bit. I haven't told you that it was Stover who
+told Wing."
+
+"It was Stover, all right. I recognize his hand."
+
+"Very well, it was Stover; but he did not say it was you."
+
+"He meant me, all right."
+
+"Maybe this girl has been keeping company with some other fellow."
+
+"I am the only man she has kept company with since she came to Wilford
+Springs except she has been with Golter, Stover's nephew, a few times."
+
+"You'd better make sure of that."
+
+Harold picked up the 'phone and placed the receiver to his ear. Central
+did not answer promptly and he rang impatiently.
+
+When he at last got Ruth on the line he said, "Ruth, this is Harold.
+I want to ask you some very personal questions. I am sure you will
+understand that I have some good reasons for asking or I would not do
+so."
+
+"All right, Harold, if you do not ask my age, I probably will be
+willing to answer," she replied.
+
+"How many times have you gone with Chester Golter?"
+
+"Oh, I suppose about a thousand." Then came a rippling wave of laughter
+over the wire.
+
+"Ruth, I am not joking, I really want to know."
+
+"Maybe Golter would like to know how many times I have been with you."
+
+"I have a good reason for asking. It's to your interest to answer me
+seriously."
+
+"Well, if I must be serious and confess to my father confessor, it was
+five times."
+
+"Have you since coming to Wilford Springs ever gone with anybody else?"
+
+"No other young man."
+
+"That's what I mean. Girls don't count."
+
+"Oh, thank you for the information that girls don't count," she said
+with a tone of injured pride.
+
+"Then Golter is the only man you have kept company with in Wilford
+Springs besides myself and you were with him only five times?"
+
+"Yes, that is true, but why do you ask?"
+
+"I have a good reason for wanting to know. I will tell you all about it
+later."
+
+He hung up the receiver without the customary "good-bye" and rushed
+from the room with Wilson shouting after him, "Be careful what you say
+and do."
+
+Harold lost no time in getting down to the Central State Bank. Stover
+was in the banking room when Harold entered. Harold informed the
+cashier that he wished to speak to Stover. The cashier called Stover,
+who came to the cashier's window. "Stover," said Harold, "I want to
+talk to you in private, and I want to talk to you right now." There was
+no mistaking the anger and determination in his voice.
+
+"This is private enough if you speak low," said Stover, as he put his
+face close to the bars that protected the window.
+
+"All right, if it's private enough for you it is for me. What I want
+to know is what you mean by telling Wing that Miss Babcock keeps bad
+company?"
+
+"Well, young man, I don't know that this is any of your business, but
+if you would like to know I will tell you that I meant exactly what I
+said. I discharged her from my employ for that reason."
+
+"Stover, do you mean to call me disreputable?"
+
+"I didn't say anything about you to Wing."
+
+"You said that she associated with a disreputable young man. You didn't
+mean Golter, did you?"
+
+"No, sir; I didn't."
+
+"Then you must have meant me, because Golter and myself are the only
+young men Miss Babcock has kept company with in this town."
+
+"Well, King, I did object to this girl working for me and continuing to
+keep company with you."
+
+"What are your objections to me?"
+
+"Well, you're not my kind."
+
+"Thank God for that."
+
+"You belong to the Ku Klux Klan and that's sufficient to condemn you. I
+won't stand for an employee of mine associating with one who belongs to
+those cowardly midnight riders who hide behind a mask."
+
+"Stover, I dare you to come out from behind those bars and say that."
+
+"I don't have to come out."
+
+"No, you are too cowardly. You talk about men hiding behind masks
+and you hide behind iron bars when your opponent stands before you
+unmasked. You dirty cur, how can you have the face to talk about
+cowards and at the same time try to whip me over the shoulders of a
+defenseless girl?"
+
+"I'll not talk to you any longer; my time is valuable." He turned away
+from the window as Harold said, "Stover, I warn you from now on to keep
+your dirty tongue off Ruth Babcock." Without replying, Stover went into
+his private office and closed and bolted the door after him.
+
+Harold went directly from the bank to the office of R.G. Wing. He found
+Mr. Wing alone in his office. "Come in, King, and have a chair," said
+Wing when he saw Harold in the door.
+
+"Mr. Wing, I just learned this morning that a Miss Babcock, who was
+formerly employed at the Central State Bank, has made application to
+you for employment."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I also heard that Stover told you that she associates with a
+disreputable young man."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I'm that disreputable young man."
+
+"You? What are you talking about, Harold? Have you suddenly lost your
+mind?" King and Wing were well acquainted with each other. They were
+both members of the Klan, and of the Masonic Order. They both attended
+the big Bible School class taught every Sunday by Judge Rider. Wing had
+often referred to Harold as one of the finest, clean-cut fellows in the
+city. "What kind of a joke are you trying to pull on me, Harold?" he
+asked.
+
+"None whatever. Stover meant me."
+
+"He didn't say you."
+
+"No, but this young lady, who is as good as gold, has not kept company
+with any young man in Wilford Springs except myself and a few times
+with Golter, who is Stover's nephew. There isn't the slightest doubt
+but that he meant me. In fact he practically admitted it to me."
+
+"Well, what is the matter between you and Stover?"
+
+Harold told Wing of his trouble with Stover, beginning back with his
+application for the position of architect for the city building. He
+went fully into detail. When he had finished Wing brought his fist down
+on the table. "I'd like to thrash him, the dirty hound."
+
+"He would have got the thrashing, all right, if he had stuck his head
+out from behind those bars," said Harold.
+
+"I don't doubt it and he certainly richly deserves it."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was the middle of the afternoon. Ruth's mind had been greatly
+perturbed since the mail had brought her the disappointing letter.
+Since Harold had called, her disappointment vied with curiosity for the
+mastery.
+
+"Ruth, you are wanted at the 'phone," said Aunt Clara.
+
+"Oh, dear, I wish they wouldn't bother me when I feel so bad."
+
+"Hello!"
+
+"Is this Miss Ruth Babcock?" It was a man's voice.
+
+"Yes. This is she."
+
+"This is R.G. Wing speaking. If you have not yet accepted a position
+you can come to work for me in the morning. I have changed my mind
+since writing you."
+
+"Thank you, I will be on hand in the morning."
+
+Ruth's heart leaped for joy. The clouds of gloom were dispelled. The
+remainder of the afternoon the tasks she performed about the house
+seemed light. Frequently she hummed some joyous air.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXIV
+
+
+The night following the election jollification the Stover-McBryan
+machine gang met in their consultation room where they were in close
+touch with Hennesy's beverages and where they had the greatest secrecy.
+In addition to Stover, McBryan, Hennesy, Goldberg and Springer,
+McMichael, an attorney and special political advisor of McBryan, was
+present.
+
+"What's to be done now? What's the next move?" asked Springer.
+
+"About what?" asked Hennesy.
+
+"About the election and the Klan," Springer explained.
+
+"Well, the Klan won the election and it looks to me like my next move
+had better be to some locality where the night gown devils have not yet
+made their appearance."
+
+"What's the matter, Hennesy? Gettin' cold feet?" asked Stover.
+
+"Well, prospects here in Wilford Springs are not looking any too
+bright, I'm frank to admit," Hennesy replied.
+
+"Don't give up and quit the game. Stay with us and we'll whip them
+yet," McBryan assured him.
+
+"Well, I've a good business here, as you all know, and am perfectly
+willing to stay if there is any chance to win; but with Dan Brown, a
+Klansman, elected sheriff, and C.M. Stanton, another Klansman, elected
+county attorney, it looks mighty bad for my line of business."
+
+"We'll drive the Klan out of business, and when the sheriff and
+attorney find themselves without the support of hundreds of Klansmen
+whom they are expecting to back them when they take office, they will
+become tame enough."
+
+"But how are you going to destroy the Klan? It's growing stronger every
+day," said Stover. "I don't see why people are such fools," he added.
+
+"I had a little talk with our friend here, Mike McMichael, and he has a
+plan that I think will be a winner if it is carried out. I asked Mike
+to come down tonight and explain it to you," said McBryan.
+
+McMichael rose, spread his legs apart, and clasped his hands behind
+him. (A favorite position when addressing a jury.) "Gentlemen," he
+began, "the situation is serious. Something needs to be done and done
+quickly. You boys laid a plan and executed it in an effort to carry the
+election. The plan seemed feasible enough, but it did not work. It was
+bungled in several particulars. I am attorney for Krouse in the damage
+suit in which he is suing the county for permitting mob violence, and
+it's doubtful if you fellows have furnished enough evidence to make it
+stick. It was a mistake to paint his back instead of whipping him. A
+light whipping wouldn't have hurt that husky Dutchman. At any rate, he
+should have been willing to submit to a mild whipping for the good of
+the cause."
+
+"I think he would have submitted to it if we had asked it, but we were
+of the opinion that painted stripes would do just as well," McBryan,
+interrupting him, explained.
