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diff --git a/old/67876-h/67876-h.htm b/old/67876-h/67876-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 87bc2b6..0000000 --- a/old/67876-h/67876-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,18168 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tom Watson's Magazine, Vol. I, No. 3, by Tom Watson. - </title> - - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; } - -h1,h2,h3 { text-align: center; clear: both; } - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} -h1 {page-break-before: always; } - -.covernote {visibility: hidden; display: none;} -@media handheld { - .covernote {visibility: visible; display: block;} -} - -p { margin-top: .51em; text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.5em; margin-bottom: .49em; } -p.no-indent { margin-top: .51em; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0em; margin-bottom: .49em;} -p.indent { text-indent: 1.5em;} -p.f90 { font-size: 90%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -p.f120 { font-size: 120%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -p.f150 { font-size: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -p.f200 { font-size: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -.bigfont { font-size: 200%; vertical-align: middle;} - -.space-above1 { margin-top: 1em; } -.space-above2 { margin-top: 2em; } -.space-above3 { padding-top: 1em; } -.space-below1 { margin-bottom: 1em; } -.space-below2 { margin-bottom: 2em; } - -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%; } -hr.r25 {width: 25%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 37.5%; margin-right: 37.5%; } -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; } -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%; } -hr.full {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%; } - -table { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } -.tdl {text-align: left;} -.tdr {text-align: right;} -.tdc {text-align: center;} -.tdr_ws1 {text-align: right; vertical-align: top; padding-right: 1em;} -.bt {border-top: thin solid black; padding-left: 0.5em;} -.pad {padding-left: 3em;} - -.pagenum { position: absolute; - left: 92%; font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} - -.blockquot { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; } -.bbox {border: solid 1px; padding: 0.5em;} -.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0; } -.right {text-align: right; text-indent: 0; } -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.news p { - padding-left: 4em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.news p.day { - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -img {max-width: 100%; height: auto;} - -p.drop-cap { text-indent: 0em; } -p.drop-cap:first-letter -{ - float: left; - margin: 0.15em 0.1em 0em 0em; - font-size: 250%; - line-height:0.85em; - text-indent: 0em; - margin-top: 0.1em; -} - -.poetry-container { text-align: center; } -.poem { margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; - display: inline-block; text-align: left; } -.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left:0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -.ws3 {display: inline; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em;} -.ws5 {display: inline; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 5em;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tom Watson's Magazine, Vol. I, No. 3, May 1905, by Various</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Tom Watson's Magazine, Vol. I, No. 3, May 1905</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Various</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Editor: Tom Watson</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: April 19, 2022 [eBook #67876]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: hekula03 and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM WATSON'S MAGAZINE, VOL. I, NO. 3, MAY 1905 ***</div> - -<div class="transnote bbox covernote"> - -<p class="f120 space-above1">Transcriber’s Note:</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="indent">The cover was created by the transcriber using elements -from the original cover, and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent"><b>“TOM WATSON”</b></p> -<p class="blockquot no-indent">is the one historian through whom we get the point -of view of the laborer, the mechanic, the plain man, in a style that is -bold, racy and unconventional. There is no other who traces so vividly -the life of a <i>people</i> from the time they were savages until they -became the most polite and cultured of European nations, as he does in</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent"><b>THE STORY OF FRANCE</b></p> -<p class="center">In two handsome volumes, dark red cloth, gilt tops, price $5.00.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“It is well called a story, for it reads like a fascinating -romance.”—<i>Plaindealer</i>, Cleveland.</p> - -<p class="space-below2">“A most brilliant, vigorous, human-hearted story this: -so broad in its sympathies, so vigorous in its presentations, so vital, so -piquant, lively and interesting. It will be read wherever the history -of France interests men, which is everywhere.”—<i>New York Times’ Sat. Review.</i></p> - -</div> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent"><b>NAPOLEON</b></p> -<p class="center"><b>A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE, CHARACTER,<br />STRUGGLES AND ACHIEVEMENTS.</b></p> - -<p class="center">Illustrated with Portraits and Facsimiles.<br /> -Cloth, 8vo, $2.25 net. (Postage 20c.)</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>“The Splendid Study of a Splendid Genius” is the caption of a -double-column editorial mention of this book in <i>The New York American -and Journal</i> when it first appeared. The comment urged every reader of -that paper to read the book and continued:</p> - -<p>“There does not live a man who will not be enlarged in his thinking -processes, there does not live a boy who will not be made more -ambitious by honest study of Watson’s Napoleon * * *</p> - -<p>“If you want the best obtainable, most readable, most intelligent, -most genuinely American study of this great character, read Watson’s -history of Napoleon.”</p> - -</div> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent"><b>“TOM WATSON”</b></p> - -<p class="blockquot no-indent">in these books does far more than make -history as readable as a novel of the best sort. He tells the truth -with fire and life, not only of events and causes, but of their -consequences to and their influence on the great mass of people at large. -They are epoch-making books which every American should read and own.</p> - -<p class="center space-above2 space-below2">Orders for the above books will be filled by<br /> -<span class="smcap">Tom Watson’s Magazine</span>, 121 West 42nd Street, New York City.</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<h1>TOM WATSON’S MAGAZINE</h1> -<p class="f90">THE MAGAZINE WITH A PURPOSE BACK OF IT</p> -<p class="f150"><b>May, 1905</b></p> - -<hr class="r25" /> - -<table summary=" " cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> - <tbody> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>Politics and Economics</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Thomas E. Watson</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Politics_and_Economics">257</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><small><i>Public Ownership in Chicago—A Bitter - Attack Upon the South—Remember the Rascals—<br />Introductory to a Letter from - a Boy—An Educational Department—Editorial Comment.</i></small></td> - <td class="tdr"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>The Lady’s Slipper</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Cyrus Townsend Brady</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#The_Ladys_Slipper">273</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>Populism</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Charles Q. De France</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Populism">305</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr_ws1" colspan="2"><small><i>Secretary People’s Party National Committee</i></small></td> - <td class="tdr"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>To Roosevelt</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#To_Roosevelt">307</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>The Regalia of Money</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Alexander Del Mar</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#The_Regalia_of_Money">308</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>The Open Door of the Constitution</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Frederick Upham Adams</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#The_Open_Door_of_the_Constitution">312</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>To One Departed</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Bernard P. Bogy</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#To_One_Departed">317</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>Pole Baker</i> (Chapters IV-VII)</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Will N. Harben</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Pole_Baker">318</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>The Conservative of Today</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>John H. Girdner, M.D.</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#The_Conservative_of_Today">330</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>A Character Study of Byron and Burns</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Elizabeth Bailey Traylor</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#A_Character_Study_of_Byron_and_Burns">333</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>The Man With White Nails</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Captain W. E. P. French, U.S.A.</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#The_Man_With_White_Nails">336</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>Organization and Education</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Wharton Barker</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Organization_and_Education">342</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>The Panic of 1893</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>W. S. Morgan</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#The_Panic_of_1893">345</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>The Cradle of Tears</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Theodore Dreiser</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#The_Cradle_of_Tears">349</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>The Racing Trust</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Thomas B. Fielders</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#The_Racing_Trust">350</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>Dependence</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Reginald Wright Kauffman</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Dependence">357</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>What Buzz-Saw Morgan Thinks</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#What_Buzz-Saw_Morgan_Thinks">358</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>The Heritage of Maxwell Fair</i> (Chapters VIII-X)</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Vincent Harper</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#The_Heritage_of_Maxwell_Fair">361</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>Money and Prices</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>E. L. Smith</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Money_and_Prices">372</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>The Say of Reform Editors</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#The_Say_of_Reform_Editors">373</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>News Record</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#News_Record">377</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><i>Toll</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"><i>Joseph Dana Miller</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Toll">384</a></td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p class="f90 space-above1">Application made for entry as Second-Class Matter at<br /> -New York (N. Y.) Post Office, March, 1905<br />Copyright, 1905, in U. S. and Great Britain.<br /> -Published by <span class="smcap">Tom Watson’s Magazine</span>,<br />121 West 42d Street, N. Y.</p> - -<p class="center">TERMS: $1.00 A YEAR; 10 CENTS A NUMBER</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p class="f90">TOM WATSON’S MAGAZINE ADVERTISER</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent">How to Overthrow Plutocracy</p> - -<p>Several million people in the United States are in substantial accord with the -demands of the People’s Party. A majority of all voters would welcome Government -Ownership of Railroads and other public utilities. The recent great victory in Chicago -for Municipal Ownership demonstrates this fact. What Chicago has done locally can -be accomplished in the nation—and WILL be done as soon as the people overcome</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent">Political Inertia</p> - -<p>With many the voting habit becomes fixed after one or two elections. The ordinary -man keeps on “voting ’er straight” long after he has discovered that his party’s actions -are out of joint with his own views. Party “regularity” commands the average man’s -support long after he KNOWS his party is headed wrong. Some really great men, -even, have placed party “regularity” before principle.</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent">A Great Light</p> - -<p>on the correct principle of organization is to be found in that admirable work by George -Gordon Hastings,</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent">The First American King</p> - -<p>A dashing romance, in which a scientist and a detective of today wake up seventy-five -years later to find His Majesty, Imperial and Royal, William I, Emperor of the -United States and King of the Empire State of New York, ruling the land, with the -real power in the hands of half a dozen huge trusts. Automobiles have been replaced -by phaërmobiles; air-ships sail above the surface of the earth; there has been a successful -war against Russia; a social revolution is brewing. The book is both an -enthralling romance and a serious sociological study, which scourges unmercifully the -society and politics of the present time, many of whose brightest stars reappear in the -future under thinly disguised names. There are wit and humor and sarcasm galore—a -stirring tale of adventure and a charming love story.</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent">Hon. Thomas E. Watson says:</p> - -<p>“I read ‘The First American King,’ and found it one of the most interesting books -I ever opened. Mr. Hastings has not only presented a profound study of our social -and economic conditions, but he has made the story one of fascination. It reminds me -at times of Bellamy’s ‘Looking Backward,’ but the story is told with so much more -human interest, the situations themselves are so much more dramatic, that it impresses -me very much more favorably than any book of that kind I have ever known.”</p> - -<p>Interesting as the story is as a romance and as a critical sociological study, one of -its vitally important points is</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent">How to Organize</p> - -<p><b>Mr. Hastings says:</b></p> - -<p>“It has been suggested,” continued General Mainwarren, “that a wise course for -patriotic leaders of your day would have been to have abandoned the hope of converting -and securing the grown voters as a body. It would have been best for them, at a -given time, to have said: ‘Beginning from today, we will pay no attention to any male -who is more than fifteen years of age and who is now, or within the next six years will -be, entitled to a vote. But we will direct all efforts to an entirely new body of -suffragists.’ They should then have turned their attention to the <i>women of the land</i>, to -the mothers of future generations of voters. It has been said that ‘Every woman is at -heart a royalist.’ It could with equal truth be said: ‘Every woman is by nature a -politician.’ ... Look at the influence exerted politically by various women of -whom history speaks.”</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent">This Is the Key-Note of Success</p> - -<p>For fifteen years the People’s Party, in season and out of season, has preached -“Equal Rights to All, Special Privileges to None.” It has persistently demanded that -government shall attend to public matters, and that private business shall be conducted -by individuals with the least possible interference—and absolutely no favoritism—by -government. It has continually demanded public ownership and government -operation of railroads and other public utilities. It has urged the initiative, referendum -and the recall; a scientific money system; the abolition of monopoly in every form. -Millions of voters—as the Chicago election clearly indicates—are in accord with the -People’s Party; but heretofore the voting habit, the “vote ’er straight” political -insanity, has kept them in political slavery.</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent">Educate the Boys</p> - -<p>Let us train up a new generation of voters—without diminishing our efforts to -break up old party habits—who will have the courage of conviction and correct ideas -regarding politics and economics. Let us interest the mothers, so we can have the -boys taught to cast their first votes on the side of Justice. Habit will then keep them -voting right.