+
+"Yes, and there's where you 'pulled a bone-head.' If the stripes on
+his back had been actual bruises you could have called in men who are
+not in our gang to see them who would have served as witnesses; as it
+is, we are going to have a hard time to convince a jury that he was
+actually whipped, unless we are very successful in selecting a jury.
+
+"Now whatever is done from now on must be more regular. Mr. McBryan
+referred to a conversation we had in which I suggested a plan to
+eliminate the Klan.
+
+"What I propose is this: The governor has an opportunity to do
+something before the close of his term. We will get him to start a suit
+to oust the Klan from the state. This can be done on the grounds that
+the organization is inimical to the peace and safety of the state,
+or that it is an organization doing business in the state for profit
+without a charter. We will have the governor and attorney-general
+hold inquisitions in those localities in the state where the Klan is
+strongest. These inquisitions will not only serve to get evidence of
+use in the ouster suit but will be the means of exposing some of the
+fellows who are hiding behind a mask and wielding a powerful influence."
+
+"Like Judge Rider and Harold King," said Stover.
+
+"Exactly so," continued McMichael. "I want to see them give this young
+Judge the third degree."
+
+"That sounds goot, very goot, but suppose the governor won't act. Vat
+den?" Goldberg asked.
+
+"He'll act, all right, if it is put up to him strong. He wants to run
+for senator, and he knows that he won't stand a ghost of a show unless
+the Klan is gotten rid of."
+
+"What do you think of this idea, Stover?" Springer asked.
+
+The banker rubbed his skinny hands together for a moment before
+replying.
+
+"I think it would be worth the effort just to expose Judge Rider and
+that young upstart, Harold King. If the ouster suit does not come
+to trial soon it will have a good effect on the public while it is
+pending. There are a lot of folks who won't have anything to do with an
+organization which is being sued."
+
+"I suggest that Stover and McMichael act as a committee to go to the
+capital and lay this plan before Governor Slydell." This suggestion
+from Hennesy met with unanimous approval.
+
+"And tell 'em to get beezy to vonce," said Goldberg, "for ve have no
+need of Kluxers, the B'nai B'rith and Knights of Columbus can take
+care of everytings. Ain't that right, McBryan?"
+
+"Sure, it is right," affirmed the Irish politician.
+
+McMichael and Stover left on the early morning train for the capital
+city.
+
+Governor Slydell, smarting under the defeat of his candidate for
+governor, was only too glad to act on the suggestion of Stover and
+McMichael. An ouster suit was filed in the Supreme Court and an
+inquisition, the first of a series, was arranged to be held in Wilford
+Springs the following week.
+
+When the day for the inquisition at Wilford Springs came, a large crowd
+packed the court room. The interest was like to that of the old Roman
+populace when they assembled at the arena to witness the throwing of
+some Christian or enemy of Caesar to the wild beasts. On this occasion
+there were those present who hoped to see some prominent Klansman
+devoured.
+
+Judge Rider was the first witness called. The examination was conducted
+by the attorney-general, who was assisted by the governor.
+
+"You may state your name," directed the attorney.
+
+"Clarence C. Rider."
+
+"What is your vocation?"
+
+"Attorney-at-law. At present I am judge of the district court."
+
+"Are you a member of the Ku Klux Klan?" There was a death-like
+stillness in the room as the eager listeners waited for the judge's
+reply.
+
+"Yes, I am," came his reply in a firm voice. There was applause from
+the Klan supporters, and the attorney rapped for order.
+
+"Do you hold any official position in the Klan?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You may state what that position is."
+
+"I am the Exalted Cyclops of Wilford Springs Klan."
+
+"How many Klansmen belong to the Wilford Springs Klan?"
+
+"Thirteen hundred fifty."
+
+"Thirteen hundred fifty! No wonder this county turned up a big majority
+against Perdue!" the governor exclaimed. Uproarious laughter greeted
+this outburst of Governor Slydell. The attorney-general again pounded
+for silence.
+
+"Is not this organization of which you have testified that you are the
+head given to acts of lawlessness?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Isn't one of its purposes to take the law into its own hands?"
+
+"No, sir; just the opposite is true. One of its aims is to prevent
+lynchings, whippings, tar and feather parties and all such unlawful
+acts."
+
+"You know that members have committed acts of violence."
+
+"I know nothing of the kind."
+
+"The members of the Klan wear masks."
+
+"Klansmen are permitted to wear masks only in ritualistic work and with
+the consent of the Grand Dragon or Imperial Wizard when on peaceful
+parades or when doing acts of charity."
+
+"Won't the wearing of masks, even in this way, encourage the wearing of
+masks by either members or non-members when wishing to commit crimes?"
+
+"I don't think so. Masks have been worn by men in the commission of
+crimes ever since there was a law."
+
+"I would like to ask the Judge a few questions," said Governor Slydell.
+
+"All right, governor. I'll turn the witness over to you," the
+attorney-general replied.
+
+"Judge, you know that the mayor of Freeburg was whipped by masked men,
+don't you?"
+
+"No, I do not. I know that the Journal stated he was whipped. Do you
+know that he was whipped by masked men, governor?"
+
+"Yes," the governor answered.
+
+"How do you know it?"
+
+"By the evidence of Mayor Krouse himself and such honorable and
+credible witnesses as Pat McBryan, Springer and McMichael."
+
+"Governor, do you know who did it?"
+
+"No, or I would prosecute them."
+
+"After you had had special detectives in Freeburg for three weeks and
+they had given up their investigations you made a speech in another
+state in which you said that the Klan did it."
+
+"I believe yet the Klan did it."
+
+"Yet you have no evidence on which to make arrests."
+
+"No."
+
+"Governor, did your detectives report to you that they could not secure
+any evidence or did they report that the whole affair was a frame-up?"
+
+"I'm not on the witness stand," said the governor, coloring. The court
+room roared with laughter.
+
+The attorney again pounded the table and announced, "If there is any
+more laughter or applause I will have the sheriff clear the room."
+
+"What is the necessity for the members of the Klan concealing their
+identity?" the governor asked, now becoming the questioner again.
+
+"In order that they may secure evidence to furnish the officers and
+thus assist in the enforcement of law. They have the same reason for
+concealing their identity that the secret service men of the United
+States have."
+
+"Who asked the Klansmen to become secret service men?"
+
+"It's the duty of every citizen to help enforce the laws. And he should
+use the method that will make him most efficient."
+
+"Doesn't the Klan arouse race and religious hatred?"
+
+"Certainly not, purposely."
+
+"Does not the very fact that Catholics, Jews and Negroes cannot become
+members arouse racial and religious prejudices?"
+
+"It should not any more than it ought to arouse religious and racial
+antipathies for the Knights of Columbus, the B'nai B'rith and the
+African Brotherhood to refuse to admit white Protestant Gentiles to
+their organization. I have never heard that those who were excluded
+from these organizations ever objected."
+
+"Judge, isn't religious toleration one of the principles on which this
+government is based?"
+
+"Yes, it is. The Klan believes in toleration. We believe that
+Catholics, Protestants and Jews have a right to worship God as they
+please; that the Catholics have a right to have the Knights of
+Columbus; the Jews the B'nai B'rith, and the Protestants the Ku Klux
+Klan."
+
+"The Klan advocates the further restriction of immigration, does it
+not?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Does that not antagonize other races and nationalities? Were not our
+forefathers foreigners?"
+
+"The Klan insists on further restriction of immigration in order to
+protect our American institutions, and not to arouse the opposition
+of other peoples. In America we have today twelve million of voting
+age who are foreign born. They came to America with different ideals
+and standards of living than ours. In the last one hundred years
+thirty-four million foreigners came to America. Many of them settled
+in colonies where they preserved their language, customs and ideals.
+America is now a land of many alien tongues. The foreigners have been
+coming faster than we can assimilate them."
+
+"Many of our most desirable citizens come from foreign lands."
+
+"Yes, but there is a decided difference in the character of the
+immigrants of today and formerly. Edward Alsworth Ross, Professor
+of Sociology in the University of Wisconsin, who is perhaps one of
+the greatest sociologists in the world, states in his 'Principles of
+Sociology':
+
+"'A stream of immigrants may be representative, sub-representative
+or super-representative of the people from which it comes. Religious
+or political oppression is likely to start up a current of
+super-representative migrants because it is chiefly the superior who
+refuse to conform to the will of the powerful. The English Puritans,
+Quakers, Catholics, the Scotch Covenanters, the French Huguenots,
+the German sectaries who settled Pennsylvania and the refugee German
+liberals of 1848 were among the super-representative elements which
+came to America. Discrimination against a people or a race generally
+causes a representative outflow, _e.g._, the Scotch Irish and the
+Scotch Highlanders of Colonial days as well as the streams of
+Armenians, Syrians and Russian Hebrews which have come to us latterly.
+
+"'Subduers of the wilderness generally surpass in energy and
+venturesomeness their kinsmen who stay where they were born. It is the
+trout rather than the carp that find their way out of the pool into
+the swift water. The American pioneering breed had rare courage and
+initiative, and the European immigrants who came to settle in the Great
+West may well have topped the average of their people in these traits.
+Those who follow the lure of high wages in a foreign labor market will
+sub-represent their people in ability. The educated, the propertied,
+the established, the well-connected, having prospects at home, have
+no motive to submit themselves to the hardships of the steerage.
+The children of the successful abide in their father-land; only the
+children of the unsuccessful migrate, and it is very unlikely that
+such a stream will constitute a good sample of the beauty, brains and
+initiative of the stock.
+
+"'Even the difficulties of a distant migration have a selective value.
+The first-comers from a people probably have more initiative than
+those who come later, after the channels of immigration are worn deep
+and straight and smooth. The poorest stuff is that which migrates in
+response to a ticket-selling campaign by steamship agents who go about
+and excite the ignorant and gullible with fairy tales. Woe to the land
+which serves as a dumping ground for a commercialized immigration.'
+
+"Governor," said the judge leaning forward in his chair, "the United
+States is now that dumping ground."
+
+"A very interesting discussion," commented the governor, who had
+apparently forgotten that the judge was on the witness stand.
+
+"You remember, governor, that President Roosevelt warned the people of
+this country of the dangers of race suicide."
+
+"Yes, I remember that," the governor replied.
+
+"President Roosevelt did not tell the people of the sociological and
+economic causes of the great decrease in the birth rate among native
+stock. In this same work from which I have just been quoting Professor
+Ross says:
+
+"'Bringing his own inherited low standard of living, the foreign born
+outbreeds his native competitor, whose standard of living reflects the
+better prospects of the newer country. The former will be ready to
+marry before the latter feels justified in doing so. The former will
+beget eight children while the latter does not see how he can do right
+by more than four. The higher standards of cleanliness, decency and
+education cherished by the native element act on it like a slow poison.
+William does not leave so many children as "Tonio" because he will not
+huddle his family into one room, eat macaroni off a bare board, work
+his wife barefoot in the fields, and keep his children weeding onions
+instead of at school. Subjection to competition with low-standard
+immigrants appears to be the root cause of the mysterious "sterility"
+which has stricken in turn the Americans and each of the Americanized
+immigrant elements. Down to 1830 the Americans were as fertile a race
+as ever lived, and their decline in fertility coincides in time and
+locality with the arrival of the immigrant flood.'"
+
+"How much have the native Americans decreased in fertility?" the
+governor asked.
+
+"F.S. Crum in the 'Bulletin of the American Statistical Association'
+for September, 1914, gives the average number of children per wife,
+based on 'Twenty-two Genealogical Records of American Families.'
+Previous to 1700 the average number of children per wife was 7.37,
+1800-1849 it had decreased to 4.94; 1870-1879 show an average of only
+2.77 children per wife.'"
+
+"Have you statistics showing the relative fertility of the native born
+women and the foreign born women in America?"
+
+"Yes. I have it here in a note book." He took a small book from his
+pocket and read:
+
+"In 1890 in American cities a thousand foreign born women could show
+565 children under five years of age to 309 children shown by a
+thousand native women. By 1900 the contribution of the foreign born
+women had risen to 612, while that of the native women had declined to
+296."
+
+The governor thrummed on the table with his fingers. "Judge," he said,
+"that is serious."
+
+"Yes, it is serious, and what the Klan purposes to do is to influence
+the government to erect a wall to keep out this foreign flood."
+
+The mention of the Klan brought the governor back to the purpose of the
+investigation. "Isn't your connection with the Klan likely to interfere
+with your duties as judge?"
+
+"Not in the least."
+
+"In case a Klansman should become a litigant in your court wouldn't you
+be prejudiced in his favor against the man who is not a Klansman?"
+
+"There would be no more probability of my being prejudiced in his favor
+than in that of a Mason or a member of my Bible Class. In none of these
+organizations am I obligated to support my brother when he is in the
+wrong."
+
+The Judge was now excused and Harold King was called. After King was
+questioned other men more or less prominent about town were called.
+The examination disclosed nothing that the public could not have known
+without an investigation except that it revealed positively who a few
+of the Klansmen were. When at the end of two days the investigations
+were brought to a close the anti-Klan forces were disappointed with
+the results.
+
+As the crowd left the court room after the close of the investigation,
+Springer asked Captain Smith, the commander of the American Legion,
+"What do you think of a judge being the head of a Ku Klux Klan?"
+
+"I think it must be a mighty good organization with Judge Rider at the
+head of it."
+
+The reply was not what Springer desired, consequently he made no reply
+nor asked any more questions of the captain, but hastened to his
+editorial den to write a modest request that since the investigation
+had disclosed the fact that Judge Rider was a Klansman he be requested
+to resign at once from his office.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXV
+
+
+When Harold saw Ruth after she secured the position with the Wing
+Mortgage Company one of the first things she wanted to know was why he
+had asked over the 'phone as to her associations with men.
+
+"I heard that you had been keeping company with a disreputable young
+man, and I wanted to prove that I was the man," he said.
+
+"Who said I had been keeping bad company?"
+
+"Your former employer."
+
+"Stover?"
+
+"Yes. I had just learned through my friend Wilson that someone had told
+Wing that you associated with a disreputable young man and that was the
+reason you did not get the job. I guessed at once that it was Stover.
+Wilson admitted it was he. I wanted to know if you had been with any
+other men so that I would know how to talk to Stover. When I talked to
+him he said that he didn't mean his nephew, so there wasn't anyone for
+him to mean but me. I went to Wing then and confessed that I was the
+disreputable young man."
+
+"I just knew that you had something to do with my getting that job. Of
+course Stover spoke that way of you because you belong to the Klan."
+
+"Yes, he pretends so; but the real reason is because he can't use me
+or bribe me. As I told you before, Stover is a crook and one of these
+days I will prove it to you and to the world. I know why you lost your
+job at the bank. It was on my account, wasn't it?"
+
+"I don't have to answer, do I?"
+
+"No. I know."
+
+"I want to thank you for helping me get the job and especially for
+setting me right in the estimation of Mr. Wing. I certainly appreciate
+it."
+
+"It was a great pleasure to be of some little assistance to you, but I
+am the one who is indebted for a job. You are the one who secured me my
+chance. How can I repay you?"
+
+"Who's been tattling?" she asked, laughing.
+
+"Your friend, Miss Welty, told me the last trip I made to the capital."
+
+"She's a piker; she told me she wouldn't tell."
+
+"Well, she didn't exactly tell. I got her to admit it. She said that
+you talked like a professional salesman in selling me to her father."
+
+"It wasn't difficult. You see I had a good article to sell. When your
+goods have real merit it isn't hard to make a sale."
+
+"Ruth, I am leaving tonight."
+
+"Will you be gone long?"
+
+"I am not sure. At least four or five days. I have to go early to get
+ready. I did not want to go without having a little visit with you."
+
+"Once before when you were leaving we pulled a wishbone."
+
+"Yes, and you won and made three wishes. You haven't told me yet what
+you wished."
+
+"No, they haven't all come true yet."
+
+"You can tell me about the ones that have come true, can't you?"
+
+"No, not yet. If I were to tell you now that would break the charm
+and the others would not come true. Say, do you want to pull another
+wishbone? I've got one in here, but there isn't any meat on this one."
+
+"Well, we don't want the meat on it when we pull it. Come on, let's
+wish." She went into the kitchen and secured the wishbone. "This is a
+small one," she said.
+
+"It should be good for two wishes," he said, "if the other was
+sufficient to carry three."
+
+"All right, here goes for two wishes." He took every advantage in the
+hold that he secured and the quick twist that he gave it when she was
+ready. He won, and she said, "That wasn't fair; you cheated."
+
+"You won the other time," he replied, "and it was my time to win."
+
+He said he must leave, and she accompanied him to the front porch. He
+said good-night and took several steps down the walk, then turned back
+and talked a while longer. "Well, I must go," he said, but he remained
+ten minutes more. Finally he screwed his courage to the sticking point,
+leaned over and kissed her cheek. She playfully slapped him, as she
+said, "You naughty boy." The combined effect of the kiss and slap sent
+him away happy.
+
+After leaving Ruth, Harold had only time enough to pack his grip and
+make the California Limited.
+
+The same day that Ruth had given Harold the description of Dick Watson,
+he sent the description to the heads of the Klan in every state in the
+Union. Within a week three million secret service men were looking for
+the missing bank cashier. This afternoon Harold had received a telegram
+informing him that his man had been located by Klansmen in Arizona.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXVI
+
+
+The bookkeeper of the S & M mine had worked for an hour after the
+miners had quit work, balancing his books for the day. All of the other
+clerks had left the office. He had closed the big ledger and had drawn
+a sigh of relief. Just then the office door opened and a tall athletic
+young man entered. He approached the bookkeeper and extended his hand.
+"My name is King."
+
+"My name is Watson. Are you stopping in the camp, Mr. King?"