</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent">Let Us Begin Now</p> - -<p>Mr. Hastings’s book is a thought-provoker. It combines romance with sociology -and teaches while entertaining. With “The First American King” and TOM WATSON’S -MAGAZINE in another 100,000 homes, our first great step will be taken toward -overcoming plutocracy. With this end in view, we have made arrangements whereby -we can offer a dollar book, 350 pages, and a dollar magazine one year, 128 pages -monthly, both for only $1.50.</p> - -<p class="bigfont no-indent">Tom Watson’s Magazine and -The First American King $1.50</p> - -<p>In order to treat all alike, the book will be sent postpaid to any present subscriber -of TOM WATSON’S MAGAZINE on receipt of 60 cents. No person not a subscriber -can buy “The First American King” of us for a cent less than $1.00. If you have not -already subscribed for the magazine, send us $1.50 today for this attractive combination, -and expedite the work of building up the People’s Party of the future.</p> - -<p class="center">Address all orders to</p> - -<p class="f120">TOM WATSON’S MAGAZINE, 121 West 42d Street, New York</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_257"></a>[Pg 257]</span></p> - -<p class="f200"><b><i><span class="smcap">Tom Watson’s Magazine</span></i></b></p> - -<p class="f120"><span class="smcap">Vol. I</span> <span class="ws3">MAY, 1905</span> <span class="ws3">No. 3</span></p> - -<hr class="r25" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="Politics_and_Economics" id="Politics_and_Economics"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Politics and Economics</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY THOMAS E. WATSON</p> - -<h3><i>Public Ownership in Chicago</i></h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">SEVERAL weeks ago, in an interview -published in the New -York <i>World</i>, I expressed the -opinion that the principle of public -ownership of public utilities was -stronger than any political party.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The recent victory won by it in Chicago -makes the truth of that statement -apparent.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Here was a city which a few months -ago gave the Republican ticket the -enormous majority of 60,000. So far -as parties are concerned, the Republican -Party stands precisely where -it stood when Roosevelt won that -triumph. So far as the Democratic -Party is concerned, it has not budged -an inch from the ground which it occupied -when it met its Waterloo in the -November elections. What is it, then, -which gave to the candidate of the -minority party a decisive success, so -soon after an overwhelming defeat? -Evidently, it was <i>the principle which -he represented</i>.</p> - -<p>The National Democratic Party has -never declared itself in favor of public -ownership. The National Republican -Party has never done so. <i>The People’s -Party is the only National organization -which has proclaimed and battled for the -principle which was involved in the Chicago -election.</i></p> - -<p>So far back as 1890 the People’s -Party of the state of Georgia, and of -other states, grew tired of the deceptive -compromise called <i>Public Control</i>; -threw it aside as a failure; boldly advanced -to the more radical ground of -<i>Public Ownership</i>, and formed its line -of battle. In spite of abuse, ridicule -and defeat, our party has never faltered -in its steady advocacy of the -principle which at that time met the -aggressive opposition of both the -Democratic and Republican Parties. -<i>In the campaigns made by Mr. Bryan -he stood for no such principle as this.</i> -In the campaign led by Belmont and -Parker and Gorman in 1904 <i>the Democratic -Party stood for no such principle -as this</i>; nor has the Republican Party -ever dared to proclaim itself in favor -of such robust radicalism. Therefore, -it is folly to say that the victory won in -the Chicago election is a Democratic -victory. It is misleading to say that -this election illustrates the fact that -“the Democratic Party always wins -when it is Democratic.” The principle -of public ownership has never been a -part of the political stock in trade of -the Democratic Party. Therefore the -principle of public ownership of public -utilities cannot be classed as Democratic, -if we use the term in the partisan -sense which attaches to it. <i>The principle -of public ownership is Populistic</i>, -and it is merely rendering to the pioneers -of that movement simple justice -when we say that the Chicago election, -which wiped out party lines and gave -to the people and to the principle a -magnificent victory, <i>should redound to -the credit of those much-abused and misrepresented -men who thirteen years ago -unfurled that particular flag and began -to fight beneath it</i>.</p> - -<p>The people of Chicago evidently -grew tired of being plundered; grew<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_258"></a>[Pg 258]</span> -ashamed of their own political imbecility; -grew ashamed of their own -municipal cowardice. Roused to action -by a few magnetic leaders who -were not afraid and who were not to be -sidetracked by hypocritical compromises, -they marshaled their strength -and demonstrated how easy it is for the -masses to throw off the yoke of those -who plunder them under forms of law. -Nobody ever doubted for a moment -that the people of Chicago, in the main, -were honest, courageous, public-spirited, -but they had submitted so long -to the initiative and the domination of -a few organized rascals who intrenched -themselves in places of power, safeguarded -by legislation, that it seemed -wellnigh hopeless to expect them ever -to revolt. The fact that they have revolted, -and have reversed the results -achieved at the November election, -gives another illustration of what I -said in the first issue of this magazine, -namely, that <i>the election of 1904</i>, properly -construed, <i>was so encouraging to -the reformers as to become an inspiration</i>. -It was pointed out that the victory -of Douglas in Massachusetts, of -Folk in Missouri, of La Follette in Wisconsin, -each of whom was known as a -reformer, could be construed in no other -way than that the people were tired of -party names, of party traditions, of -party machines and party hypocrisy, -and <i>were determined to go to the support -of any man and any principle which -promised them the relief which they -so much needed</i>. The triumph of -Judge Dunne, the Democrat, following -so speedily upon the heels of an adverse -vote against Judge Parker, the -Democrat, absolutely clinches the truth -of what I said, namely, that <i>the only -party, the only principle, the only sentiment -which grew stronger by the campaign -of 1904 was that of</i> <span class="smcap">radicalism</span>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Why shouldn’t the lesson of the -Chicago election be taken to heart by -every great city and every small town -in this Republic? If the people of -Chicago can turn the rascals out, the -people of New York can turn the rascals -out, the people of Philadelphia -can turn the rascals out. Talk about -vested rights and charters which grant -monopolies! Nobody wants to confiscate -property or violate contracts, -no matter how ill-judged those contracts -may have been. But we say -this: Just as private property was assessed -and taken under the principle of -Eminent Domain, in order that corporations -should construct their railways, -their telegraph lines, their telephone -lines, so the same principle of Eminent -Domain can be applied to return to the -people what was taken away from the -people. Assess these properties at a -fair valuation, pay honestly and fully -what they are worth, then take them -over for the public to be operated for -the benefit of the public. The law -of Eminent Domain can be applied to -all sorts of property, real and personal, -the tangible thing called an acre of -ground and the intangible thing called -a charter.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Consider this Chicago election in the -broad National point of view. How -can it give any encouragement to Mr. -Roosevelt, who is still tinkering and -pottering at the worn-out fabric of -<i>Governmental control</i>? How can it give -any encouragement to the Democratic -Party, which has nothing in its platform -which can be twisted into a declaration -in favor of that thing which Chicago -has just done? So far from being -a vindication of the Democratic attitude, -as expressed in all of its National -platforms, it is a rebuke to the timid, -weak-kneed, short-sighted leaders of -National Democracy. The vindication -is to those men, who, in the years -gone by, proclaimed the principles, -preached the gospel, scattered the literature, -endured the odium, fought the -battle, bore the heat and burden of the -day, and are now in this late hour looking -up, elated, joyful, exultant, happy, -that at last the smile of success has -rested upon the earnest, untiring efforts -which have gone so long without recognition -and reward.</p> - -<p>The victor in the Chicago election -was <i>the great Populist Principle</i>, <span class="smcap">Public -Ownership</span>!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_259"></a>[Pg 259]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3><i>A Bitter Attack Upon the South</i></h3> - -<p>Ever since the close of the Civil -War there has been a growing sentiment -on both sides of Mason and -Dixon’s line in favor of mutual forbearance, -the purpose being to speed -the day when the North and South -shall become reconciled.</p> - -<p>In the South no speaker will now -add to his popularity or influence by -reckless abuse of the North.</p> - -<p>We had supposed that the North -was equally tired of the speaker or -writer who puts the torch to sectional -prejudice or who wantonly inflicts -upon the South a blow which he must -realize will arouse angry resentment.</p> - -<p>When the last gun was fired at Appomattox, -the biggest, bravest, best -hearted men on each side united in the -effort to stem the tide of sectional -hatred and to knit together the bonds -of brotherly love.</p> - -<p>General Grant, by his magnanimity -at the surrender, set a sublime standard.</p> - -<p>General Lee, by his noble advice -and example, gave the South a lesson -whose influence for good cannot be -overestimated.</p> - -<p>Horace Greeley, when he volunteered -to sign the bond of Jefferson Davis, -and Senator L. Q. C. Lamar, of Mississippi, -when he pronounced a magnificent -memorial address upon -Charles Sumner in the Senate, were -but following the illustrious precedents -of Grant and Lee.</p> - -<p>Later, there came the mission of -Henry Grady and of John B. Gordon, -upon the one side, and the conciliatory -words and deeds of William -McKinley on the other.</p> - -<p>Nor should we forget the fine tribute -paid to Southern character and courage -in the writings of Theodore Roosevelt, -who as President has honored the -sons of Stonewall Jackson, Jeb Stuart -and General Beauregard, and who, in -one of his latest appointments, has -given preference to General Rosser, -the youngest of the Confederate brigadiers.</p> - -<p>The battle-scarred veterans of the -North have been meeting in memorable -reunions the survivors of those -who followed Johnston and Forrest -and Jackson and Lee; and the most -touching and inspiring scenes have -been witnessed at these encampments -where the South and the North recognized -each other’s honesty, valor and -generosity, and each section vied with -the other in the glorious work of harmonizing -the nation.</p> - -<p>At the grave of General Grant it was -the presence of our Southern soldier, -John B. Gordon, which testified to the -North the sympathy of the South.</p> - -<p>And only a few days ago President -Roosevelt inquired diligently into the -circumstances of the widowed Mrs. -Gordon to know whether or not an -appointment as Postmaster for the -city of Atlanta would be acceptable to -her.</p> - -<p>During the Spanish war the South -sprang into the ranks under the old -flag, at the tap of the drum, and the -blood of a Southern boy was the first -that was shed in the conflict.</p> - -<p>It was the ranking cavalry leader -of the expiring Confederacy who -steadied the lines before Santiago, -prevented a retreat, and brought from -Mr. Roosevelt the manly acknowledgment -that to General Joseph Wheeler, -more than to any other man, was due -the fact that we won the victory.</p> - -<p>It was a Southern boy who took his -life in his hands in the effort to block -the Spanish harbor, and worthily -earned the title of “The Hero of the -<i>Merrimac</i>.”</p> - -<p>It is sad to think that all this patriotism -may not have made a deep impression -upon the country.</p> - -<p>It is sad to realize that the work of -such men as Alexander H. Stephens, -Benjamin H. Hill, Senator Lamar, -Thomas Nelson Page and Henry W. -Grady has left so much still to be done -before that man, North or South, who -endeavors to inflame the passions of -the sections shall be made to feel that -he has excited for himself the contempt -and disgust which he deserves.</p> - -<p>In a recent issue of the New York -<i>Independent</i> comes Albert Bushnell<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_260"></a>[Pg 260]</span> -Hart, Professor of History at Harvard -University, distilling as much bitterness -and gall as ever fell from the lips -of John J. Ingalls or Thaddeus Stevens.</p> - -<p>He writes an article called “Conditions -of the Southern Problem,” and -a more thoroughly exaggerated and -libelous contribution to public discussion -has not been made during the -last twenty years.</p> - -<p>The average reader will get some -idea of the value of Mr. Hart’s conclusions -when he comes upon the sober -statement that “white mountaineers -(of the South) have been known <i>to take -their children out of school because the -teacher would insist that the world is -round</i>.”</p> - -<p>Who stuffed Dr. Hart with that old -joke?</p> - -<p>What credit does he do to himself -when he shows to the world that he -accepts such worn-out jests as facts?</p> - -<p>Does he not know that there are -plenty of wags all over the world—even -in Pullman cars—who take a delight -in playing upon the credulous?</p> - -<p>He will meet men who will tell him -that in certain backwoods communities -“the people don’t know that the -war is over,” or he will be told that in -some mountain counties “they are -still voting for Andrew Jackson.”</p> - -<p>But would Professor Hart take such -statements for anything but jokes?</p> - -<p>Doesn’t he know that the jest about -the rural belief that the world is flat -instead of round belongs to the same -gray-haired family?</p> - -<p>Even a professor of history should -learn that there is just as great a difference -between jokes and facts as there -is between facts and jokes.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Professor Hart says that “in a few -communities, notably South Carolina, -the poor whites have unaccountably -discovered that if they will always -vote together they always have a -majority, and they keep a man of their -own type in the United States Senate. -In most other states, however, politics -is directed by intelligent and honorable -men.”</p> - -<p>Isn’t this a rippingly reckless arraignment -of the entire state of South -Carolina? Does the Professor of History -at Harvard mean to say that the -politics of South Carolina is directed -by men less intelligent and honorable -than those of “<i>most other states</i>”?</p> - -<p>If so, upon what ground does he -base the accusation?</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact, the poor whites -do not control South Carolina. It is -<i>the middle class</i> whites who control -South Carolina, and who elected Ben -Tillman to the United States Senate.</p> - -<p>Of course, Professor Hart intended -to give Senator Tillman a side-wipe of -special vigor, and he did it, striking -the whole state at the same time he -struck Tillman. But to what extent -was the blow deserved? Ben Tillman -may, or may not, be an ideal Senator. -He may, or may not, be an ideal -leader. Opinions differ about that, -even in South Carolina.</p> - -<p>But why should a Northern writer -select a Southern senator and a -Southern state to be held up in this -insulting manner to public odium? -In what respect does Tillman’s record -in the Senate, for honesty and ability, -compare unfavorably with that of -Quay of Pennsylvania, Platt of New -York, Aldrich of Rhode Island, or -Gorman of Maryland? Each one of -those senators has been basely subservient -to thievish corporations, and -has helped them to fatten on national -legislation at the expense of the great -body of the people.</p> - -<p>Can Dr. Hart say that of Ben Tillman? -I defy him to do it.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Dr. Hart asks, “Why should the -negro expect protection <i>when the white -man is powerless against any personal -white enemy who chooses to shoot him -down in the street</i>, when not one white -murderer in a hundred is punished for -his crime?”</p> - -<p>Dr. Albert Bushnell Hart is evidently -thinking about the case of James -Tillman, of South Carolina, who shot -down in the street Editor Gonzales, -and who was acquitted, on his trial.</p> - -<p>By all sane persons it is admitted to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_261"></a>[Pg 261]</span> -be utterly unfair to judge the entire -South, or North, by any one case, or -by any one crime.</p> - -<p>It is useless to argue the guilt or -innocence of James Tillman; but we -all know that human nature is prejudiced -by political feeling; and none -will deny that the feud between Tillman -and Gonzales was a political feud. -The killing was a political killing. In -a case like that the action of court -and jury will be influenced by political -feeling, whether the result be right -or wrong.</p> - -<p>Has Albert Bushnell Hart never -heard of a political feud in any other -part of the world than the South, and -has he never known political feeling to -protect one who was prosecuted for a -crime? Has he never known of instances -in Northern cities where prisoners -at the Bar apparently owed their -salvation to <i>secret societies</i> of any sort—or -<i>to political pull</i> of any sort?</p> - -<p>It has not been so very long since -Edward S. Stokes met James Fisk on -the staircase, in the Grand Central -Hotel, in New York City, <i>and shot him -down</i>.</p> - -<p>One might think this amounted to -about the same thing as the shooting -down of a personal enemy on the -street.</p> - -<p>Fisk died, as Gonzales died. Stokes -was tried, as Tillman was tried. Stokes -was not hanged in New York any more -than Tillman was hanged in South -Carolina.</p> - -<p>Will Dr. Hart please furnish an explanation -which will not fit the South -Carolina case as snugly as it fits the -New York case?</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Professor Hart asks, “Why should -the Northern people believe that the -South means well by the negro when -such a man as Governor Vardaman, -of Mississippi, brutally threatens him -and his white friends in the North?”</p> - -<p><i>When and where has Governor James -K. Vardaman “brutally threatened the -negro and his Northern friends”?</i></p> - -<p>Governor Vardaman, not many days -ago, <i>risked his political life</i>, to say -nothing of personal danger, <i>to protect -a negro from a white mob</i>. Perhaps -every white man in the mob had voted -for Vardaman, and was his personal -and political friend; yet, although it -was generally believed that the negro -was guilty of a heinous offense, this -Governor, who has been singled out -for abuse, did not hesitate one moment -to jeopardize his whole political future -by throwing around the hunted negro -the official protection of the law.</p> - -<p>No matter how much Governor Vardaman -may be mistaken in some of -his views, and some of his utterances, -no man ought now to deny that he -possesses personal and political courage, -or that his respect for law is of -that high character which proclaims, -“<i>The color of a man’s skin shall not -be the measure of his legal rights</i>.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Furthermore, Dr. Hart says, “in -one respect the poor whites are terrible -teachers to the negroes; they are -an ungovernable people and <i>do not -allow themselves to be punished for such -peccadillos as murder</i>.”</p> - -<p>O Mr. Professor of History at Harvard! -has your blind passion against -the South lost you to all sense of proportion -in the making of public statements?</p> - -<p>If the poor whites of the South “do -not allow themselves to be punished -for such little things as murder,” why -do they go to the penitentiary at all?</p> - -<p>You will find a sufficient number of -poor whites in the penitentiaries of the -South—are they there just for the fun -of it?</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Speaking of the negro, Dr. Hart -again says, “he may not murder or -assault, or even speak saucily to a -white person, on most dreadful penalties. -Partly for self-protection, still -more from a feeling of race supremacy, -it is made a kind of <i>lèse-majesté</i> for a -negro to lay hands on a white man; -even to defend his family or his own -life, the serpent must not bite the heel -of the chosen people.”</p> - -<p>What utter disregard of facts!</p> - -<p>Let me cite a few cases which come -within my personal knowledge.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_262"></a>[Pg 262]</span></p> - -<p>In McIntosh County, Georgia, one -of the most prominent white planters -was deputized by the sheriff to arrest -a negro who had been engaged in a -riot. The white man authorized to -arrest the negro went to his house and -called for him at night. The negro -refused to come out. The deputy -forced his way in, and the negro shot -him dead. There were three negroes -in the house, all participating in resisting -the officer.</p> - -<p>The white man’s court acquitted <i>two</i> -of the negroes, and sent <i>one</i> up for -ten years.</p> - -<p>In the penitentiary of Georgia, at -this time, are some white men serving -out their terms at hard labor for an -outrage committed on a negro man in -one of the country counties near Atlanta.</p> - -<p>A white man, by the name of Alec -Harvill, belonging to the class of poor -whites, was tried for murder in one of -the Piedmont counties for which Mr. -Hart has such a contempt, and was -convicted.</p> - -<p>He is now serving a term in the penitentiary, -as he has been doing for the -last five or six years.</p> - -<p>How was he convicted? <i>Upon the -testimony of a single negro witness.</i> -Nobody saw the alleged crime, or pretended -to have seen it, except this -negro boy.</p> - -<p>And yet the white judge and the -white jury believed the negro in preference -to the father or mother of the -accused.</p> - -<p>In another of the Piedmont counties -of Georgia a white man outraged a -negro woman.</p> - -<p>Within the last ninety days that -criminal has been tried by a white judge -and jury—the prosecution being pushed -by the state of Georgia through her -Attorney-General.</p> - -<p>The lower court convicted the criminal, -the Supreme Court has affirmed -the finding, and the white man will -have to meet the penalty of the law -for his violation of a negro woman.</p> - -<p>Several years ago a white man -named Robinson, living in Waynesboro, -Ga., killed a negro.</p> - -<p>The white man had cursed a negro -woman, who had “put in her mouth” -while he was holding a conversation -with a negro man.</p> - -<p>When Robinson cursed the woman -the deceased threw off his coat and -rushed at Robinson, exclaiming, “I -won’t stand that!”</p> - -<p>Robinson backed, saying, “Don’t -come on me! Stand back!”</p> - -<p>The negro continued to advance; -Robinson drew his pistol and shot his -assailant.</p> - -<p>Robinson was tried, convicted and -sent to the penitentiary.</p> - -<p>In Wilkes County, Ga., a convict -boss whipped a negro convict who -sulked and wouldn’t work. The negro -had a bad character, and was serving -sentence for a grave offense.</p> - -<p>The whipping may possibly have -caused the negro’s death, though there -was much testimony to the effect that -he died from natural causes.</p> - -<p>At any rate, a white judge and jury -convicted the boss who inflicted the -whipping, and he had to serve his time -in the penitentiary. Robert Cannon -was his name.</p> - -<p>In another instance I myself furnished -the evidence of maltreatment -of a negro convict in the Georgia penitentiary, -and, the facts being made -known to the Governor of Georgia, a -fine of $2,500 was imposed on the -Convict Lessee Company.</p> - -<p>The Governor was General John B. -Gordon.</p> - -<p>The name of the negro convict was -Bill Sturgis.</p> - -<p>Examples like these could be multiplied -indefinitely from Georgia and -every Southern state.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Another astonishing fact is related -by Dr. Albert Bushnell Hart.</p> - -<p>“The most intelligent white people -admit the fact that they are <i>trying -to keep the negro down</i> because otherwise -<i>the lowest white men will marry -negro women</i>.”</p> - -<p>Now, where on earth did Dr. Hart -get <i>that</i>?</p> - -<p>Does not Dr. Hart know that the -antipathy between the negro and the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_263"></a>[Pg 263]</span> -poor white is, and always has been, -greater than the antipathy between the -negro and the property-owning white?</p> - -<p>Does not Dr. Hart himself, in another -part of his article, express the -belief that a dangerous antagonism -exists between <i>the poor whites</i> and the -negro?</p> - -<p>Does Professor Hart believe that the -true reason why the Southern people -wish <i>to maintain white supremacy</i> is to -keep poor <i>whites from marrying negro -women</i>? Does he not realize that he -makes himself a laughing-stock when -he gives his name to a statement of -that kind? <i>No white man, rich or poor, -wants a negro woman</i> <span class="smcap">for a wife</span>!</p> - -<p>Dr. Hart may put that down as a -proposition which is absolutely true.</p> - -<p>There are many white men, unfortunately, -who establish relations of <i>concubinage</i> -with negro women, and this -crime is frequently punished in the -Southern courts; but where is the evidence -that white men wish to take -negro wives?</p> - -<p>If that inclination is so strong, so -ungovernable as to become the motive -of the South in maintaining white supremacy, -<i>it should be capable of proof</i>. -Now, where is the proof? <i>Produce it, -Dr. Hart!</i></p> - -<p>The simple truth of the matter is -that Dr. Albert Bushnell Hart has allowed -himself to be stuffed with a whole -lot of nonsense upon a subject which -he does not understand.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now for a parting quotation from -this precious article of Harvard’s professional -historian:</p> - -<p>“Good people (in the South) rarely -make much distinction between the -man who is guilty and the man who -looks like a criminal; between shooting -him down in the street or burning him -at the stake; between burning the -guilty man or his innocent wife; between -the quiet family inferno with -only two or three hundred spectators -and a first-class, advertised <i>auto-da-fé</i> -with special trains, and the children of -the public schools in the foreground.”</p> - -<p>There you have it, in all its true -amplitude and <i>animus</i>!</p> - -<p>“The <i>good people</i>” of the South do -not strive, according to Dr. Hart, to -draw the line of distinction between -the man who is guilty and the man -who simply <i>looks</i> guilty. They establish -no real distinction between the -guilty man and his innocent wife. It -makes no difference to these “good -people” whether they have a quiet -family inferno, with two or three hundred -spectators, or the first-class, advertised -burning, when special trains -are run and the public-school teachers -give the children a recess in order that -they may attend the exhibition!</p> - -<p>If that is not mere partisanship, -frothing at the mouth, what is it?</p> - -<p>It certainly cannot be seriously -taken as a truthful summing up of a -general situation.</p> - -<p>An irresponsible stump-speaker, in -the reckless rush of a hot political -campaign, would have better sense -than to deal in hyperbole in that -furious fashion.</p> - -<p>But when a man of Dr. Hart’s -standing publishes stuff like this it -does harm. It misleads the North -and arouses passionate indignation in -the South.</p> - -<p>When Dr. Hart does work of that -wild sort he is no longer a historian; -he is simply an incendiary. He is a -child <i>playing with fire</i>.</p> - -<p>If I were to apply to the North the -same measure which Professor Hart -has applied to the South, could I not -convict the “good people” of <i>his</i> section, -as he has convicted “the good -people” of <i>mine</i>?</p> - -<p>Are “the good people” of the entire -North to be held up as utterly lawless, -making a jest of “<i>such peccadillos as -murder</i>,” because of the late doings at -Wilmington, Del., or at Springfield, O.?</p> - -<p>Has Indiana had no lynchings; has -Colorado had no carnival of crime?</p> - -<p>James Tillman, of South Carolina, -“shot down in the street” a mortal -political foe who had, beyond all -question, given him great provocation.</p> - -<p>I do not say that James Tillman was -justified in his act—I merely say that -he had provocation, great provocation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_264"></a>[Pg 264]</span></p> - -<p>He was acquitted, <i>but he was not -sent to Congress</i>.</p> - -<p>He left the court-room a broken, -chastened man; and is now leading a -life of sobriety, industry and rectitude.</p> - -<p>Not many years ago, <i>on a Sunday -morning</i>, a saloon-keeper and his son, -in the city of Boston, Mass., beat -down a drunken man who had broken -a window-pane of said saloon—<i>beat -him down on the streets, and kicked him -to death after he was down</i>.</p> - -<p>Apparently the man’s sole offense -was that he had broken a pane of glass -and refused to pay for it.</p> - -<p>The saloon was open in violation of -law.</p> - -<p>The glass was broken by a man too -drunk to know what he was doing.</p> - -<p>And the two men of Boston fell -upon the helpless, drunken wretch, -<i>and kicked him to death in the streets</i>.</p> - -<p>Was Massachusetts and all the -North condemned for <i>that</i>?</p> - -<p>What became of the homicides?</p> - -<p>One received a nominal punishment, -which was not a real punishment; -and the other boasts that he was never -punished at all.</p> - -<p>Where was the boast made?</p> - -<p>In the House of Representatives of -the United States—<i>for Boston, Mass., -actually sent to Congress the man who -had helped to kick another man to death -in the streets</i>!</p> - -<p>His name? John A. Sullivan. I -beg pardon—it is,</p> - -<p class="center"><i>The Honorable John A. Sullivan.</i></p> - -<p>South Carolina is far behind Massachusetts—<i>she -has not yet sent James -Tillman to Congress</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In the name of the Good God who -made us all—are we <i>never</i> to hear the -last of these bitter revilings of the -South?</p> - -<p>Are we <i>never</i> to reach the Era of -Good Feeling for which so many -strong men have toiled, so many pure -women have prayed?</p> - -<p>Will the blind Apostles of Hate -<i>never</i> “Let us have Peace”?</p> - -<p>Shall the marplot and the bigot and -the partisan and the Pharisee <i>forever</i> -be able to thwart the nobler efforts of -nobler men?</p> - -<p>Shall Ransy Sniffle <i>always</i> succeed -in embroiling those who want to be -friends?</p> - -<p>When I think of Abraham Lincoln—magnanimous, -broad, far-seeing, -praising the Confederates who had -stormed the heights at Gettysburg, -calling upon the band to play “Dixie” -on the night following Lee’s surrender—and -then contemplate this narrow, -spiteful, out-of-date Professor of History -at Harvard, I realize more than -ever how much the South lost when a -madman assassinated the statesman -<i>who had her blood in his veins, sympathy -for her in his heart, and a knowledge -of her in his mind</i>.</p> - -<p>In vain will Congress return the -battle-flags of the Lost Cause, in vain -will the McKinleys and the Roosevelts -labor for the Era of Good Feeling, if -the violent partisans of the North, -playing into the hands of the almost -obsolete fire-eaters of the South, give -to sectional hatreds a new lease of life.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3><i>Remember the Rascals</i></h3> - -<p>The law provides that a Congressman -shall be paid a salary of $5,000 -per year; and in order that the compensation -shall be <i>equal</i>, among members, -the Government pays their traveling -expenses. Otherwise the Representative -who comes from the Pacific -coast to the Capital, paying his way, -would realize very much less on his -salary than a Representative from -Maryland or Virginia.</p> - -<p>The cost of travel was greater in the -olden days than now, and the free pass -had not then become one of the devil’s -favorite inventions. Consequently, -the lawmakers declared that the taxpayers -should furnish <i>twenty cents per -mile</i> to meet the expenses of the Representative -in going from his home to the -post of duty.</p> - -<p>Inasmuch as every member of Congress—occasional -cranks excepted—now -rides on the free passes, the mileage -has become a considerable addition to -the salary.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_265"></a>[Pg 265]</span></p> - -<p>A member who lives west of the -Mississippi will find his pay increased a -sixth, or a fifth, according to the distance -from the Atlantic seaboard; -while the delegate who comes from -Hawaii will pocket considerably more -than $2,000 for the alleged cost of -getting to Washington.</p> - -<p>So far, good. Everybody knows -that Congressmen do <i>not</i> pay their -way, and everybody knows that mileage -no longer has any honest foundation; -but we’ve got used to the grab, -and we let it go, as inevitable, with a -weary sigh of hopeless disgust.</p> - -<p>But the Congress which recently adjourned -broke all previous records -and gave the country a new chapter in -the record of brazen dishonor.</p> - -<p>Previous to the meeting of the regular -session there had been an extra -session. This held on till the regular -session began. There was no interval -between the two. So far as time was -concerned, the one ran into the other. -Hence, no member went home from -the extra session and came back to the -regular session.</p> - -<p>There was absolutely no “recess” -at all—<i>not a minute</i> between the one -session and the other.</p> - -<p>Now, behold the evil influence of a -bad example.</p> - -<p>The President got the idea that -while there was no <i>actual</i> recess between -the two sessions of Congress, -there was a “<i>constructive</i>” recess.</p> - -<p>The Mephistopheles who whispered -this baleful advice in the ear of Mr. -Roosevelt was a better friend to the -appointees who were to benefit by it—General -Wood and Dr. Crum, for example—than -they were to the President. -The members of Congress were -not slow to reason the case to this effect:</p> - -<p>If there has been such a <i>recess</i> as to -give General Wood a promotion in the -army, and to Dr. Crum a fat office in -the revenue service, then it has been a -recess <i>for all purposes</i>.</p> - -<p>“If the President can fill offices upon -a supposed recess, we can fill our pocket -with mileage upon the same supposition.</p> - -<p>“The whole thing being imaginary, -that theory which puts Wood higher -up on the pay-roll, and which puts a -negro in the Custom House at Charleston, -will also imagine that we went -home during the supposed recess, and -that we have just returned from Georgia, -Alabama, Wisconsin, California -and the state of Washington. It’s a -poor rule that won’t work both ways.