+
+"I expect to be here but a short time. How is the mining business?"
+
+"Not much activity just now in this section. Some of the old mines
+are shut down and there is but little prospecting being done. Are you
+interested in the mining business?"
+
+"No, not particularly."
+
+"There is a small mine near here that could be purchased at a bargain.
+A couple of crooks got the old man who owns it in debt to them and took
+a mortgage on the mine. The old man is very illiterate and did not
+understand the contracts that he had with these men. He is forced to
+sell to save himself. If he loses all that he has in this mine it is
+quite likely that he will be ruined for life, as he is too old to come
+back. I would be very sorry to see anything like that happen."
+
+"It's a shame that there are individuals who will stoop to crookedness
+to beat men who are along in years out of the savings of a lifetime."
+
+"Back in my home town----"
+
+"What is your home town?" asked Watson, interrupting King.
+
+"Wilford Springs. I was going to tell you about a man by the name of
+Babcock who used to own the controlling interest in a bank at Zala.
+(Watson gave a start and his face whitened.) This man Babcock was in
+some sort of a deal with a banker in Wilford Springs. One night the
+Wilford Springs banker, whose name is Jim Stover, went to Zala and had
+a conference with Babcock. The next day Babcock turned the bank over
+to him. That afternoon Babcock was injured in an automobile accident,
+and that night his cashier disappeared." (The bookkeeper became very
+nervous. He got up, poked the fire and then came back to his desk and
+sat down. He clasped his hands together to hold them from shaking.)
+
+"Did Babcock recover from the accident?"
+
+"Not fully. He suffers a great deal from a pain in his head at times,
+and he has no memory of anything that happened before the accident in
+which he was injured."
+
+"You say he can't remember anything that happened before he was
+injured?"
+
+"No, not a thing."
+
+"Can he remember things that have happened since he was hurt?"
+
+"Yes, that is the strange part about his condition. He can remember
+everything that has transpired since he was injured as well as the
+average person."
+
+"Very strange indeed," Watson commented.
+
+"When his daughter Ruth inquired about the business Stover informed her
+that he had purchased her father's bank stock. When she asked about the
+money she was told by Stover that her father had owed him an amount of
+money equal to the stock and he had taken it to help her father out."
+
+"This Stover claimed that Babcock was indebted to him?"
+
+"Yes. Babcock has been trying to remember what became of his money. He
+thinks that he has recalled the combination to the safe and that the
+man to whom he showed the combination robbed him."
+
+"I must be going. My wife will be waiting supper for me. I would like
+to talk longer with you. Could you come back to the office later in the
+evening?"
+
+"Yes, I can come any time."
+
+"How will eight o'clock be?"
+
+"That will be all right."
+
+When Watson reached his little cottage at the edge of the mining
+camp, his wife, a slender, blue-eyed girl scarcely twenty years of
+age, met him on the porch. "Dick, you are late tonight. I have been
+waiting dinner for twenty minutes. Why, what is the matter?" she asked,
+noticing that he had a worried look on his face. "Are you ill?"
+
+"No, just worried," he replied.
+
+"What has gone wrong?"
+
+"I will tell you after a while."
+
+"Come on in and get ready for dinner, then. Father is restless this
+evening. I think this damp weather is affecting him. It seems like he
+always breathes harder when the weather is damp."
+
+The evening meal passed in silence except that John Hinds, Mrs.
+Watson's father, who was a consumptive, talked about the damp
+atmosphere and its unpleasant effects on his breathing apparatus and
+expressed thanks that there were but few damp days in Arizona. Watson
+answered his father-in-law in an absent-minded way. Mrs. Watson was
+worried because her husband could not eat, consequently she had no
+appetite.
+
+After the meal was over John Hinds went into the living room, leaving
+Watson and his wife alone in the dining room. An hour later when Watson
+left the house his wife's eyes were red with crying. "It's awful," she
+said, "but I suppose it must be done."
+
+When he reached the mine office he found King waiting for him at the
+door.
+
+"Waiting for me! Am I late?"
+
+"I think I am a little ahead of time.
+
+"It's a little damp and chilly," Harold remarked, when they had entered
+the office and he had removed his top coat.
+
+"Yes, and damp weather is rather unusual in this country."
+
+"So I have been told."
+
+The bookkeeper took a seat at his desk and Harold King seated himself
+opposite.
+
+"I was much interested in the story you were telling me about that Zala
+banker," Watson began. "You say that Stover claimed that Babcock owed
+him and that he took the bank stock to settle the debt?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Watson took a box of cigarettes from his pocket and offered the box to
+Harold.
+
+"No, thank you, I do not use them."
+
+"This is one of my bad habits," Watson explained, as he took a
+cigarette from the box and lighted it. "I usually smoke a package a
+day, and some days, when anything worries me, I use two packages. You
+spoke of the cashier's leaving the night of the same day that Babcock
+was injured. What is your opinion? Do you think that this cashier
+robbed Babcock or was an accomplice in robbing him?"
+
+"No, I don't think that; but I think that this cashier can give some
+valuable information."
+
+"Well, you are right. I am that cashier."
+
+"I knew that. I came here on purpose to see you."
+
+"You did! How did you locate me?"
+
+"I located you by means of the eye of the Invisible Empire."
+
+"What! You located me through the Ku Klux Klan?"
+
+"Yes, I had three million secret service men looking for you."
+
+"I have heard that there are some Klansmen here, but I do not know any
+of them."
+
+"One never knows when the Invisible Eye is on him. Your employer, or
+fellow employee, may be a Knight of the Ku Klux Klan and you never
+suspect it."
+
+"You have located me all right, what do you want?"
+
+"I want the inside information of how Babcock was robbed."
+
+Watson threw away the stub of his cigarette and lighted another, at
+which he took several strong pulls before he replied.
+
+"I am going to tell you the whole story. I shall keep back nothing.
+I was employed in the Zala bank only a short time. I bought out my
+predecessor. I purchased his three thousand dollars' worth of stock in
+order to secure the job. I did not have quite enough money, and he gave
+me time on four hundred dollars. Mr. Babcock and I got on splendidly
+together. In eight months I had paid off the indebtedness on my stock.
+
+"Mr. Babcock was the leader of one political faction in Zala. The
+faction of which he was leader was victorious in the city election.
+Babcock was elected city treasurer. As treasurer he became the
+custodian of fifty thousand dollars, which he deposited in his own
+bank. The opposing political faction started a second bank and made
+plans to put Babcock out of business. They circulated the report that
+his bank was in a failing condition.
+
+"When Mr. Babcock heard the report that was being circulated he
+attempted to counteract it. Every evening after banking hours he would
+get in his car and drive until nine or ten o'clock, talking with
+farmers, telling them that the report that his bank was in a failing
+condition was a malicious attack started on him by his political
+enemies. However, there was considerable alarm among many of the
+farmers who had money in his bank.
+
+"Friday afternoon he said to me, 'I fear that the farmers will make a
+run on the bank tomorrow. There are always a lot of country folk in
+town on Saturday. There are some of these farmers who are alarmed--fear
+spreads rapidly in a crowd. I must be prepared. You take my car and
+drive to Wilford Springs and borrow thirty thousand dollars from Jim
+Stover to tide us over.'
+
+"I took plenty of collateral and did as directed. Stover pumped me as
+to the condition of the bank and elicited from me the information that
+Babcock had fifty thousand dollars of the city funds in his own bank
+unsecured in any way.
+
+"After hearing my request for a loan, he said, 'I will go down with
+you this evening and fix Babcock up all right.' That evening he
+loaded fifty thousand dollars into his car and we drove to Zala. The
+conference lasted until a late hour, at the home of Babcock. Stover
+impressed on his mind again and again that with the small amount of
+cash that Babcock had on hand, if there were a run on his bank the
+following day, the bank would fail and with the city funds in his own
+bank it would be very embarrassing for him and might result in criminal
+charges being brought against him. Mr. Babcock was extremely nervous.
+'What would you advise me to do?' he asked. 'Make an assignment to me.
+If a run is made on the bank I can show them that I have bought you out
+and placed all of my resources back of it,' Stover advised. Babcock
+agreed to this, and the next morning Babcock transferred his stock to
+Stover with the understanding that it should be reassigned to him when
+the danger of a run had passed."
+
+"Were you present when the transfer of stock was made?" King asked.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Was anything said about Stover's taking the stock in payment of money
+due him from Babcock?"
+
+"Not a word. I am sure Babcock never owed Stover one cent. After the
+assignment of the stock Babcock showed Stover the combination to the
+safe."
+
+"Do you remember the combination to the safe?"
+
+"No, I don't believe I do now. I haven't had any occasion to recall it."
+
+"Mr. Babcock tried so hard to recall the combination to some safe and
+finally said he had recalled it."
+
+"Do you know the combination as he recalled it?" asked Watson.
+
+"Yes. Two turns to the right, to the left to forty, then to the right
+to thirty-two."