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The law clothes the President with -the power to make recess appointments—which -rids him of the necessity -of consulting the Senate. In this -instance, he created a recess in his mind, -when none existed in fact, and the result -was good for Wood and Crum.</p> - -<p>The imaginary recess having been -created by the President, the members -of the Lower House took an imaginary -trip home during the imaginary recess, -and then proposed that they be paid -their imaginary expenses, not in imaginary -money, but in hard cash.</p> - -<p>Therefore, sixty-odd Republicans -and forty-odd Democrats, <i>and two -Union Labor men</i>, voted to give themselves -$190,000 of the people’s money -to pay for <i>imaginary journeys made -during an imaginary recess</i>.</p> - -<p>It is doubtful if a more shameless -attempt to steal from the public treasury -has ever been attempted.</p> - -<p>The Senate killed the measure, not -because the Senate itself is so pure and -honest—for it isn’t—but because it -could safely rebuke the House—which -it despises—and pose as Watch-dog of -the Treasury, without loss to itself.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The people are entitled to know the -names of the rascals who tried to steal -$190,000 of their money.</p> - -<p>Tennessee will not be shocked to -know that “Slippery Jim” Richardson -voted for the grab.</p> - -<p>She may be shocked to know that -Brownlow did the same thing—Brownlow, -the son of the famous Parson.</p> - -<p>South Carolina may be astonished to -learn that on the roll of dishonor are -the names of Aiken and Legare.</p> - -<p>Virginia will see that she has been -misrepresented by the vote of Maynard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_266"></a>[Pg 266]</span></p> - -<p>Louisiana will find three of her votes -on the shameful list—Pujo and Broussard -and Davey.</p> - -<p>The Democracy of Missouri may feel -indignant at the vote of Hunt, and Mississippi -at that of Hill.</p> - -<p>As the list of names is printed elsewhere, -it is not necessary to particularize -further; but I note one thing -with special interest.</p> - -<p>The Massachusetts Congressman who -was selected by the enemies of W. R. -Hearst to attack him on the floor of -the House gave the country a chance to -learn who was the cleaner, better man.</p> - -<p><i>Hearst did not vote for the steal; Sullivan, -of Massachusetts, did!</i></p> - -<p>The people of Georgia may wish to -know where Congressman Bartlett was -when the vote was being taken. His -name is not recorded against the steal. -Nor is that of Brantley or that of Adamson.</p> - -<p><i>Where were they?</i></p> - -<p>These three gentlemen are paid -$15,000 per year to stay in their places -and safeguard the rights of the people -who elected them.</p> - -<p>Where were these three Georgians -when this piece of rascality was being -put through the House? If they were -necessarily absent why did they not -arrange “pairs,” and thus give their -votes to defeat the robbers? <i>Did they</i> -DODGE?</p> - -<p>If so, <i>Why?</i></p> - -<p>Alabama will want to know where -Bankhead and Wiley were; Texas will -ask explanations of Stephens; Tennessee -of Sims; Kentucky of Hopkins and -Stanley.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Every man who voted for the mileage -grab, or who dodged the vote, -<i>should be marked for political punishment -by the constituency which he betrayed</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3><i>Introductory to a Letter from a Boy</i></h3> - -<p>As a rule, I do not help schoolboys -in writing their speeches or in preparing -for debates. In fact, I make it a -rule <i>not</i> to do so.</p> - -<p>It is best for the boy to dig his own -bait. The sooner he learns to rely -upon himself, the better. In that way -only will he become <i>strong</i>.</p> - -<p>But sometimes I break my own rules—for -the sake of variety, perhaps—and -I did it not long ago when a certain -college in Georgia took as a subject -for debate the proposition:</p> - -<p>“<i>Resolved</i>, That the South should -have supported Watson in the last -Presidential election.”</p> - -<p>Of course, there were but two names -to be considered in the discussion—Watson -and Parker.</p> - -<p>Teddy wasn’t in it at all. And that -is a queer thing, too, for about one-third -of the white people of Georgia -believe just as Teddy does about the -money question, the Tariff system, the -Panama business, the Philippine policy, -the big navy project, the Railroad rate -reduction, and so forth and so on.</p> - -<p>But they wouldn’t vote for Teddy to -save his life.</p> - -<p>And why?</p> - -<p>They have a distinct presentiment -that if they should vote for a man like -Roosevelt they would never dare to go -to sleep again lest they wake up next -morning and find niggers sitting at the -breakfast-table on the level of social -equality.</p> - -<p>Consequently, Roosevelt didn’t cut -any ice in the schoolhouse debate.</p> - -<p>Parker and I—we had it all to ourselves. -Good-natured people will not -begrudge this honor to Parker and me, -I am sure, for we are clearly entitled -to something, and Teddy has just -about carried off everything else. He -can afford to be generous, and to let -two of his late competitors wear the -laurels in a college debate away down -in Georgia.</p> - -<p>Whether Parker coached the boys -on his side I am not informed.</p> - -<p>If he didn’t, they must have had a -tough job getting up “points.” It is -a task at which the average boy would -need prompt and patient assistance.</p> - -<p>Perhaps, W. J. B. was appealed to. -At all events, he should have been. -The Nebraska Talk-Factory turns out -quite a variety of finished product, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_267"></a>[Pg 267]</span> -the kind of garment it wove for the -adornment of Parker, late in the last -campaign, was a marvel in its way—especially -when one considers how suddenly -the machinery had to be readjusted -to fill that particular order.</p> - -<p>As to myself, I frankly confess that -I “suspended the rules” and gave my -champion some “points.” This was -wrong, but human.</p> - -<p>Had I known that the judges presiding -over the debate were two Democrats -and a Republican, I would have -furnished points to the Parker side, -also. Then my champions would have -come out ahead.</p> - -<p>My private opinion is that I could -have coached the Parker champions -in such a way that even a pied-piper -tribunal, composed of two Georgia -Democrats and a New York Republican, -would have had to call in a fourth -man to know how to decide.</p> - -<p>Provided, <i>always</i>, that W. J. B. had -stayed out of it.</p> - -<p>Of course, when <i>he</i> butts in, nobody -can say what may happen.</p> - -<p>Well, the boys debated, the judges -decided, and Parker won out.</p> - -<p>The remainder of the story is related -by the ingenuous youth who -fought for me in that contest, and I am -going to give you his letter just as he -wrote it.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="f90">THE LETTER</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Manassas, Ga.</span>, March 13, 1905.</p> - -<p class="no-indent"><i>Hon. T. E. Watson, Thomson, Ga.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Sir</span>: On the fourth of January -you were so kind as to send me a few very -strong points for my speech. About the -same time Hon. Jas. K. Hines also sent me -some points.</p> - -<p>Our debate was postponed until the tenth -inst. For I was sure we would need ample -time to prepare for such a fight as we would -have to make.</p> - -<p>In my letter to you I mentioned the -opposition which I thought we would have -to encounter, and the amount of interest -that would be manifested in such a subject.</p> - -<p>In this I was not disappointed or mistaken.</p> - -<p>The badges were eagerly sought all day -previous to the debate, and the Watson -badges were worn by quite a number.</p> - -<p>The Auditorium was filled with people. -The rostrum was covered with an arch, -coming from either side of the stage, made -of ribbon.</p> - -<p>Half of the arch was made of the Watson -colors, and half of the Parker colors.</p> - -<p>As I entered town that afternoon I -heard a little boy cry, “Hurrah for Tom -Watson!” This alone paid me for the -effort and work on the debate.</p> - -<p>To secure impartial judges was the one -thing dreaded from the start, and in this we -made a miserable failure.</p> - -<p>Two Democrats and a Republican were -the best we could do. Or at least the third -man came from New York.</p> - -<p>My colleague opened with a strong -speech. Before the first on the negative -side finished, all my fear had vanished, and -I was really anxious to have my say.</p> - -<p>The chairman reprimanded some little -boys for bumping their heads, a few moments -before I began. I opened by saying -that I wanted one of those little boys to -bump his head as much as he liked because -I heard him cry, “Hurrah for Tom Watson!” -Turning to the audience, I asked all -the little girls to remember that little boy -at the proper time. Then I carried the -little fellow step by step from the Claxton -Institute to the President’s chair on the -People’s Party Platform.</p> - -<p>Our speeches over, the committee retired -for consultation.</p> - -<p>Our opponents looked the worst whipped -of any I ever saw.</p> - -<p>The audience began to call for Watson -badges to take the place of their Parker -ones.</p> - -<p>It is generally very much out of place for -anyone to accuse a committee of a wrong -decision on purpose, but the case was so -plain that I do not hesitate to say that their -decision was based on the condition of their -hearts before they heard our speeches.</p> - -<p>But many were on our side. One of -the Emory College boys, a very prominent -physician and a strong Democrat, and -brother-in-law to one of the committee, -was outspoken in saying that the affirmative -side won.</p> - -<p>I never cared for the decision being given -against me so little as I did this time, for -everyone, almost, in the audience knew the -right.</p> - -<p>Our debate no doubt resulted in waking -up the people to some degree, for our opponents -could only eulogize you.</p> - -<p>Ever rest assured of my highest appreciation -of the points sent me.</p> - -<p>Wishing that you may live long to continue -your fight for the many against the -few, I am,</p> - -<p class="center">Very respectfully yours,</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">S. B. McCall</span>.</p> - -</div> - -<p>A missive like the foregoing is decidedly -interesting to me, and the spirit -moves me to say certain things to my -correspondent, which I do, in manner -and form following, to wit:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_268"></a>[Pg 268]</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="f90">A LETTER TO A BOY</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Young Friend</span>: I do not know -you personally, have never grasped your -hand and looked into your eyes, but your -letter makes me think well of you.</p> - -<p>In the first place, it discloses the fact that -after all your careful preparation for the -debate, <i>you made an extemporaneous speech</i>. -Good. No one can be a debater on any -other terms. It is possible that one may -be an orator and be unable to leave the -written form, but the gift of extemporaneous -expression <i>is absolutely essential to -a debater</i>.</p> - -<p><i>To think on one’s legs</i>—that’s a gift; and -it seems that you have it.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Again, I learn from your letter that you -<i>knew</i> you had on your hands a hard task in -maintaining the unpopular side of the debate, -and that you did not shrink from the -burden. Good again. That’s the way to -become a <i>man</i>. The boy who is ever on the -lookout for the easy job, the popular side, -and who runs away from obstacles or opposition, -will always remain a boy—and not -much of a boy at that.</p> - -<p>There is but one rule for you if you want -to be a man—absolutely but one—and that -is to do your level best to reach a clear, -correct idea of what is right, and then stick -to it and fight for it, in spite of the “world, -the flesh and the devil.”</p> - -<p>This rule will make you enemies, and will -give you just about as many hard knocks -as are needful to your health, but if you -want to be a <i>man</i>, that’s the price you’ve got -to pay.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>You say you found difficulty in securing -impartial judges.</p> - -<p>Well, I should think so.</p> - -<p>The “impartial judge” is one of those -pleasing fancies with which we amuse ourselves, -for the reason that we can’t help it. -We have got to get decisions some way or -other, and we don’t quite like the idea of -settling grave questions by spitting at a -mark, or of guessing whether it is heads or -tails in the tossing of a coin—therefore, we -resort to “the impartial judge.”</p> - -<p>It is one of the jokes of Christian civilization -which nobody laughs at because we -have agreed that it is not a joke.</p> - -<p>Just between me and you, the “impartial -judge” is brother to the “non-partisan -editor,” and twin-brother to the “disinterested -office-seeker.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>You say that it is generally wrong to -criticize the conduct of those who make -decisions.</p> - -<p>You are mistaken about that. It is -generally the proper thing to do. And it is -often the <i>only</i> thing you can do. True, it is -not as much satisfaction as we are entitled -to, but it’s something.</p> - -<p>What would baseball be, if we couldn’t -cuss the umpire?</p> - -<p>How could lawyers who lost their cases -blow off the indignation, if they couldn’t -cuss the judge?</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>You state that you were not cast down by -the decision which went against you. Right. -Why should you be?</p> - -<p>Whatever was <i>true</i>, previous to the decision, -was <i>true</i> afterward.</p> - -<p>And there’s where our political leaders -fall down.</p> - -<p>They go about the country telling the -people that a certain candidate for office is -“unfit for the nomination,” and after he is -nominated the same politicians claim that -the <i>nomination</i> makes him fit.</p> - -<p>How can a <i>nomination</i> make a bad man -good?</p> - -<p>That’s a deferred question which W. J. B. -will answer some day or other, and you will -then see it done to the queen’s taste.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Evidently you are not discouraged by -the fact that you went up against a tribunal -which wouldn’t yield to reason, eloquence, -fact or fancy—a tribunal which had -made up its mind before its members heard -your speech. Right again. It’s your <i>duty</i> -to furnish the convincing argument; it is -<i>not in your power</i> to supply judges with -minds open to conviction.</p> - -<p>Bigger men than you have run up against -immovable obstacles of that kind.</p> - -<p>Consider W. J. B., for instance. He -found, in New England, a lot of tribunals, -the low, the high and the middle, which -were not to be convinced that he, W. J. B., -was entitled to $50,000 that old Mr. Bennett -<i>thought</i> he was leaving to our Nebraska -friend by will.</p> - -<p>You and I would think that as the money -belonged to Bennett, and Bennett had declared -in writing that W. J. B. should have -it, the judges would not interfere.</p> - -<p>But they <i>did</i>. No amount of eloquence, -of the best W. J. B. sort, could budge them -an inch. Our Nebraska friend got knocked -out all along the line.</p> - -<p>Did it cast him down?</p> - -<p>Not in the least. He is as cheerful—not -to say saucy—as you are over <i>your</i> little -tumble. That is just the way to be: but -one should always try to get some <i>lesson</i> out -of one’s defeats, so that one will know better -how to do next time.</p> - -<p>If you should ask W. J. B. what lesson he -has learned from that series of knockdowns -in the New England courts, he would -answer: “The next time a benevolent Yankee -comes to my house, and offers to make -me a bequest of $50,000, I will take him -out and introduce him to a safe and sane -lawyer who knows how to draw a will.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Cultivate what is <i>best</i> in your character -and mind.</p> - -<p>Do not <i>imitate</i> anybody.</p> - -<p>Study good models for the purpose of -making the best possible man out of <i>yourself</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_269"></a>[Pg 269]</span></p> - -<p>Develop your <i>pride</i>—not your vanity, -conceit or egotism.</p> - -<p>Be too proud to stoop to anything mean.</p> - -<p>Associate with the <i>best</i> people. If among -your companions there are those whose -talk or conduct is vile, weed them out from -your life.</p> - -<p>I feel deeply on this point, and I repeat, -WEED THEM OUT.</p> - -<p>Cultivate the honesty which makes a -man what he <i>appears</i> to be.</p> - -<p>Don’t be a sham.</p> - -<p>Be a reality—as earnest, powerful and -fearless as is possible to your nature.</p> - -<p>When defeat knocks you down, don’t lie -there. As soon as you get your breath -back, rise, brush the dust off, and go up -against the enemy again.</p> - -<p>Reach a clear conception of what you -want to do, and <i>can</i> do; be sure that this is -something noble in itself—then hammer away -with all your might, <i>and keep hammering</i>.</p> - -<p>Remember that modesty is almost as -becoming to a man as to a woman, but that -<i>humility</i> has no place in man’s relation to -man.</p> - -<p>If you are not as good as any other man, -it’s your fault.</p> - -<p>The world, and all its rewards, are as -much yours as anybody’s.</p> - -<p>But remember this also: the race <i>is</i> to the -swift, and the battle <i>is</i> to the strong, -USUALLY.</p> - -<p>If you would win the race, <i>be swift</i>; if the -battle, <i>be strong</i>.