+
+"I believe that was it. I am pretty sure it was. Wait a minute, I have
+it in an old bank pass book. He opened a drawer and took out a pass
+book and read, two turns to the right, to the left to forty, then to
+the right to thirty-two. By George, he had it right!"
+
+"Yes, and he had it right about the one to whom he taught this
+combination robbing him," commented Harold.
+
+"After showing Stover the combination Babcock left the bank. A run was
+made on the bank and several thousand dollars were drawn out. Stover
+convinced the depositors by the display of the fifty thousand and the
+statement that he had purchased the bank that there was no occasion
+for alarm. The run was stopped and most of the money that had been
+withdrawn was returned.
+
+"When I returned to the bank after eating my noon lunch I found a
+stranger there looking through the accounts. Mr. Stover introduced him
+as Charles Finch, the new bank examiner. I had just read a few days
+before of Mr. Finch's appointment.
+
+"This bank examiner found a note for thirty-five hundred dollars made
+by a prominent farmer that was sixty days past due. He called the
+farmer up and asked him to come to the bank at once and take care of
+it. When the farmer came he declared that he had never given the note.
+That evening Stover and Finch called me into the directors' room. Finch
+showed me that there was a shortage of thirty-five hundred dollars. The
+note that was, according to the farmer, a forgery was shown me. Babcock
+and myself both loaned money. It was our custom when making a loan to
+put our initials on the margin to show who was responsible for making
+the loan. On the lower left hand margin were the initials D.W. I told
+Stover and Finch that I would swear before God that I had never seen
+the note before, but the strange part was that the note was written in
+my hand writing and the initials were exactly as I make them. The bank
+examiner showed me the entry of the three thousand dollar loan on the
+books; where the entry in the bills receivable book and the credit on
+the cash book were both in my hand writing. After this forged note had
+been made the books still showed a shortage of five hundred dollars.
+
+"Again and again I told them that I knew nothing of these things."
+
+"'You'd have a hard time convincing a jury of that,' the bank examiner
+told me.
+
+"I was forced to admit that the evidence looked strong against me.
+Finally, when I was almost crazy, Stover said, 'Young man, I will give
+you one chance. You pay the five hundred dollars that the books show
+the cash is still short, assign your stock over to me and I will take
+care of the three thousand dollar note. You leave the country tonight
+and never return.'
+
+"I told him that that was impossible, as I did not have the five
+hundred dollars. Finally he told me how sorry he felt for me and how
+anxious he was to keep me out of the penitentiary and that he would pay
+the other five hundred and give me two hundred dollars to leave on. He
+then gave me some good advice as to my future conduct. I was perfectly
+innocent, but I had no friend in the West, except Mr. Babcock, and he
+had been injured in an auto accident that afternoon and his life was
+despaired of. In my excited imagination I saw the cold stern walls of
+the penitentiary loom before me. I accepted Stover's offer. (During
+this recital Harold listened intently and occasionally made notes.)
+
+"That night I left Zala on the midnight train. I went to Trinidad,
+Colorado, and remained there for two months. I did not find a job that
+suited me there and decided to come farther west. I had not been on the
+train long when I noticed a pretty girl a few seats behind me. After
+several hours of loneliness I changed my seat directly across the aisle
+from her and engaged her in conversation. She told me that her name
+was Irene Hinds. She was from Indiana. She was on her way here to join
+her father. She told me that her father was tubercular and had come to
+Arizona for his health, two months previous. Before that he had spent
+several months in the Middle West but had not improved much.
+
+"I became much interested in Irene and decided to change my destination
+and try to find employment here, where she was to make her home with
+her father. I secured employment the day I landed, as bookkeeper in
+this office. After I had been here a few days I asked permission
+to call on Miss Hinds. Imagine the shock which I received when she
+introduced me to her father, whom I recognized at once as Finch, the
+bank examiner. I was sure he recognized me, but he said nothing about
+our having met before. I was alarmed and at the same time curious
+as to why he was here passing under the name of Hinds. I was sure
+there was something wrong in his life or he would have forbidden his
+daughter to associate with me, whom he knew as a defaulter. Finally
+he did object when it became evident to him that Irene and I were in
+love. After a short courtship we were married against his wishes.
+The night we were married he was very much agitated during the early
+part of the evening. When the minister and our young friends had left
+he made a confession to us. He said he had been for several months a
+guest in the Stover home at the time Babcock made the transfer of stock
+to Stover and Stover took charge of the Ranchmen's Bank at Zala. My
+father-in-law, John Hinds, is a cousin of Jim Stover. He was for many
+years a bookkeeper for a firm in Indianapolis. He is a professional
+penman. For several years he fought against tuberculosis but continued
+to work. Finally the doctors told him that if he expected to live any
+length of time he must go West. He went to Stover at Wilford Springs.
+After several months there the doctors told him that he should come to
+Arizona. He was without funds.
+
+"The day that Stover took charge of the Ranchmen's Bank in Zala he
+'phoned to his cousin to come down. When he arrived Stover told him
+if he would do a little job for him he would give him a thousand
+dollars with which to go to Arizona to recover his health. After much
+persuasion and the painting of several graveyard scenes by Stover he
+consented. He impersonated the bank examiner, forged the note, and made
+the false entries in the books, imitating my writing.
+
+"On our wedding night he insisted that he go back and expose his cousin
+so that I could clear my name and recover the value of my bank stock
+out of which Stover had defrauded me. As I thought I was the only one
+wronged, Irene and myself refused to allow him to do so. I am sure that
+he would never have done what he did, Mr. King, if he had not thought
+it was to save his life.
+
+"I never knew until you told me this evening that Stover had robbed
+Babcock. I talked the matter over with Irene, and while of course it is
+a hard thing for a woman to consent to her father's taking a course of
+action which will send him to the penitentiary, and I never would have
+brought this anguish to her on my own account, yet she agreed with me
+it must be done."
+
+"Have you talked to your father-in-law?"
+
+"No. He wasn't so well as usual today, and we thought we would wait
+until the sun is shining when he is sure to be feeling better."
+
+"Will he be willing to waive extradition?"
+
+"I am sure he will. He has always told Irene and myself that he must
+go sometime and do what he could to right the wrong he had committed
+against me.
+
+"I never intended to permit him to do it, but now that we need his
+confession in order to assist Babcock he must go even though it sends
+him to the penitentiary."
+
+When the matter was presented to John Hinds the following day, he
+assured Harold that he would waive extradition and come to Wilford
+Springs whenever he was needed.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXVII
+
+
+When the new officials of Rush County took their offices there was a
+great deal of anxiety among the law violators in Wilford Springs and
+not without reason. C.M. Stanton, the county attorney, and Dan Brown,
+the sheriff, were both Klansmen, who would now have the backing of
+fifteen hundred other Klansmen who would give them their loyal support
+in the enforcement of law.
+
+The governor's investigations for the purpose of gathering evidence
+against the Klan had resulted in nothing of consequence except to
+inform the public as to the identity of a few Klansmen and to reveal
+a very few irregularities committed by some misguided Klansmen who
+had not understood the nature of their obligations as Klansmen. After
+spending a great deal of time and money in making these investigations
+the attorney-general and governor had not produced one iota of evidence
+to prove that the Klan committed acts of violence or took the law into
+its own hands. On the contrary, they found that the organization was
+doing much to assist the officers in the enforcement of law.
+
+When Governor Slydell's term of office came to a close and he again
+joined the ranks of private citizens the ouster suit was still pending
+in the Supreme Court where it continued to be carried over from term
+to term until finally dismissed. Meanwhile the Klan grew not only in
+Wilford Springs but throughout the state.
+
+Two weeks after the new attorney and sheriff were sworn into office
+a raid was made on five houses where liquor was being sold. The raid
+was made by the sheriff's force, unbeknown to the mayor and chief of
+police. Much liquor was confiscated and destroyed, the proprietors
+arrested and the following morning given a speedy trial and a long
+jail sentence. When Hennesy found himself in jail he called for the
+county attorney and made affidavit that the mayor and chief of police
+patronized his place. Within two hours after this affidavit was made
+the mayor and chief were given a chance to resign or face ouster
+proceedings. They preferred to resign.
+
+About one o'clock on this memorable day when Wilford Springs awoke to
+the realization of the fact that 'a clean-up' was on, Pat McBryan came
+to Stover's office.
+
+"I guess we're in for it," he said.
+
+"What's up now, Pat?" Stover asked, "nothing serious, is there? Nothing
+really to worry about."
+
+"Hell's just broke loose, that's all. Of course, that's nothing to
+worry about."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I just heard that both Clark and Roberts have resigned."
+
+"What's the matter with them?"
+
+"Hennesy squealed."
+
+"That's bad," said Stover, rubbing his hands together.
+
+"Bad? It's hell."
+
+"I'm going over to my office and write out my resignation as
+commissioner at once."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"The chances are that there is going to be a lot of investigation going
+on around here. I am going to sell out and leave the country."
+
+"Now, don't get scared and go to telling anything."
+
+"I'm not telling, but I'm going to go while the going is good."
+
+McBryan left the room. The sound of his footsteps had scarcely died
+away when the banker's office door opened and someone entered without
+knocking. The banker was surprised, and a cold chill ran down his
+spinal column, when he looked up and saw Dan Brown, the new sheriff,
+standing before him.
+
+"How do you do, Mr. Stover?"
+
+"Our new sheriff, I believe," said Stover, great drops of perspiration
+coming out on his forehead.
+
+"Mr. Stover, I'll have to trouble you to come with me. I have a warrant
+for you."
+
+"A warrant for me?" Stover was now rubbing his hands together violently.
+
+"Yes, for you."
+
+"What's the charge?"
+
+"Forgery and obtaining money fraudulently."
+
+"Who is the complaining witness?"
+
+"You come on and when we get to the court house you can go into the
+office of the clerk of the district court and read the entire charge."
+
+About an hour later, after Stover had been released on bond, he called
+Harold King over the 'phone.
+
+"Is this King?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, this is King."
+
+"I wish you would come down to my office. I want to see you."
+
+"If you want to see me it will be necessary to come to my office."
+Stover hung up the receiver and muttered, "The insolent puppy."
+However, he grabbed his hat and started for King's office without a
+moment's delay.
+
+When he reached the architect's office he announced himself by
+demanding in a loud voice, which was unusual for him, "You young
+upstart, what do you mean by making that absurd complaint against me?"
+
+"Have a chair, Mr. Stover." Stover stared at him.
+
+"Have a chair, I say," Harold indicated one with a gesture. Stover sat
+down. The sangfroid of this young fellow discomfited him.
+
+"I want to know what you mean?" Stover asked when he had recovered
+himself.
+
+"Mean about what?" Harold asked coolly.
+
+"By those ridiculous charges you made against me."
+
+"Have you read the complaint?"
+
+"Yes, I have."
+
+"Then you know all about it. I don't need to tell you anything."
+
+"It's preposterous. Young man, you're making a fool of yourself. You
+can't prove anything, and in the end you will be laughed at."
+
+"Stover, I can prove all I have charged. At any rate the jury will
+decide."
+
+"What proof have you?"
+
+"It will be time enough to present the proof when you come to trial."
+
+"King, what do you and your friends want?"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"This is simply a case of blackmail. How much do you and your friends
+want?"
+
+Harold sprang from his chair and stood in front of Stover, a fire of
+anger flamed from his eyes, and he opened and shut his hands forcibly.
+Harold King, the Klansman, fought hard with himself. He could scarce
+restrain his hands from clutching Stover's skinny throat. When he had
+mastered himself he walked back to his chair and sat down. "Stover," he
+said, "don't repeat that unless you want them to try me for homicide
+in the district court, and unless you want an immediate trial by the
+Supreme Judge of the Universe."
+
+Stover, now trembling and white, changed his attitude. "Mr. King,"
+he said, rubbing his hands and swallowing hard, "it may be that the
+girl does not understand the deal I had with her father. Babcock owed
+me twenty thousand dollars and I bought his interest in the Zala bank
+for that amount. I explained this to Ruth, but it is quite likely that
+someone has been misrepresenting the transaction to her. The girl has
+had a hard time. I feel sorry for her, and while I do not owe her a
+cent I will make her a present of five thousand dollars to help her out
+if you will have this case dismissed."
+
+"Nothing doing. Stover, you are an unmitigated liar and crook. You
+robbed Babcock and Watson; you tried to bribe me to betray the Klan.
+Like the cowardly cur that you are you tried to fight me through your
+dirty attack on a young woman. You talk of being sorry. You haven't the
+capacity within your craven soul to be sorry for anybody but yourself.
+You see that door. Get out of it at once or I may not be able to keep
+my hands off you." Harold stood with his finger pointing to the door
+while Stover left without looking back.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXVIII
+
+
+The next day after Stover's arrest the town was in a furore. The man
+who had for years been looked upon as one of Wilford Springs' most
+successful business men had been charged with a felony. Groups of
+excited people met on the street corners discussing the case. The
+Eagle stated the facts in connection with Stover's arrest without any
+editorial comment. The Journal stated that the arrest of "Jim Stover,
+Wilford Springs' most distinguished citizen, was spite work by Klan
+leaders and a girl who had been discharged from Stover's employ."
+
+The Reverend Earl Benton had just finished reading of Stover's arrest
+when his door bell rang. Mrs. Benton went to the door and admitted a
+young lady who asked to see Rev. Benton. Mrs. Benton showed the young
+lady into the pastor's study.
+
+"Rev. Benton, I am Pearl Gardner," she said by way of introduction.
+
+"Have a chair, Miss Gardner. What can I do for you?"
+
+"I wanted to talk to you about a certain matter. I came to you because
+you are the only person I know whom I was sure belongs to the Ku Klux
+Klan. I wanted to talk to a Klansman."
+
+"I have stated in a number of public lectures that I belong to the
+Klan."
+
+"I had heard that you said that you belong to the Klan and as I wanted
+to get the help of the Klan, I came to you."
+
+"I will be pleased to carry your message to the Klan if it appears that
+that organization can be of any service to you."
+
+"I think it can. I have been keeping company with a young man by the
+name of Chester Golter. We are engaged to be married but he refuses to
+keep the engagement."
+
+"What did you want the Klan to do in the matter?"
+
+"I thought if a letter were written to him telling him that if he
+didn't keep his promise to me he would be visited by Ku Kluxers that he
+would marry me."
+
+"Has he actually refused to marry you?"
+
+"Not in so many words. He used to keep company with another girl who
+worked in the bank. Her name is Ruth Babcock. Since we have been
+engaged I have seen a letter she wrote to him. I discovered by the
+contents of this letter that he had asked her for her company after
+he had told me that he did not care for her and would not go with her
+again. She told him in this letter very positively that she would not
+go with him. Of course I was offended and refused to go with him to
+a show the following night. Since then he has gone with another girl
+several times and has said that he does not know whether we should get
+married or not; that he is afraid we are not compatible. He is afraid
+of the Klan and if he had a threatening letter from the Ku Kluxers he
+would keep his promise to me."
+
+"My dear young lady," said the minister, "you do not understand the
+work of this organization. The Klan does not write threatening letters,
+nor visit anyone for the purpose of coercing them. That is a mistaken
+idea that many have. Not long ago a woman came to me asking that I get
+the Klan to chase her husband out of town. She said he was worthless
+and she wanted to get rid of him. A man came to me and told me that he
+thought that if the Klan would give his uncle a right good whipping it
+might improve his conduct. It isn't strange that so many people have
+this mistaken idea of the mission of the Klan. The newspapers have
+printed so much of alleged threats and punishments by Klans that many
+have believed them. The Klan is not a punitive organization except
+as it assists officers in the enforcement of the law by furnishing
+evidence and giving the officers its moral support. If this young man
+positively refuses to marry you, of course, you have recourse in the
+courts. You can sue him for breach of promise."
+
+"Then the Klan won't write a letter to him threatening to visit him if
+he doesn't many me?"
+
+"I am sure it would not. Maybe a little more sweetness and
+graciousness on your part would bring the young gentleman around all
+right?'
+
+"Well, I will be going. I thank you."
+
+The clergyman walked to the door and as she passed out he said, "I
+trust your affair with this young man may terminate satisfactorily for
+you, but remember this: there can be no true marriage relation except
+two hearts are bound captive to each other with a golden chain of love."
+
+After his caller had gone Rev. Benton informed his wife that he was
+going to town.
+
+"Remember, dear, that you have to conduct a funeral this afternoon. You
+must be back promptly at noon for your lunch."
+
+"I remember the funeral and will be here at twelve. These funerals are
+sad, gloomy occasions in the life of a minister."
+
+"A funeral is always sad whether one is in the ministry or not, isn't
+it?"
+
+"Usually, but a funeral service might bring a great deal of pleasure to
+a minister."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"It would afford me a great deal of pleasure to preach the funeral
+sermon over the remains of some of the brothers who are continually
+knocking, or of the sisters who are always suffering from the 'hoof and
+mouth disease.'"
+
+"Tut, tut, my dear," his wife replied, shaking her finger at him, "to
+hear you talk one would think you have some members in your flock whom
+you do not love."
+
+"Well, to tell the truth," he said, laughing, "I have a few members who
+would be so much more lovable dead."
+
+"What a boy you are." She lifted her face toward his and he kissed her
+fervently.
+
+As she stood watching him walk down the street she noticed that his
+step was not quite so sprightly as it had been when they were married
+thirty-five years before and that his shoulders were beginning to bow
+under the burdens of life. She rejoiced that while his body was aging
+his heart and spirits retained their youthfulness.
+
+As the minister passed Isaac Goldberg's place the little Jew called to
+him from his door. "Shust a minute, Reverend, I vonts to speak to you."