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3><i>An Educational Department</i></h3> - -<p>There are thousands of boys and -girls, some in schools and colleges, -some not, who are anxious to learn, to -develop themselves and to RISE.</p> - -<p>Many, many things they yearn to -know which the class-room teachers do -not teach.</p> - -<p>Many a subject they are eager to -study, if somebody will but show the -way.</p> - -<p>Often there are speeches to be made, -essays to be written, debates to be prepared, -and the boys and girls simply do -not know how to start about it.</p> - -<p>For instance, they are suddenly required -to speak or write on the question:</p> - -<p>“Should the Government own and -operate the railroads?”</p> - -<p>They have never read anything about -it, perhaps. Therefore they inquire:</p> - -<p>“Where can we get some literature -on the subject?”</p> - -<p>These young people do not want -someone else to write their speeches or -essays; they want nothing more than -to be told where to get the materials -to work with—the data upon which to -construct their own argument.</p> - -<p>When I was a boy I felt the need of -that kind of help very keenly.</p> - -<p>How was I to know what books contained -the information sought?</p> - -<p>Who could tell me?</p> - -<p>I soon found that teachers did not -love to be bored by inquiries of that -character, and therefore I had to -browse around in the library at random -for what was wanted.</p> - -<p>If the book needed was there, I generally -found it, after wasting much -time in the search.</p> - -<p>If it was not there, as frequently -happened, I was at my row’s end. I -had to debate without the full preparation -which should have been made.</p> - -<p>To help out many a student who may -be troubled as I used to be, I am going -to improvise and conduct in this magazine -a modest little <i>Educational Department</i>.</p> - -<p>Primarily it is meant for <i>the young -people</i>. But the rule will be made as -flexible as I feel like making it.</p> - -<p>Age limits are not fair—no matter -whether Osler was joking or not.</p> - -<p>It is not my plan or purpose to write -anybody’s speech or essay; but, where -there is a subject of real importance to -be discussed by word or pen, I am -willing to <i>direct the preparation</i> of the -student by telling him or her where -the necessary information can be had.</p> - -<p>It would perhaps not be improper -for me to suggest some general ideas -on the subject to be discussed—these -ideas to be worked out and put in form -by the student.</p> - -<p>Often I might render good service to -the boys and girls by telling them -where the books they need can be -bought at the lowest price.</p> - -<p>It took me many years to learn how -to buy books, and it is a thing worth -knowing—unless you have more money -than I ever had.</p> - -<p>The letters written to me in this -department will be published as written; -but the names of the writers will -be withheld.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_270"></a>[Pg 270]</span></p> - -<p>Therefore, no correspondent need be -embarrassed in making inquiries.</p> - -<p>My replies will be given in the magazine.</p> - -<p>Hereafter all letters asking for information—historical, -literary, political, -economic—will be answered through -the EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.</p> - -<p>P. S.—Students are requested not -to ask help on this subject, viz.:</p> - -<p>“<i>Resolved</i>, That there is more happiness -in the pursuit than in the possession.”</p> - -<p>Those whose duty it is to maintain -“<i>the pursuit</i>” will please consult Mr. -Bryan; those who sustain “<i>the possession</i>” -are referred to Mr. Roosevelt.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3><i>Editorial Comment</i></h3> - -<p>Those orthodox partisan editors -who sneered at my comment on W. R. -Hearst as a man who <i>did</i> things while -others were talk—talk—talking, will -please study the election returns from -Chicago and hand me out revised opinions.</p> - -<p>That was a Hearst fight, and Hearst -himself was personally in the thick of it. -He said little and accomplished much.</p> - -<p>Would <i>still</i> like to swap a score or -two of mere talkers like—well, no matter—for -another such myth as Hearst.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>A wise man—and his name is Dennis—has -an article in the April number of -<i>Everybody’s</i> to prove that free trade -has created in England that poverty-stricken -mass of humanity which he -includes under the general name of -“Hooligan.”</p> - -<p>According to Mr. Robert Hunter, -the Hooligans of the United States -aggregate 10,000,000—and we haven’t -had any free trade, either.</p> - -<p>Evidently the wise Mr. Dennis has -not located the true cause of poverty -in England.</p> - -<p>It was famine, and the high price of -bread, which forced Sir Robert Peel to -abandon protection and to carry free -trade into effect.</p> - -<p>Bread was cheapened and the cost of -living reduced.</p> - -<p>Did <i>that</i> inflict such great misery -upon the poor?</p> - -<p>If the wise Mr. Dennis will study the -subject more thoroughly he will probably -reach the conclusion that poverty -in England is the product of land monopoly, -a vicious financial system and -a governmental establishment in which -a lot of hereditary bloodsuckers prey -upon the body politic.</p> - -<p>Free trade is the law of nature; it -never did, and never can produce national -misery, poverty or decadence.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>If the wise Mr. Dennis will study -the subject thoroughly he will discover -that the Corn Laws of 1815 were passed -for the purpose of giving special benefits -to the landlords of Great Britain. -By the poor the act was regarded as -such a direct attack upon themselves—such -a barefaced design to make them -pay higher prices for the necessaries of -life—that resistance to the law grew -riotous and had to be put down by force.</p> - -<p>Says Justin McCarthy, the historian:</p> - -<p>“The poor everywhere saw the -bread of their family threatened, saw -the food of their children almost taken -out of their mouths, and they broke -into wild extremes of anger.”</p> - -<p>But the soldiers were called out, the -riots put down, and a sufficient number -of the poor hanged to quell the remainder.</p> - -<p><i>Thus</i> the land monopolists of Great -Britain—many of whose titles to their -enormous holdings are tainted with -all manner of fraud and wrong enforced -and odious law which robbed -the poor to benefit the rich.</p> - -<p>In 1817 the troops were used again -to crush the laborers who were crying -out against oppression.</p> - -<p>In 1819 soldiers were used once more.</p> - -<p>Then the submission of despair -brought quiet times until 1830, when -the people again attempted to throw -off the hateful yoke of barbarous -laws. In the House of Commons -Sir Francis Burdett denounced the -Duke of Wellington as</p> - -<p>“<i>Shamefully insensible to the suffering -and distress which were painfully -apparent throughout the land.</i>”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_271"></a>[Pg 271]</span></p> - -<p>“O’Connell declared that many thousands -of persons had to subsist in Ireland -<i>on three half-pence per day</i>.”</p> - -<p>A tolerably successful workingman -sometimes got sixty-five cents a week, -and the price of the four-pound loaf -was <i>twenty-five cents</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>From 1830 to 1836 matters went -from bad to worse. Business was -depressed, trade stagnant, poverty -severe in many parts of the country.</p> - -<p>In 1838 a crisis came. Three-fifths -of the manufacturing establishments of -Lancashire shut down. Thousands of -workmen were thrown adrift, moneyless, -foodless, desperate.</p> - -<p>It was then that three great men, -Cobden, Bright and Villiers, seized the -leadership of Discontent and began the -famous crusade against <i>Protection</i>, as -typified in the Corn Laws of Great -Britain. “Vested interests,” of course, -raised the usual howl.</p> - -<p>The land monopolists stubbornly -closed up in lines of sullen opposition -to reform. They beat off every attack, -pocketing year after year the -famine prices which the people were -compelled to pay for bread.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, in the summer of 1845, a -cold, wet, sunless season fell upon the -British Isles and the whole potato -crop of Ireland—the sole dependence -of the vast majority of the Irish -people—rotted.</p> - -<p>The food of Ireland was gone; in her -poverty she could not pay the English -landlord’s price for bread, and the -Corn Laws forbade her buying the -cheap bread of America and Continental -Europe.</p> - -<p>It was <i>then</i> that Lord John Russell -attacked the whole system of <i>Protection</i> -as “<i>the blight of commerce, the -bane of agriculture, the source of bitter -divisions among classes</i>, <span class="smcap">the cause of -penury, fever and crime among the -people</span>.”</p> - -<p>It was <i>then</i> that the great Tory -Minister, Sir Robert Peel, followed the -promptings of his heart and determined -that the people should have -cheaper food.</p> - -<p>He abolished the Corn Laws, and -conferred inestimable blessings upon -the common people of his country.</p> - -<p>The noble act cost him his political -life—for that was the penalty which -outraged land monopoly, led by Disraeli, -inflicted upon its former chief.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Corn Laws were repealed in 1846.</p> - -<p>Mr. Dennis comes along and tells -us that <i>Free Trade</i> is responsible for -“Hooligan”—for poverty in England.</p> - -<p>Mr. Rider Haggard—now in this -country in the interest of Hooligan—ought -to know as much about the poor -of Great Britain as Dennis knows.</p> - -<p>What does Rider Haggard say?</p> - -<p>That the present deplorable condition -of the English poor <i>began with</i> 1874.</p> - -<p>How, then, can that condition be -connected with the Corn Law repeal?</p> - -<p>May it not be logically connected -with legislation of more recent date?</p> - -<p>Or may it not be connected with -economic developments elsewhere?</p> - -<p>Tremendous changes in the conditions -of people in Europe and America -have been brought about by financial -legislation much more nearly contemporaneous -with 1874 than the repeal -of the Corn Laws in 1846.</p> - -<p>Then, again, the vast addition to the -wheat and corn areas in the United -States alone have had a mighty influence -on prices in Great Britain.</p> - -<p>It may be that rents are so high in -England that the tenant farmer finds -it impossible to pay his tribute to the -land monopolist, compete with American -grain fields, and have anything -left for himself.</p> - -<p>Indeed, Mr. Haggard states that one -of the reasons why the agricultural -laborer is so disheartened in England -is that <i>there is no chance for him to become -the owner of land</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>An exchange says:</p> - -<p>“The headmaster of an English -school says he read Roosevelt’s inaugural -to his boys and asked them where -it was found. Unanimously they -answered, ‘Jowett’s translation of -Thucydides.’ Whereupon the headmaster -gives us parallel columns to -show that Pericles said it all before, on<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_272"></a>[Pg 272]</span> -an occasion somewhat similar. But -Teddy is too honest to crib; he was deceived -by his clerk on oratory. Let it -go at that.”</p> - -<p>If it is true that Mr. Roosevelt <i>did</i> -use one of the speeches of Pericles as an -inaugural address, Mr. Bryan may wish -he had not been so quick with the announcement -that it was a poor speech. -Pericles is generally considered to have -been an orator who would have compared -not unfavorably with W. J. B. -himself.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The India-rubber qualities of the -Monroe Doctrine are being made manifest -with a vengeance.</p> - -<p>Once we understood it to mean, in a -general way, that Europe must “Hands -off”—no more conquest, colonization, -or extension of the European system -to the American Continent.</p> - -<p>By Mr. Cleveland, England was told, -with firmness, that she couldn’t steal -Venezuela’s land, even though the theft -consisted of the simple device of moving -the boundary line.</p> - -<p>With Mr. Roosevelt’s advent to -power comes a decidedly new chapter -in the evolution of the Monroe Doctrine.</p> - -<p>We are to assume a sort of Trusteeship -for adjacent governments.</p> - -<p>We must see to it that they conduct -themselves decently and in order. -They must pay their debts to citizens -of other countries and behave themselves -generally in a way that meets -our approval.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mr. Roosevelt, in advancing the -Monroe Doctrine to this extent, has -undertaken a big contract for this -country.</p> - -<p>If we are to be the Policeman for -South America, Santo Domingo, Cuba, -Mexico and Central America, we must, -first of all, have a powerful navy.</p> - -<p>This is clear to everybody.</p> - -<p>What is not so clear is that a powerful -standing army will inevitably follow—<i>as -sure as fate, it will follow</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>For it is certain that a natural result -of our hectoring, bulldozing, overlord -attitude toward countries like -those mentioned will make them our -bitter enemies. South America already -hates us, and has cause to hate us.</p> - -<p>The manner in which we sanctioned -the collection of claims against Venezuela, -by the warships of Europe will -not be forgotten.</p> - -<p>This feeling will be intensified by -Mr. Roosevelt’s recent utterances, and -will spread through all the peoples -affected by it.</p> - -<p>If we are to compel these governments -to knuckle down to every -Asphalt Trust, or other speculative -syndicate, which enters the country -for the purpose of exploitation, the -time will certainly come when our -attempts to make them conform to our -standard of what is decent and orderly -in dealing with plundering corporations -will be resisted.</p> - -<p>What then?</p> - -<p>Our navy can bombard the cities -of the coast, but will our marines leave -the ships and defeat the land forces of -the interior?</p> - -<p>Evidently not.</p> - -<p>What, therefore, must we do?</p> - -<p>Send army against army, as we -shall have sent navy against navy.</p> - -<p>Consequently the same policy which -logically requires a powerful navy -will likewise require a powerful standing -army.</p> - -<p><i>And our masters know it!</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mr. Roosevelt:</p> - -<p>Do <i>you</i>, also, laugh at young Garfield?</p> - -<p><i>Please</i> don’t give us any more of -that silly boy.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>More than one-half the voters of -Colorado cast their ballots for Alva -Adams, candidate for Governor.</p> - -<p>But Adams did not get the place.</p> - -<p>Less than half the voters supported -James Peabody, and Peabody acted -as Governor for one day.</p> - -<p>Not a soul voted for Jesse McDonald -for Governor, yet Jesse gets -the whole term of office, excepting -the one day given to Peabody.</p> - -<p>The voters of Colorado evidently -enjoy self-government about as much -as it can be enjoyed.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_273"></a>[Pg 273]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="The_Ladys_Slipper" id="The_Ladys_Slipper"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>The Lady’s Slipper</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY<br /> -<i>Author of “The Two Captains,” “The Corner in Coffee,” “A Little Traitor to the -South,” “The Southerners,” etc.</i></p> - -<h3>I<br /> -THE SLIPPER IS SOUGHT</h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">WHAT happened to me the -night before? I was not -certain as to details, but I -recalled the main facts with singular -distinctness. I had lost every coin -that I possessed. A hasty search of -my pockets in the morning disclosed -the absence even of that one louis -which, on account of its markings, I -had resolved never to part with, save -in the gravest emergency. I was -stripped bare, “down to a gant-line,” -as old Bucknall would have said. -That much was obvious. I had possessed -no jewels save the ring I had -filched when I took the Frenchman’s -purse. That, too, was gone. I suppose -I played it away with the rest.</p> - -<p>I still had my sword. It was a -serviceable blade, which I had purchased -with the Frenchman’s money -so soon as I arrived in Paris. A gentleman -and his sword, backed by a stout -heart—well, one might be in worse -plight. But as I thought about the -night before I seemed to remember—and -here was where I was not quite -clear—that I had affixed my name -to certain pieces of paper, I. O. U.’s! -To what amount I was obligated by -these transactions I did not know. -But whether it was for one franc or -a thousand, I was unable to discharge -the debt. My creditors must give me -time or—They were a jolly lot, those -Frenchmen, and I had held up my -end as long as the gold pieces lasted. -America had taken no disgrace from -my ability to stand in a game and win -or lose like a gentleman. True, it was -generally the latter that fell to my -play.</p> - -<p>Now I was sick of it all! I hated -wine and women and play. I wished, -as never before, that I were on the deck -of a stout ship again, with the new -flag, the Stars and Stripes, fluttering -from the gaff-end and the breath of -the salt wind in my face. This and -a tidy Englishman of equal force -under our lee. Gods! That was a -man’s work and a man’s place. This -drifting around from one gambling -resort to another in Paris, with a -crowd of roysterers—and worse—this -night after night at the tables—bah, -I had had enough of it!</p> - -<p>It was a life I had never fancied, -and if Dr. Franklin had been at home -I had never entered upon it. After -I escaped from the British prison-ship, -and after I took that Englishman’s -purse on the highway—only he -turned out to be a Frenchman, but it -was then too late for me to alter my -intention to provide myself with the -sinews of war—and after I managed -to get to Paris and found our Ambassador -gone to Holland or Spain or -some other outlandish country, what -was I to do? With plenty of money, -no occupation, no ship, nor any present -chance of getting one, no friends, and -a reckless, adventurous disposition, I -fell in with a fast set, and this was -the outcome.</p> - -<p>I could not find her either, although -I swear I searched high and low and -spent not a little of the proceeds of my -highway robbery in trying to run her<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_274"></a>[Pg 274]</span> -down. There was no use in going over -all this. I got up from the couch on -which I had thrown myself dressed as -I was, staggered over to the table, -splashed my face with water and caught -a glimpse of myself in the little mirror -that hung on the wall. Worn, haggard, -bloodshot—my own father would -scarce have known me. I was -ashamed, bitterly so. I had never -been a gambler or a drinker, and I -vowed that I would never be again. -I had played the fool once and I did -not propose to do it a second time. -Yet these interesting resolutions were -forced into the background by the -demands of my present situation.</p> - -<p>What was I to do? Breakfast! I -loathed the idea. Still, I must eat -to live. I hadn’t a cent with which -to bless myself. What was the date? -It was the tenth—no, the eleventh—of -the month. Dr. Franklin would -be back on the thirteenth. Once I -could get speech with him all would -be well, but how was I to exist until -then?</p> - -<p>I sat down by the window and -tried to think of some device. God -knows my situation was critical, but -I declare that I could only think of -her! Perhaps my inability to find -her—for she had vanished as completely -as if the earth had opened and -swallowed her—had made me reckless, -careless, a willing prey to the knaves -who had brought me to this pass. I -will admit, even then, that I loved -her. I closed my eyes and I could see -her as I saw her that evening outside -of Paris. I could hear her scream in -the hands of those ruffians. I went -over the whole thing as I had done -a thousand times. My rush at the -villains! I was a pretty hand at -cudgel-playing as well as a good -swordsman, for I had no weapon but -a stout stick.</p> - -<p>The first fellow I caught fairly on -the head, and he dropped like a felled -bullock. I put my hand up and could -feel a little partially healed scar along -my cheek where the bullet of the one-eyed -scoundrel cut a lock of hair and -grazed me. He got a crack on his -pistol arm which put him out of action. -I could still see his face, convulsed with -pain and rage, his one eye shooting -fire at me as he retreated before me. -The other rascal was a coward, for he -fled immediately. I shall never forget -the look on Mademoiselle’s face -when she thanked me! They had -torn her mask off when they had -dragged her from her horse. I found -it again and also managed to catch her -horse.</p> - -<p>Although I was dressed like a French -peasant I think she realized that I was -of gentle blood. She was surprised at -the ease with which I mounted her on -her horse, and when she gave me that -louis—my hand went to my breast. -Yes, it still hung there! I hadn’t -gambled that away, thank God!—and, -as I promptly returned her another, -she seemed to understand. I wonder -what she did with hers? She told me -that I had not only saved her from -assault but that I had done more, I -had saved the honor of France, and -that she would some day prove her -gratitude. Then she galloped away -from me and left me standing staring -in the road like a fool, madly in love -with her!</p> - -<p>Aye, this evidenced my folly, I will -admit, but as they say here, “What -would you?” She was the first lady I -had seen in three years of cruising, and -such a woman! If you had seen her -you would have understood. How I -had searched for her! Blue eyes, dark -hair; tall, exquisitely molded, graceful -figure; dainty hands and feet—this -vague description might have fitted -any woman or a million, and she was -one of that million. It was no use. -I should never see her again, and if I -saw her now, disgraced as I was, I -must avoid her. So absorbed was I -in these miserable musings that I hadn’t -heeded a tap at the door.</p> - -<p>“<i>Ma foi!</i>” cried a rather shrill, metallic -voice as a man opened the door -and stepped within. “My dear friend, -I have rapped several times, and so I -took the liberty....”</p> - -<p>“Oh, come in by all means, Monsieur -du Trémigon,” I replied, rising<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_275"></a>[Pg 275]</span> -and welcoming the newcomer, although -with no great cordiality.</p> - -<p>He was the hatefulest of all the -crowd with whom I had cast my lot -since I had been in Paris, and I more -than suspected it was to him that I -had passed those little pieces of paper -which began more and more definitely -to impress themselves upon my recollection.</p> - -<p>“I suppose,” I said, “that you have -come to settle our accounts of last -night, Monsieur?”</p> - -<p>“There is no haste about that,” he -returned politely enough, “but since -you insist, as well now as any other -time.”</p> - -<p>“I shall be honest with you, Marquis,” -I returned bluntly; “I’m afraid -I shall have to ask your indulgence for -a short time.”</p> - -<p>He drew from his pocket a package -of papers and laid them on the table. -I took them up as I spoke, and although -I am no great hand at figures, -I saw that the total was appalling. -My heart sank, but I flatter myself that -I displayed as equable a demeanor as -the man opposite me. It has always -been my practice to put a bold face on -everything.</p> - -<p>“Pray give yourself no uneasiness -whatever about these little matters,” -said the Marquis in his most genial -manner—and the more gentle and -kindly he was, strange to say, the more -I hated him! “Or rather,” he continued, -interrupting me as I began to -speak, “I can show you a way to discharge -them with little difficulty to -yourself, and that immediately.”</p> - -<p>“Show me that way!” I cried. “I -will avail myself of it at once. To tell -you the truth, I am sick of the life I -have led in this city.”</p> - -<p>“I thought,” said du Trémigon, -smiling meaningly, “that you were -scarcely suited for——”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” I cried, glad -for the chance to vent my indignation -upon someone. “Didn’t I bear myself -like a gentleman?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, quite so, entirely so. You -misapprehend me, my dear Burnham,” -he protested.</p> - -<p>“Well, I dare say you are right,” I -replied carelessly, too troubled to -quarrel, “I am a sailor. The sea is -my world. I am at home there or on -my father’s plantation in the Carolinas. -But this is nothing to you. The point -is, I am in your debt.”</p> - -<p>“This ring, Monsieur,” said the Marquis, -lifting his hand. “Do you know -whose it is?”</p> - -<p>“Yours, I suppose, since you won -it,” I replied. “It was mine.”</p> - -<p>“Pardon me, it was originally -mine.”</p> - -<p>“What!”</p> - -<p>“Mine.”</p> - -<p>“Then you are——?”</p> - -<p>“The gentleman whose purse you -kindly relieved him of a few weeks ago -in England.”</p> - -<p>“Impossible!” I cried.</p> - -<p>“Impossible, but true, Monsieur. -I recognized you when I met you last -week at Varesi’s”—the name of a -popular gambling resort—“I wasn’t -quite sure, however. At least, I had -no proof until last night. This ring? -You remember taking it?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, perfectly,” I said.</p> - -<p>“And this louis?” He pulled out -the curiously marked coin. “A pocket -piece I have had for a long time. I -should know it among a thousand.”</p> - -<p>“You have established your case,” -I answered defiantly. “You understand -that I am no common thief or -highwayman? I am an American -naval officer. Serving under Cunningham -on a privateer, I was captured, -thrown into prison, escaped. Being -penniless in the enemy’s country I -determined to take the purse of the -first traveler who came along. I took -you for an Englishman. When I -knew you were French, it was too late. -I can only say that I will give you -another I. O. U. for all that I have -despoiled you of, and so soon as I can -communicate with America you shall -have the money.”</p> - -<p>The Marquis showed his white teeth -in a grin—how I loathed him!—waving -his hands as he did so.</p> - -<p>“As to that, we will discuss it presently. -Meanwhile, what did you do<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_276"></a>[Pg 276]</span> -with the papers you robbed me of in -England?”</p> - -<p>“Tore them to pieces and scattered -them in the first river I crossed.”</p> - -<p>“Damnation!” cried the man. “I -could stand the loss of the money, but -the loss of those papers wellnigh -ruined me!”</p> - -<p>“How so?”</p> - -<p>“I was carrying some secret despatches -to the British Government, -in spite of the war, and your blundering -made me fail in my mission.”</p> - -<p>“Blundering!” I cried.</p> - -<p>“Pray be calm, Monsieur,” he exclaimed; -“the word may have been -ill-advised, but you will recognize that -some consideration is due me.”</p> - -<p>He looked meaningly at the little -pile of notes. I followed his glance, -snatched up another piece of paper, -scribbled a line on it and added it to -the heap.</p> - -<p>“That covers your loss, including -the ring.”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur Burnham,” said the Marquis, -“are you aware of the exceedingly -difficult position into which you -have got yourself?”</p> - -<p>“I should say I am! Being absolutely -without funds, I am forced to -ask total strangers to accept my bare -word that I will discharge my obligations -so soon as I hear from America. -This, with the seas swarming with -British ships, may be a matter of -months.”</p> - -<p>“There is your Ambassador. He -knows you, doubtless?”</p> - -<p>“Dr. Franklin doesn’t know me from -Adam. He’s a Philadelphia Quaker, -and I am from North Carolina. He -has never seen me, nor I him. He -knows my father and family, though. -If there were any of our officers in -the city, if Commodore Jones or Dick -Dale had only returned from Texel, -I should be all right, but as it is, I am -completely at your mercy.”</p> - -<p>I hated to say that word, but there -was no help for it. The Marquis bowed -gracefully.</p> - -<p>“Your remark is singularly accurate, -Monsieur. At my mercy!”</p> - -<p>He opened his mouth and tapped -his white teeth with two of his white -fingers. I wanted to choke him. -Why, I could not say, for he had been -considerate, and I owed him a lot of -money. I had robbed him in England, -and, besides, I had put him to serious -inconvenience.</p> - -<p>“At my mercy,” he repeated, nodding.</p> - -<p>“I have admitted that fact,” I said -sharply. “I do not see that it is necessary -to remind me of it again.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, pardon me. You Americans -are so impetuous. Cultivate calmness, -my friend—English phlegm, if -you will. It is a most valuable asset -in any game.”</p> - -<p>“That’s as may be, Marquis, but I -play no more games with you.”</p> - -<p>“Pardon me again,” he returned -coolly; “we play yet one more hand, -Monsieur, and I have the deal.”</p> - -<p>“What are you driving at?”</p> - -<p>“I told you there was a way by -which you could discharge your obligations.”</p> - -<p>“Declare it then, and let us close -this transaction!”</p> - -<p>“You are doubtless unaware, and I -speak to you in confidence, that my -large estates are greatly encumbered. -I have a passion for play. I do not -always enjoy the fortune I have had -with you, and—” He laughed as he -spoke. “In short, I find myself in -very straitened circumstances.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose you want your money -and want it quick?” I burst out. -“I can understand and I promise -you——”</p> - -<p>“There you go again, Monsieur. I -want money, it is true. I was born -wanting money, I have lived wanting -money, and, I suppose, I shall die -wanting money.”</p> - -<p>You won’t have any use for it after -that, I thought, but all I said was: -“Proceed, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“You are doubtless unaware, also, -that Mademoiselle Gabrielle de Rivau, -Comtesse de Villars in her own right, -granddaughter of the Duc de Rivau-Huet, -is my cousin?”</p> - -<p>“I have never heard of the young<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_277"></a>[Pg 277]</span> -lady, but I recognize the honor of the -relationship,” I said coldly.</p> - -<p>The Marquis was not devoid of wit. -His eye flashed, but he proceeded deliberately:</p> - -<p>“Quite so. Her grandfather is my -grandfather also. She is one of the -richest women in France. Our respective -parents arranged a marriage -between us when we were children. -The carrying out of that contract depends -entirely on three people, the -young lady, the Duc de Rivau-Huet -and myself. It was stipulated that -no constraint was to be used, and that, -when she reached her twentieth year, -she was to give her consent without -pressure, freely and willingly. If she -did so, and her grandfather interposed -no objection, and I desired it, we were -to be married. If not”—he shrugged -his shoulders—“I lose.”</p> - -<p>“Lose what?”</p> - -<p>“The lady and, incidentally, her -fortune.”</p> - -<p>I confessed to a very languid interest -in the love affairs of the Marquis -and the lady, but for politeness’ -sake I asked him another question.</p> - -<p>“Permit me, since you have broached -the subject, does the lady consent or -refuse?”</p> - -<p>“She consents, but the Duke refuses.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!”</p> - -<p>“But I hope that his refusal is not -irrevocable.”</p> - -<p>“For your sake I trust so,” I replied. -“Yet I fail to see how this -concerns me.”</p> - -<p>“You shall learn directly. Mademoiselle -de Villars is one of the Queen’s -maids of honor. She usually resides -at the Court at Versailles. For this -week, however, she is on leave of -absence, I have learned, and is in -residence at the Hôtel de Rivau-Huet -in Paris.”</p> - -<p>“Yes?” I said interrogatively. I -was beginning to have some curiosity -as to whither all this tended.</p> - -<p>“As I said, the Duke seems insensible -to the advantage of an alliance with -me.”</p> - -<p>No wonder, I thought, but I took -good care not to voice my feelings.</p> - -<p>“I have decided to compel him to -consent.”</p> - -<p>“And Mademoiselle de Villars?” I -questioned suspiciously.</p> - -<p>“She also wishes it. I may say”—he -simpered disgustedly—“she is more -anxious than I.”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur du Trémigon,” I said -sternly, repressing with difficulty an -inclination to kick him, “do you -assure me of the truth of what you -have said?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly.”</p> - -<p>“On your word of honor as a -gentleman?”</p> - -<p>“As a gentleman and as a noble of -France, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>I ought to have known, but I did -not, and there seemed to be nothing -for me to do but accept his statement.</p> - -<p>“How do you propose to get the -Duke’s consent?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“There is a way to apply pressure to -him, Monsieur, which will ... let -us say ... induce his consent.”</p> - -<p>“You wish to compromise her in -her grandfather’s eyes?” I said, fathoming -his meaning at last.</p> - -<p>“Exactly.”</p> - -<p>“But with her consent....”</p> - -<p>“Your intuition does you credit.”</p> - -<p>“That’s more than your intention -does you,” I burst out scornfully.</p> - -<p>“I can afford to indulge you in -these little pleasantries, my friend,” -he returned, with an evil look, “because....”</p> - -<p>“Why?” I cried.</p> - -<p>“Because I intend that you shall -be my agent in the little process.”</p> - -<p>“You are reckoning without your -host, Monsieur,” I said quickly. I was -boiling with rage.</p> - -<p>“But not without my servant, -Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“Servant?” I raged.</p> - -<p>“Yes. Do you realize that I have -but to place these things in the hands -of the authorities to have you clapped -into prison?”</p> - -<p>“I have been in prison before and -got out. I can stand it again—for the -sake of a woman.”</p> - -<p>“You will doubtless get out of the -prison into which I shall put you,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_278"></a>[Pg 278]</span> -but it will be to go to the hangman, or -to the headsman if you can prove -your gentle blood.”</p> - -<p>“What!”</p> - -<p>“You forget that little transaction -in England. You are a highway -robber! I have evidence enough to -convict you beyond doubt.”</p> - -<p>“The French Government would -never....”</p> - -<p>“The French Government is angry -enough over the loss of those papers, -and the punishment for highway robbery -is death,” he sneered.</p> - -<p>“My God!” I cried.</p> - -<p>“’Tis useless to appeal to Him,” -mocked du Trémigon. “Rather do -you fall back on your mother-wit—if -you have any—to help you.”</p> - -<p>“What do you wish me to do?” I -asked desperately.</p> - -<p>“’Tis very simple. We are about -the same height and build. We do -not look unlike——”</p> - -<p>“You flatter me!”</p> - -<p>“’Tis the fact that does that,” -he replied, bowing deeply. “In the -dusk you can easily pass for me, especially -if you wear a familiar suit of -my clothes. I will get you into the -grounds of the Hôtel de Rivau-Huet -below Mademoiselle’s apartments. -The building is vine-covered. Being -a sailor you can easily scale the wall -and enter her chamber. You are to -bring me thence some article of personal -wearing apparel—say a slipper, -or a ring, or——”</p> - -<p>“Is that all?”</p> - -<p>“That’s all.”</p> - -<p>“Why don’t you do it yourself?”