+
+"All right, Mr. Goldberg. What is it?"
+
+"I understand dat the Klan is going to build a beeg klavern. Is dat
+right?"
+
+"Yes, the plans are all drawn and work will begin at once."
+
+"How much the cost?"
+
+"Ten thousand dollars."
+
+"Vel, vel, dot is lots of money. If the Klan vants to borry some
+moneys Isaac has it to loan. And I shust ask only 10 per cent."
+
+"Isaac, would you loan money to the Klan?"
+
+"I loan money shust as quick to the Klan as to the Knights of Columbus."
+
+"I thank you for the offer, but I am quite sure that the Klan will be
+able to finance this building without any outside help."
+
+"Vel, remember Isaac has moneys to loan--on goot security, of course;
+alvays on goot security."
+
+A little way farther down the street Rev. Benton met Mr. Jackson.
+
+"Good morning, Reverend."
+
+"How are you, Jackson?"
+
+"Reverend Benton, what do you think of Stover's arrest?"
+
+"Well, I have never had a very exalted opinion of Stover, but I had not
+suspected him of being a thief."
+
+"It looks bad for him, but he may be able to come clear. I hope he
+does."
+
+"Well, I do, too. While I have never been an admirer of Stover I would
+regret very much to know that he had robbed a man who has become an
+invalid and dependent on his daughter for support."
+
+"If he did defraud Babcock and then discharged his daughter who was
+supporting her father and aunt because she was keeping company with
+Harold King whom he had a personal grudge against, as reported, there
+aren't adjectives strong enough to use in condemning him." Jackson
+spoke with feeling.
+
+"I know that he discharged the girl because she was keeping company
+with Harold King but, of course, I know nothing about the charges of
+fraud."
+
+Springer now came by and Jackson stopped him with the question,
+"Springer, what do you think about this Stover affair?"
+
+"I think just what I stated in the Journal, that Stover's arrest is a
+piece of spite work."
+
+There was quite a crowd collected now and someone asked, "Who was the
+girl you referred to in the article in the paper?"
+
+"Ruth Babcock who had been discharged by Stover."
+
+"Oh, yes. Wasn't she the girl that published the affidavit in regard to
+the Rastus Jones affair?" another man asked.
+
+"Yes, she has been playing into the hands of the Klan all along."
+Springer showed embarrassment in his voice and manner. His feeling was
+of the same nature as when that affidavit was published.
+
+"Who is back of this prosecution?" another asked.
+
+"Harold King," Springer replied.
+
+"If Harold King is responsible for it you can rest assured that it is
+not spite work. Harold King is every inch a man, and while he may not
+be friendly to Stover he would not stoop to do a dishonorable act. If
+he was instrumental in causing Stover's arrest he has some proofs."
+Rev. Benton spoke in a positive voice.
+
+"Some of the other Klan leaders may have made him think that there was
+some evidence against Stover and used him as a tool. They have to make
+a goat of someone," Springer remarked.
+
+"Harold King isn't the kind that they make a goat of," said Jackson,
+"he has a mind of his own."
+
+"This is one of the consequences of that detestable Klan. It is causing
+trouble all over the country. I have repeatedly warned the people of
+this danger through the columns of the Journal."
+
+"Springer, in just what way is the Klan causing trouble?" Jackson asked.
+
+"Haven't you been reading in the paper about the riots that have
+occurred in many places where Klan meetings are held?"
+
+"Yes, I have been reading of some attacks being made on Klan meetings
+and Klan parades. It seems that in every instance the Klan members were
+assaulted, and that the Klan did nothing to provoke the riots."
+
+"Well, it doesn't make any difference who the aggressors were, the
+Klan is to blame; if they had not been holding meetings and having
+parades there wouldn't have been any riots and bloodshed. This Klan
+organization arouses such bitter feeling that the only sane and safe
+thing is for them to disorganize."
+
+"Springer," said Rev. Benton, "if I understand you correctly you take
+the position that the Klan antagonizes certain groups and for that
+reason the Klan should disorganize?"
+
+"Yes. That is about right. This Klan movement stirs up so much
+bitterness that its very existence is a menace to the peace and safety
+of the country. It doesn't make any difference what the principles of
+the Klan are, it stirs up strife and for that reason has no right to
+exist."
+
+"Springer, I am surprised at you. You, who are supposed to be a leader
+of thought and a molder of public opinion in the community." It was
+the Rev. Benton who now addressed Springer. There were by this time
+forty or fifty men in the crowd and all listened attentively while the
+minister spoke.
+
+"I want you men to see just how reasonable or unreasonable this
+argument of our friend Springer is. He says that the Klan should be
+disorganized because it stirs up bitter opposition. If this argument
+is good then the Christian Church should have been disorganized in the
+first centuries, as it was bitterly opposed by the pagans and the Roman
+government. Christians were burned at the stake and made to fight with
+wild beasts in the arena. The Masonic order should have been abolished
+in the days of its youth if Springer's argument is good, for certainly
+the Masonic order stirred up opposition. Then, there have existed
+various temperance organizations that should have been suppressed
+because they stirred up bitter opposition from whiskey dealers and
+manufacturers. According to your argument all of the cats should go out
+of business because the rats don't like them to guard the pantry."
+
+This last remark was greeted by uproarious laughter from most of the
+crowd. Hisses from a few. "Eat him up, preacher," a large man on the
+edge of the crowd shouted. "That's right, we're for you," came from a
+number.
+
+Springer turned to Scripture to defend his position.
+
+"I believe it's better to use love and forbearance. Didn't Paul say,
+'If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world
+standeth, lest I make my brother to offend'; and didn't Christ teach
+the doctrine of non-resistance and say, 'Resist not evil: but whosoever
+shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also'? I
+believe in the policy of non-resistance in the spirit of love. Since
+the Klan gives offense to my brother--if I were a Klansman I would
+give it up." ("That's right, Springer, you've told it to him right," a
+fourth degree Knight of Columbus exclaimed.)
+
+"I believe in the doctrine of love and forebearance, too, but I
+also believe in loyalty to principle. (The minister spoke in a well
+controlled voice but with great earnestness.) When Paul spoke of not
+eating meat if it caused his brother to offend he was speaking of meat
+that had been offered to idols. It would give offense to some to eat
+this meat and would do no violence to the conscience of any Christian
+to refrain from eating it.
+
+"When Christ said, 'Resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee
+on one cheek turn to him the other also,' he was repudiating the
+doctrine of 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' Nowhere did
+Christ or Paul teach that one should surrender principles of truth and
+righteousness in case someone became offended because of his advocacy.
+Christ knew that His principles would stir up bitter opposition and
+said, 'Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to
+send peace but a sword.' Christ himself used force to clear the temple
+of the money changers, and I haven't any idea that those grafters whose
+game was interfered with liked it. It is the fellow whose game is
+being interfered with by the Klan who is raising a big hullabaloo. I
+am a lover of peace, but if my advocacy of the tenets of the Christian
+religion, of the separation of church and state, free schools, pure
+womanhood, freedom of speech and the press, the up-holding of the
+constitution of the United States is an offense to any individual or
+group of individuals--native or foreign-born--let them be offended. I
+repeat it--let them be offended.
+
+"As a method of judging the genuine from the spurious, Christ said,
+'By their fruits ye shall know them.' What are the fruits of this
+organization which you despise? It has done much benevolent work
+in the way of assisting individuals and worthy institutions. It is
+establishing hospitals and orphan homes. It has assisted in enforcement
+of law in many localities; it has created more respect for law and
+encouraged church attendance and----"
+
+"Let me in here," someone demanded. The minister stopped in the middle
+of a sentence and turned in the direction of the authoritative voice.
+He saw McMichael elbowing his way through the crowd to the center of
+the ring where his friend Springer and himself were facing each other.
+
+"Benton, your damn Klan has played hell in this community." The lawyer
+spoke in a loud, harsh voice.
+
+"You seem to be excited. What is the trouble?" the minister asked.
+
+"Trouble enough. Now that we have Dan Brown as sheriff, Stanton as
+county attorney and Rider as judge, all of them Klansmen, life and
+property will not be safe in Wilford Springs and there will be no
+justice."
+
+"You are mistaken, Mr. McMichael. Bootleggers and gamblers are
+objecting now because they are getting justice."
+
+"No one can get justice in a community where there are Klan officials.
+If I were governor of this state, do you know what I would do?"
+
+"No, I don't have any idea what you would do as governor," the minister
+replied.
+
+"Well, sir, I'll tell you what I would do. I'd put every town that has
+Klan officers under martial law until the people of the town forced the
+Klan officials to resign."
+
+"Well, Mr. McMichael," said Benton, laughing, "if you were governor
+and should attempt to coerce the people and trample upon their sacred
+rights in such a despotic manner, I fear that you wouldn't long remain
+governor; but would soon join the ranks of the has-beens along with
+ex-governor Slydell and others who made fools of themselves." The crowd
+laughed and applauded and the minister made his way through the crowd
+and started for home.