</p> - -<p>“It is hardly necessary to enter upon -that, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“If I am to do the thing,” I replied -hotly, “I must know everything.”</p> - -<p>“Well, then, the Duc de Rivau-Huet -has threatened me with imprisonment -if he catches me in his hôtel again.”</p> - -<p>“And you wish me to take that -risk?”</p> - -<p>The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>“I am to do this at the peril of my -life?”</p> - -<p>“It seems to me,” said the Marquis -equably, “that your life is forfeit if -you don’t do it, and——”</p> - -<p>“Enough!” I answered. “I am in -your power. When I made the serious -mistake of taking you for a gentleman -I began my ruin. I’m sorry I didn’t -kill you in England. I suppose there’s -no help for it. I must do the work. -When do you wish this adventure -undertaken?”</p> - -<p>“Tonight. If you will come to my -rooms, I will fit you out, give you the -plan of the hôtel and make all other -arrangements.”</p> - -<p>“And those papers?”</p> - -<p>“They shall be returned to you when -you place what you secure from the -room in my hands.”</p> - -<p>“What assurance have I as to that?”</p> - -<p>“The word of a gentleman.”</p> - -<p>“In your case I prefer something -else.”</p> - -<p>The Marquis flushed angrily. Why -he controlled himself I do not know, -unless it was because he was so -desperately anxious to carry out his -plan and I was his only instrument.</p> - -<p>“What do you propose?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“To go before a notary and draw -up an agreement, leaving the papers -in his hands, including the ring and -the coin, and a signed statement, -acquitting me of complication in the -robbery. These papers he is to give -to me in the morning, if I succeed. -Furthermore, I won’t go into the -matter without the assistance of an -old sailor with whom I cruised.”</p> - -<p>“Take as many assistants as you -please, Monsieur,” said the Marquis; -“and now we will go to my apartments. -Will you honor me?”</p> - -<p>He rose and offered me his arm.</p> - -<p>“I have to do your dirty work,” I -replied, “and that obliges me to walk -by your side, I suppose, but it doesn’t -compel me to take your arm.”</p> - -<p>My soul revolted against carrying -out my part of the plot, even though -by so doing I was obliging a lady. -True, she might be—and if his words -were true, she was—in love with du -Trémigon, but I was sure she could -not know him as I knew him. Besides, -what were the love affairs of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_279"></a>[Pg 279]</span> -Marquis and his cousin to me? I had -no personal interest in either of them.</p> - -<p>All I had to do was to fetch a slipper -or some personal belonging from her -chamber, as she herself desired. The -long and short of it was that I was -resolved to do it. I had to!</p> - -<h3>II<br /> -THE SLIPPER IS FOUND</h3> - -<p>From some servant in the Duc de -Rivau-Huet’s hôtel, du Trémigon had -learned that the Comtesse de Villars was -to be from home that night. He arranged -to have me passed through the -gate. After that I was to look out -for myself. The Duke’s hôtel, which -was surrounded by ample grounds, -was just outside the city walls. The -Marquis told me that, dressed in his -clothes and with a cloak he was accustomed -to wear, I should very well pass -for him, and that in all probability no -one would molest me unless I fell in -with Éspiau, the Duke’s body-servant, -or some of the upper officers of the -household. The domestics were well -affected toward him, and as all the -world loves a lover, they would be -disposed rather to encourage than to -hinder.</p> - -<p>Du Trémigon, with singular parsimony, -I thought, had designed a rather -shabby suit for my use. I insisted -upon seeing his wardrobe and selected -the handsomest garments he possessed. -He protested, but vainly, for I said -that I must be dressed like a gentleman. -He pointed out that I would -probably tear and certainly soil his -court suit in climbing. I returned -that if I carried out his enterprise and -won him a rich wife he could well -afford to lose a suit, whereas if I were -caught and shot it would be some -consolation to me to know that I was -well dressed for dying.</p> - -<p>I took a sword from the rare collection -of weapons which he had in his -apartments. I may not be much of a -card player, but I pride myself that I -know a weapon, and I chose a blade -that I could depend upon. I got two -pistols for myself and two for worthy -Master Bucknall. Bucknall was an -old shipmate of mine. I knew I -could depend upon him. We had -fought side by side on several cruises, -and although he had not been with -me when I was captured, he had appeared -in Paris after a shipwreck in -which he had been picked up by a -French frigate. I found him penniless, -and, of course, took care of him, -intending to take him with me when -I saw Dr. Franklin and arranged to -go back to America. The Marquis -had him fetched from his lodging, and -I explained the whole situation to the -worthy seaman.</p> - -<p>Bucknall was to remain concealed -in the grounds beneath Mademoiselle’s -room while I was within. I -didn’t care to be taken in the rear, -and I knew if an alarm were given, -that Bucknall would keep a way of -escape open for me as long as he could. -To him I gave my sword and pistols.</p> - -<p>I had studied a plan of the chateau -and I knew the lay of the land and the -position of the chambers perfectly. -A bath, a rest and a meal completed -my preparations. No, I forget one -thing. I knew that many a door that -will not open to iron and steel is facile -to a golden key, and I made du Trémigon -provide me with a rouleau of -louis. He did it with an ill grace. In the -first place he had none too many, and, -in the second, I suppose, he thought he -had laid out enough in the adventure. -I insisted, however, giving him in lieu -thereof another signed paper to add to -his collection. This and the visit to -the notary, where I saw things made -secure from my point of view, filled -the day.</p> - -<p>At eight o’clock we sallied forth. -Du Trémigon had furnished us with a -couple of horses. We had no difficulty -passing the gates—he had provided -us with the password—and finding -the Duke’s mansion. The Marquis did -not accompany us. He intended to -give out that he had paid a visit to the -Countess in her chamber, and in proof -of it was to exhibit her slipper. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_280"></a>[Pg 280]</span> -Countess, being at a masked ball where -no one could recognize her for hours, -could not disprove his statement. Of -course, if anybody saw him elsewhere -his plan would fail, so he was to lie -close and await our return.</p> - -<p>When we came near the place I left -the horses in care of an innkeeper to -whom du Trémigon had recommended -me. I gave instructions to have them -ready for instant service at any time. -I expected that we would be back before -midnight. Then Bucknall and I -walked boldly down the road toward -the gate of the mansion. Du Trémigon -had told us that his servant was one-eyed, -so Bucknall was disguised by a -patch over one eye, which gave him -great inconvenience, by the way, and -at which, sailor-like, the old sea-dog -growled mightily. I drew the Marquis’s -cloak up around my neck, pulled -my hat down, and assumed as well as -I could his mincing gait and manner. -In the dark we might well pass for -du Trémigon and his servant. The -porter at the gate was expecting us. -He made no difficulty about passing -us through. Then we were left to -shift for ourselves.</p> - -<p>The night was dark and chill. There -were no dogs in the yard. The Duke -kept his hounds in the country. No -one disturbed us as we made our way -cautiously along the wall under the -trees to the window of the Countess’s -apartment. A few lights showed here -and there through the different openings -on this side of the house. Among -them a faint illumination came from -the window beneath which we stood. I -looked at it with interest. It seemed -that no one could be in the room. -The light was probably a single candle, -left burning in case of need. This -agreed with our information.</p> - -<p>Making sure that no one saw us, we -crossed the grass and stopped under -the window. The house was an old -one. There were buttresses against -the wall, and the one nearest the -Countess’s window was in a dilapidated -condition. A vine ran all over this -side of the building. I was always -active and I had not dissipated in -Paris long enough to have lost my -nerve. I glanced upward. It would -not be difficult. If the vine held—and -its stem was as thick as my wrist—the -ascent would be easy. Wrapping -my cloak around me so as to protect -du Trémigon’s clothes, and with a word -of caution to Bucknall, whom I saw -secreted comfortably in the black recess -between the buttress and the wall, -I quickly made my way up. So long -as I had the assistance of the buttress it -was nearly as easy as walking up a stair, -or as simple as climbing the battens -on the side of a ship. The last yard -was more difficult, but I managed it -with a few scratches and with a minimum -of noise.</p> - -<p>I had no opportunity to peer into -the room or see what was before me. -I reached the sill, threw my leg over it -and stepped quietly within. I stood -by the window listening. Neither from -outside nor inside was there any sound. -I had been unobserved.</p> - -<p>Satisfying myself on this point, I -stepped back from the window to avoid -the line of light and looked about me. -The room appeared to be a woman’s -sitting-room. There was an air of refinement, -of grace and culture about it -that made me sure. There were books -on the table, pictures on the walls, a -piece of some sort of needlework -thrown carelessly on a chair. Several -doors opened from the room. According -to the plan, that on the right should -be the Countess’s boudoir, and beyond -that her bedchamber. I stepped softly -across to this door. I listened. There -was no one in the other room apparently. -I turned the handle carefully -and entered.</p> - -<p>Just beyond me was the door of the -bedroom. Repeating my performance, -I walked over to it and listened. No -one was there. I opened the door and -looked in. Like the others this room -was lighted by a single candle. Like -the others, it was unoccupied.</p> - -<p>It was quite evident that du Trémigon’s -informant was correct. The -Countess was out. Her maid, who -should have been on guard, had taken -advantage of her mistress’s absence to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_281"></a>[Pg 281]</span> -go off on a little jaunt of her own, I -supposed. I closed the door of the -bedroom softly and began a hasty -examination of the boudoir. A dress -lay across a chair. A magnificent costume, -it seemed to me.</p> - -<p>A pair of shoes—a ravishing pair of -tiny shoes—stood on the floor at the -bottom of the gown. These might do. -But no, they had not been worn; they -were entirely new. Du Trémigon had -insisted upon something personal and -familiar. I walked over to the dressing-table, -which was covered with a -mass of silver and porcelain. They -bore the de Villars crest, but so did a -number of things in du Trémigon’s -own home. None of them would answer.</p> - -<p>I remembered the room contained -a closet. Nerving myself further, I -opened the nearest door. On the floor, -confronting me, lay a pair of small, -worn, blue satin slippers with red heels. -They were slightly shaped to the feet -of the wearer from long usage. There -were no other feet in the world that -could wear those slippers, in all probability. -I stooped and picked one up. -It would serve admirably.</p> - -<h3>III<br /> -THE SLIPPER IS RENOUNCED</h3> - -<p>With the slipper still in my hand, I -turned to find myself confronting a -woman!</p> - -<p>She was standing at the door leading -to the antechamber. How long she -had been there I knew not. Indeed, -after the first start of surprise, I had -room for but one thought. The woman -was she whom I had rescued on -the way to Paris, with whom I had -fallen madly in love! For whom I -had sought high and low—whom I had -prayed that I might see again.</p> - -<p>She was looking at me composedly -from under level brows. I observed -that her hand was on the bell-cord.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur,” she said—and oh, how -well I remembered her voice—“if you -move, or make a sound, I pull the bell. -My servants are within a moment’s call. -You will be overpowered immediately.”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle,” I returned, disguising -my natural voice as well as I could -and thanking the Lord that my French -was perfect, and that in the dim light, -she did not recognize me apparently, -“I am at your service.”</p> - -<p>“I wish,” she continued, “to talk -with you. The situation amuses me.”</p> - -<p>She spoke as she might in the presence -of some new spectacle. Her manner -assured me that her interest in -me was entirely impersonal. She was -tired and bored. This was a new experience -apparently which she wished -to make the most of. I could think -of nothing adequate to say, so I bowed -profoundly.</p> - -<p>“What is your name and what are -you doing here?”</p> - -<p>“My name, Mademoiselle, matters -nothing.” In my agitation I forgot, -and spoke in my natural voice. She -started as she lifted the candle and -looked keenly at me.</p> - -<p>“Why!” she exclaimed, “’tis the -man of the highway!”</p> - -<p>I do not know whether I was glad or -sorry to hear her say those words. At -first I thought to deny it, but somehow -it was impossible.</p> - -<p>“You have discovered me, Mademoiselle,” -I said.</p> - -<p>“Then you were masquerading as a -sailor. Now——”</p> - -<p>She looked me over from head to -heel, and I have been told since that I -made a brave appearance. Du Trémigon -had displayed excellent taste in -clothing, and this was his handsomest -suit. I stood proudly erect, putting a -bold face on the situation, with one -hand upon my sword, my hat in the -other, which also held the slipper, as if -I were about to be presented to the -King.</p> - -<p>“Now,” she said, “you are masquerading -as a gentleman.”</p> - -<p>“Pardon, Mademoiselle,” I returned, -“I am a gentleman”—she put up her -hand, but I would not be denied—“masquerading -as a ... thief.”</p> - -<p>I blessed her in my heart for her -hesitation over that word.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_282"></a>[Pg 282]</span></p> - -<p>“Is it because you have stolen the -Marquis du Trémigon’s clothes?—for I -believe, if I am not mistaken, they are -his.”</p> - -<p>“Your observation does you infinite -credit, Mademoiselle.”</p> - -<p>“I thought so. Is it for that reason -you are masquerading as a thief?”</p> - -<p>“Because I have come here without -regard to clothes to—” I protested.</p> - -<p>“To take my jewels?” she interrupted.</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle!” I cried, starting -back, the blood flaming in my face -again. “You think——”</p> - -<p>“I think nothing, Monsieur. I discover -a strange man in my apartments -at night. He says that he is masquerading -as a thief. What else am I to -infer?”</p> - -<p>I was dumb before her merciless -logic.</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle,” I began desperately, -“I deeply regret——”</p> - -<p>“So, too, do I. I knew—at least I -thought I knew, on that day, the day -you did me such brave service—that -you were a gentleman, in spite of what -you wore, yet—well, I see I was deceived.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t say that!” I protested again.</p> - -<p>“Why not, Monsieur?”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle, I am here in defiance -of every rule of propriety, I will admit. -You may well think me a thief,” I -began, with passionate haste, “but I -am only following your example.”</p> - -<p>“How, sir?” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“You, too, are not guiltless of -robbery.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” she asked, -indignantly drawing herself up.</p> - -<p>Oh, how magnificent she looked! I -wanted to throw myself at her feet -and confess everything, but I did not—then.</p> - -<p>“You have stolen my heart, Mademoiselle.”</p> - -<p>“And you came to look for it in my -jewel-case?” She laughed somewhat -contemptuously.</p> - -<p>“I have come for yours in exchange,” -said I; although I had a neat opening -in her question, I judged it best to let -it pass.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur!”</p> - -<p>“I am a poor sailor, Mademoiselle, -but I have sought you throughout the -land. I babbled everywhere as I ran -of blue eyes, dark hair, a witching -face. I found you—nowhere!”</p> - -<p>There was a ring of truth in these -words—although of course it did not -explain my presence there—that I believe -influenced her.</p> - -<p>“’Tis impossible, Monsieur—” she -began at last.</p> - -<p>“Look into the glass, Mademoiselle, -and see how believable it is,” I broke -in.</p> - -<p>“That you should have come here on -such an errand and——”</p> - -<p>“I would go to the end of the world -if I might find you there, Mademoiselle,” -I boldly said, taking a step -nearer to her.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur!” she cried, clutching the -bell-rope once more. “Pray keep your -distance.”</p> - -<p>“I am content merely to look at -you,” I said, stopping short instantly.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur, on your word of honor -as a—” She paused.</p> - -<p>“As a thief?” I questioned.</p> - -<p>“As a gentleman,” she said softly, -and I could have kissed her feet for -that. “Did you come here for -me?”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle,” I said, “it is a long -story. You have honored me by -your conversation. You found something -gentle in me on the road and in -spite of appearances—that are so grievously -against me now—you have reposed -a certain degree of confidence -in me. Will you allow me to tell -you briefly who and what I am?”</p> - -<p>“I am anxious to learn it.”