+
+As Rev. Benton and Mr. Jackson walked up the street together they met a
+dapper young man and a girl of the flapper type.
+
+"That is Chester Golter, Stover's nephew," Jackson volunteered.
+
+"I have heard of him but have never seen him to know who he was before.
+And who is the young lady with him?"
+
+"Her name is Gladys Glendenning. She has been here for a few weeks
+teaching dancing lessons."
+
+The following day Rev. Benton saw in the paper an account of the
+marriage of Gladys Glendenning to Chester Golter and a few days later
+notice of a breach of promise suit brought against Chester Golter by
+Pearl Gardner who asked twenty thousand dollars as heart balm. Later he
+heard that the case was settled out of court for three thousand dollars.
+
+"I wouldn't think that a heart that has been wounded through misplaced
+love could be repaired by payment of money," remarked Mrs. Benton.
+
+"My dear, money can not heal a heart wound that is very deep," replied
+the minister, and then added, "a girl who would ask to have her fiance
+frightened into keeping his engagement is entirely lacking in true love
+upon which real homes are built and which binds hearts together through
+both sunshine and storm."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXIX
+
+
+Ruth Babcock was seated at the dresser curling her hair when her aunt
+entered the room. "Going out tonight, Ruth?"
+
+"Yes, Mr. King and I are going to drive to Zala."
+
+"Anything of interest going on?"
+
+"Yes, a very interesting affair--rather private--only a select few
+invited, you know."
+
+When her aunt left the room Ruth fell into a reverie. She thought of
+the past years of anxiety and hardship; they were behind her now. The
+last few months had removed so much of care and restored so much of the
+lightness of heart that she had known before her father was injured
+that she felt like a new creature.
+
+Jim Stover had been convicted of fraud and forgery and sentenced from
+ten to twenty years in the penitentiary. John Hinds, who was the
+principal witness against Stover, was sentenced to a short term in the
+penitentiary but was paroled on account of his poor health. Babcock and
+Watson had recovered through civil suits the value of the bank stock
+of which Stover had defrauded them. Mr. Babcock had been operated on
+by Dr. Lilly and had fully recovered. He now remembered every detail
+of the transaction by which Stover came into possession of the bank.
+With the return of his money and restored health he again engaged in
+business. As Ruth thought of the restored health of her father and
+the love of the strong young man who had been such a good friend and
+gallant suitor she felt that she had every reason to be thankful, and
+that there certainly never had lived a happier mortal than she.
+
+It was seven o'clock when Harold called for her in his limousine. It
+was a balmy May evening. The breezes from the meadows and pastures were
+laden with the breath of wild flowers. Young rabbits hopped into the
+hedges along the way and occasionally a foolish one would get in front
+of the car and try to outrun it. A red bird in a hedge row was singing
+a blithe song. Harold stopped the car that they might enjoy the music.
+It was still light enough for them to discover the cause of his joy.
+He was singing to his mate, who as a good wife and homemaker, was on
+a nest nearby. As they rode past farm houses they heard the lowing of
+cattle and the bleating of sheep. When they passed near a pond they
+heard a bull-frog with a basso-profundo serenading his lady love. What
+a night for lovers!
+
+"Harold," said Ruth, "you remember that I won the three wishes when we
+pulled the wish bone?"
+
+"Yes, and I won the two."
+
+"Mine have all come true."
+
+"What were they? You told me that when they came true you would tell
+me."
+
+"I wished that my father would get well; that you would land the hotel
+job at the capital, and that I would get an increase in wages. They all
+came true, but my increase in wages came from a different source than I
+had expected. Now you must tell me what your wishes were."
+
+"Only one of mine has come true."
+
+"What was it?" she asked.
+
+"I mustn't tell until the other one comes true. You know you said that
+if one told before all of the wishes came true the unfulfilled ones
+would not come true."
+
+"I know I did, but I believe that part of the wish charm is
+superstition. I don't think it will make any difference. Come on and
+tell me."
+
+"Oh, no, young lady, you don't work me like that. I am not taking any
+chances."
+
+When they arrived at Zala they drove at once to the parsonage where the
+old pastor who had preached Ruth's mother's funeral resided. A half
+dozen of Ruth's girl friends were at the gate to meet them. "We have
+been here waiting for almost an hour," one of the girls said.
+
+In the minister's little study Ruth and Harold clasped hands,
+symbolizing the union of their lives in love, while their vows were
+being solemnized, which bound them--even unto death.
+
+On the way home Harold said, "Now, Ruth, I can tell you the wishes; the
+other one has come true. I wished that I might be able to help your
+father secure the money that had been stolen from him, and I think you
+can guess what the other was."
+
+"It must have been that you would get to Zala without having any engine
+trouble or puncturing a tire," she said, laughing.
+
+"You are very dense, my darling, my wife," he said, as he put his arm
+around her and kissed her.
+
+"Now be careful. You can't drive with one hand. You will run the car
+into the ditch," she cautioned.
+
+They were about half way back to Wilford Springs when Ruth exclaimed,
+"Oh, look there, there's a fiery cross!"
+
+"It must be the Trenton Klan having a meeting."
+
+"Isn't the cross beautiful and inspiring?"
+
+"Yes, and it represents a wonderful movement. A movement that will mean
+a better citizenship."
+
+"Just what is the significance of the fiery cross? Of course I know
+that the cross is the symbol of the Christian religion, but why a fiery
+cross?"
+
+"The cross was made red with the blood of the Savior, the great
+Sacrifice for the sins of the world. As we behold this fiery cross we
+see in it the symbol of the love of God for humanity and the suggestion
+for unselfish service. There is also another meaning attached to it. It
+has a militant significance. It is the signal for the assembling of the
+Klansmen.
+
+"In the old days in Scotland, when any great danger threatened their
+nation and it became necessary for the Klans to assemble for the
+defense of their country, a cross was made of wood and set afire. The
+fiery brand was then quenched in the blood of a sacrifice. The chief
+commander then gave the symbol to a Klansman to carry and pass to
+another, who in turn should carry it, and so on, until it had been
+carried through the territory of every Klan. The Klansman carrying this
+fiery cross would shout the name of the muster-place. No true Klansman
+who saw the cross and heard the muster-place called would fail to be at
+the gathering. And he to whom the runner passed the emblem must carry
+it on.
+
+"Scott in his 'Lady of the Lake' shows the loyalty of the Klansmen and
+the women of the Klan. He tells of this summons to the gathering being
+carried into a home where the master of the house lay a corpse. The
+Klansman, to whom the cross was to have been passed, is dead, but his
+son takes his place. If I can recall the lines I will repeat them for
+you." After a moment of silence he quoted:
+
+   'All stand aghast: unheeding all,
+ The henchman bursts into the hall;
+ Before the dead man's bier he stood;
+ Held forth the cross besmeared with blood;
+ "The muster-place is Lanrick mead;
+ Speed forth the signal! Klansman, speed!"
+   Angus, the heir of Duncan's line,
+ Sprung forth and seized the fatal sign.
+ In haste the stripling to his side
+ His father's dirk and broadsword tied;
+ But when he saw his mother's eye
+ Watch him in speechless agony,
+ Back to her open'd arms he flew,
+ Pressed on her lips a fond adieu--
+ "Alas," she sobbed, "and yet begone,
+ And speed thee forth, like Duncan's son."
+
+        *       *       *       *       *
+
+ He vanished and o'er moor and moss
+ Sped forward with the Fiery Cross.'
+
+"Good," she said, "that makes this emblem mean so much to me now."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Fred," said Aunt Clara, "it's almost eleven o'clock. Ruth should be
+getting home."
+
+"She will be back before long," Mr. Babcock replied.
+
+"I expect Ruth and Mr. King will be getting married some of these
+times. She hasn't had anything to do with Mr. Golter since she quit
+work at the bank."
+
+"And what's more, Clara, I don't want a girl of mine to have anything
+to do with that kind of stock."
+
+"Golter has money, and that means a lot these days," Clara commented,
+and then added, "but Mr. King has picked up wonderfully in the last few
+months."
+
+"Harold King is a man," said Babcock.
+
+Footsteps were heard on the porch. "There they come, now," said Clara.
+
+The door was thrown open and Ruth and Harold entered.
+
+"Well, Miss Babcock," said her father, smiling, "you have returned."
+
+"No," she answered, "Miss Babcock has not returned and never will
+return. Allow me to introduce my husband."
+
+"What, you're not married!" exclaimed Aunt Clara.
+
+"Yes, didn't I tell you that a very interesting affair was to take
+place at Zala tonight?"
+
+Mr. Babcock stepped between his daughter and his son and placed his arm
+around her and a hand on his new son's shoulder. "Children," he said,
+"I wish you the greatest of happiness, and may God crown your lives
+with his richest blessings."
+
+
+The End
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Harold the Klansman, by George Alfred Brown
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 59868 ***