</p> - -<p>“Will you not be seated? You -may release the bell-rope, on my word, -without danger. I would rather die -than harm you. Indeed, my greatest -ambition is to devote my life to your -service.”</p> - -<p>“Fine words, Monsieur, and such -as I have often heard from other -cavaliers.”</p> - -<p>“I doubt it not, Mademoiselle. -Such beauty of person and grace of -mind as yours cannot remain unchallenged.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_283"></a>[Pg 283]</span> -This shall be my excuse.”</p> - -<p>“No more of this, if you please, but -of yourself.” It was ineffable condescension, -and you may imagine how -I appreciated the honor.</p> - -<p>“My name is Francis Burnham. My -family on the distaff side is French—Huguenot. -The blood, I believe, is -noble. My great-grandfather was an -English gentleman. My father met -my mother in North Carolina. The -acreage my father owns is equal to a -French county.”</p> - -<p>“You are an American, then?”</p> - -<p>“I have that honor. I am also an -officer in the American Navy. My -country is ill provided with warships. -Many naval officers have been forced -to accept positions in privateers. I -was a lieutenant in Captain Gustavus -Cunningham’s privateer ship, the Revenge. -We were captured by a British -frigate and taken to a British prison-ship. -I escaped thence and was on -my way to Paris, to see Dr. Franklin, -when I had the good fortune to be of -some slight service to you. That gold -piece you gave me, I have it here.” -I saw her hand involuntarily move to -her breast and my heart leaped as it -assured me that she also had retained -and cherished the coin I had forced -upon her. “I have loved you ever -since I saw you that day, Mademoiselle. -I have sought you in vain only -to find you tonight.”</p> - -<p>“That, Monsieur,” she said quietly, -“does not yet explain your presence -here.”</p> - -<p>I was dumb again.</p> - -<p>“How did you discover my abode?”</p> - -<p>I could make no reply.</p> - -<p>“How did you learn my name?”</p> - -<p>Unthinking, I answered:</p> - -<p>“I do not know your name at this -moment.”</p> - -<p>“I am Gabrielle de Rivau, Comtesse -de Villars.”</p> - -<p>“Great heavens!” I exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Would you believe it? It had not -occurred to me for a moment that -this was she! I had jumped to the -conclusion that she was perhaps some -friend of the Countess’s. I had never -dreamed that fate could deal me so -sorry a trick as to involve me in such -a part against the woman I adored. -“Are you the Comtesse de Villars?”</p> - -<p>“I am.”</p> - -<p>“I did not know.”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur Burnham, you are full -of mystery.”</p> - -<p>“I have told you nothing but the -truth, Mademoiselle.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but not all of it. Is it not so?”</p> - -<p>I was silent.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur, do you not realize that -I have committed a great imprudence -in allowing you to converse with me -here alone, under such circumstances? -That my duty should be to pull the -bell and hand you over to the Duke’s -retainers for punishment? That you -owe much to my forbearance?”</p> - -<p>“I realize all that you say, Mademoiselle, -and I am filled with shame.”</p> - -<p>“Why, then, are you here? What -are you doing in the Marquis du -Trémigon’s clothing? What is that -you hold?” I thoughtlessly lifted my -hand. “My slipper!” she exclaimed, -flushing in her turn. “You have -been in my closet yonder. What does -it all mean?”</p> - -<p>“I will speak!” I replied desperately, -resolved to make a clean breast of the -whole affair. “I am in the power of -the Marquis du Trémigon. I owe him -money.”</p> - -<p>“Heaven help you!”</p> - -<p>“I am surprised to hear you say -that!” I exclaimed in amazement.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur,” she said quickly, disregarding -my remark, “my purse is on -the table. Let me discharge my obligation. -Take what you will.”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle, for God’s sake, think -not so unkindly of me! He threatened -me with imprisonment for debt. That -is nothing, a mere bagatelle. I could -have borne that without hesitation. I -have broken prison before.”</p> - -<p>“Well?”</p> - -<p>“There is more. When I escaped -from the British prison-ship I was penniless; -alone in England. I halted the -first traveler I met, thinking to despoil -the enemy for my needs as an act of -war. That traveler happened to be<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_284"></a>[Pg 284]</span> -the Marquis du Trémigon. I met him -afterward at—at places where they -play in Paris,” I went on. “He won -all my money, a ring I had taken from -him and a coin which bore certain -markings. These things were proofs -positive. He threatened to charge me -with highway robbery. The punishment -is death. I pleaded with him, -promising to repay him if he would give -me time. Our minister is absent, Commodore -Paul Jones not in Paris. I -was desperate. I loved life, Mademoiselle, -for it held you as a possibility.”</p> - -<p>“But that you should come here, -Monsieur? How does that——?”</p> - -<p>“Hear me, Mademoiselle. The Marquis -du Trémigon has informed me -of the nature of the agreement regarding -your proposed marriage.”</p> - -<p>“And what did Monsieur du Trémigon -say as to that?”</p> - -<p>“That by the terms of the contract -three people must consent willingly before -the marriage can take place.”</p> - -<p>“Three, Monsieur?”</p> - -<p>“He said so.”</p> - -<p>“And those are?”</p> - -<p>“Yourself, your grandfather and -himself.”</p> - -<p>Her lip curled.</p> - -<p>“Proceed, Monsieur. This is most -interesting.”</p> - -<p>“He said further that you were—forgive -me—anxious to marry him.”</p> - -<p>I could see Mademoiselle clench her -hand. I could mark the flash of her -eye.</p> - -<p>“That he was anxious to marry -you, but that your grandfather refused -his consent. And that, with your approval, -he had arranged to”—it was a -deeply humiliating thing to say with her -standing before me like an outraged -goddess, but I had to go on—“to compromise -you with him so that your -grandfather would no longer withhold -his consent.”</p> - -<p>“And you were to be the means -whereby this plan was to be carried -out?”</p> - -<p>“To my shame I admit it. I agreed -to come here and take some article -belonging to you of a personal character.”</p> - -<p>“My slipper?”</p> - -<p>“That or whatever else I could secure. -I wore his clothes because he -wished the servants to recognize them, -and thus be prepared to swear that he -was with you.”</p> - -<p>“’Tis a pretty plot for a gentleman!”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle, to my sorrow and -regret, I acknowledge it. Yet I beg -to assure you that not even the fear of -imprisonment or death would have -made me consent, had I not believed -that I was doing a lady a service.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think you do any lady a -service by forcing her into the arms of -Marquis du Trémigon?”</p> - -<p>“But if she loves him?”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur,” she said hotly, “she -hates him!”</p> - -<p>“Is it possible?”</p> - -<p>“You have been grossly deceived. -The only consent necessary to the marriage -is my own. My grandfather has -not withheld his consent. He has left -it entirely to me.”</p> - -<p>“You, Mademoiselle?” I exclaimed, -my heart leaping at the thought that -she did not love that villain.</p> - -<p>“I have refused and shall refuse. -The whole plan is an attempt to compromise -me, to force my consent.”</p> - -<p>Into what a scheme had I been betrayed! -The sweat rose to my forehead.</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle,” I cried, “for God’s -sake acquit me of any such dishonor!”</p> - -<p>“I do, Monsieur, freely.”</p> - -<p>“I shall go back to du Trémigon and -explain my appearance to him immediately. -I shall compel him to give me -satisfaction for this insult—an insult to -you as well as to me. Your quarrel -with him shall be mine. He will trouble -you no more,” I added significantly.</p> - -<p>“Your plan is vain, Monsieur. I -know the Marquis du Trémigon. You -will find him surrounded by such a -force as will paralyze your efforts. He -will refuse to fight with you.”</p> - -<p>“At least I shall have the satisfaction -of telling him what I think, and I shall -go to prison if necessary.”</p> - -<p>“I would not have you suffer on my -account, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_285"></a>[Pg 285]</span></p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle, you are kindness -itself. I deserve nothing whatever at -your hands. If you could only believe -in me, in my love for you, a little before -I go——”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur, the circumstances are -very unusual. That day you so bravely -rescued me from those scoundrels -and treated me with such chivalry, I -knew you were not of the common -people. Your dress indicated that, but -my heart—my mind, that is—told me -otherwise.”</p> - -<p>Her voice faltered, but she looked at -me clearly with those glorious eyes of -hers.</p> - -<p>“But when I found you here and -thought you meant to degrade me, to -force me into the arms of that villain——”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle!” I protested, “you -cannot accuse me as I do myself. At -least I can make amends now.”</p> - -<p>“But is there nothing I can do for -you?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“Nothing. The papers, the obligations, -the evidence against me, are in -the hands of a notary. If he does not -hear from the Marquis and myself tomorrow, -he has orders to hand the -packet to the Chief of Police.”</p> - -<p>“What do you propose to do, sir?”</p> - -<p>“To warn you. Beware of du Trémigon. -Although he has failed in this -instance, he will surely strive again to -compromise your honor. There will be -one ray of comfort in my soul, that I -have again been able to render some -slight assistance to you. And I cherish -the hope, if you think of me at all, that -you will bear in mind that I love you.”</p> - -<p>“But, Monsieur——”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle, if I had met you -under happier circumstances, I should -have made it my prayer to live for you. -Now at least I can die for you, and I -trust that my death will redeem this -disgrace upon my name.”</p> - -<p>I laid the little slipper softly on -the table. I kissed it tenderly, reverently, -before I put it down. I stepped -nearer to her. She stood, as if paralyzed, -gazing upon me. There was a -flush in her cheeks; her bosom heaved. -I sank at her feet and took her hand. -It was icy cold. Mine was burning. I -kissed it fervently and rose.</p> - -<p>“Farewell,” I said, and then heard -sounds, footsteps in the hall, a knock at -the door of the anteroom through which -I had to pass in order to make my -escape.</p> - -<h3>IV<br /> -THE SLIPPER IS BESTOWED</h3> - -<p>I made a swift movement toward -the door, intending to rush to the -window, no matter who barred the -way. I reached for my sword as I -did so. Quick as I was, Mademoiselle -was quicker. Although her face had -gone white at the noise, she had instantly -begun to sing—strange action, -for which I could then see no excuse. -Still lilting lightly a charming little -air, she stood between me and the -door.</p> - -<p>“Not that way!” she whispered in -the breaks of the song. “It would be -death. In there.”</p> - -<p>She pointed toward her bedroom. -The knocking was resumed, this time -more loudly. A voice cried:</p> - -<p>“Countess Gabrielle!”</p> - -<p>Her check of me had spoiled my -chance. There was nothing but obedience. -I slipped into the bedroom -and closed the door. The song broke -off suddenly. I could hear distinctly -all that was said. Mademoiselle raised -her voice, crying:</p> - -<p>“Who is there?”</p> - -<p>“Your grandfather,” was the answer.</p> - -<p>“Enter, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“The door is locked.”</p> - -<p>How I blessed that lock! So, I -doubt not, did Mademoiselle. She -went slowly to the antechamber, -fumbled at the lock a few moments, -and opened the door. I heard two -people enter.</p> - -<p>“Wait, Messieurs!” cried Mademoiselle -as she caught sight of the second -visitor. “I was preparing to retire.” -With marvelous quickness she had -taken off her bodice after I had entered<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_286"></a>[Pg 286]</span> -the bedroom, and was bare-necked and -armed before her grandfather. She -hastily slipped on a dressing-robe and -once more turned to him.</p> - -<p>“’Tis only Éspiau,” said the Duke -quickly.</p> - -<p>“I am very glad indeed,” said Mademoiselle, -with a gay little laugh, “for -you caught me quite unaware.”</p> - -<p>“Was I mistaken or was there a -tremble in her voice? Her situation -was grave. Had the Duke discovered -me, he would have killed me out of -hand, unless I inflicted a like penalty -upon him, which, under the circumstances, -never entered my mind.</p> - -<p>“I thought,” continued the old -Duke as he entered the boudoir, “that -I heard voices.” He looked around -suspiciously.</p> - -<p>“You did, Monsieur,” answered the -Countess.</p> - -<p>“Great heavens!” thought I, “are -you about to betray me?”</p> - -<p>“Whose?” went on the old man -again.</p> - -<p>“Mine; I was singing.”</p> - -<p>She began that little song, the music -of which I shall never forget, although -I am no great hand at carrying a tune.</p> - -<p>“Humph!” said the old man. “You -did not go to the masked ball?”</p> - -<p>“No, Monsieur, I was tired. I have -been reading in the library and have -but recently come here.”</p> - -<p>“There was no one in the anteroom -when you entered?”</p> - -<p>“No one, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Have you been in the room beyond -since you came up?”</p> - -<p>“Not yet.”</p> - -<p>“Éspiau!”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur le Duc!”</p> - -<p>“Examine yonder chamber. It may -be some thief has concealed himself -there.”</p> - -<p>The Duke turned his head away to -survey the room and Mademoiselle -shot one glance, pregnant with agony -and entreaty, at the old servant. He -had been as a father to her from childhood—indeed, -he had been her father’s -foster-brother.</p> - -<p>“Very well, Monsieur le Duc,” answered -the servant.</p> - -<p>I heard him crossing the room. What -should I do? There was no place of -concealment. The window happened to -be barred, else I should have thrown -myself from it. Should I fall upon -him and run my sword through him? -I drew the weapon, without making a -sound, and waited. The door opened -slowly and only partially, Éspiau saw -me at once. He put his finger to his -lips and closed his eyes.</p> - -<p>“I see no one, Monsieur le Duc,” he -said, turning his head.</p> - -<p>“Examine thoroughly,” returned the -old man.</p> - -<p>Éspiau stepped into the room, looked -under the bed, shook the curtains, making -a deal of noise as he moved about, -managing to say to me:</p> - -<p>“Silence, as you value your life!”</p> - -<p>Presently he returned to the others. -I breathed a long sigh of relief. I remember -wiping the sweat from my -brow.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur le Duc was doubtless -mistaken,” said the old man quietly.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said the Duke; “I’m glad of -it. Times are in such disorder. There -are many masterless men about, and -your apartment is easy of access from -the garden. I must change it, Countess.”</p> - -<p>“At your pleasure, grandfather,” -said Mademoiselle, and then she actually -began to sing that little love song -again. The courage of that girl was -superb! It made me love her more -madly than before.</p> - -<p>“I am glad to find you home,” said -the Duke, “for I have brought you -some papers which require your signature. -I intended to leave them until -morning, but unless you feel inclined -to retire——”</p> - -<p>“No, Monsieur, I never felt so wide -awake in my life,” answered Mademoiselle.</p> - -<p>“Good! I will leave them here then. -Éspiau will explain them to you, and -we can finish the discussion in the -morning. I am tired and feel the need -of rest. Good night.”</p> - -<p>“Good night, grandfather,” said Mademoiselle; -“may you rest well.”</p> - -<p>“Good night, my child,” said the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_287"></a>[Pg 287]</span> -old man, relaxing for the moment the -formality of his address as he took her -hand, drew her toward him, pressed -a kiss upon her forehead, bowed to her -as to a queen and walked away.</p> - -<p>The two left within the boudoir -moved not until the echo of the Duke’s -footsteps died away in the distance of -the corridor.</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle,” at last began Éspiau -in a voice in which sorrow and -affection strove for the mastery.</p> - -<p>“Judge me not,” said Mademoiselle -quickly.</p> - -<p>“Who is that man?”</p> - -<p>I thought now it was time for me to -make my entrance. I opened the door, -therefore, and presented myself.</p> - -<p>“My name is Francis Burnham, my -good fellow. I am an officer in the -American Navy.”</p> - -<p>“How came you here and what -would you do?”</p> - -<p>“That scoundrel du Trémigon sent -him here to compromise me,” the -Countess interposed.</p> - -<p>“The dastard!” exclaimed the servant.</p> - -<p>“But Monsieur did not think it was -I,” continued Mademoiselle. “You remember -when I went on that errand -for Her Majesty the Queen?” I started -at this. Éspiau nodded. “This gentleman -had the good fortune to save -me from capture then. I should have -been robbed of those papers. I found -him here this evening. He had abjured -his errand and was upon the point -of departure when——”</p> - -<p>“My friend,” I interrupted, “what -Mademoiselle says is absolutely true, -and I believed, furthermore, that I was -doing her a service.”</p> - -<p>“I need not your assurance for that, -Monsieur,” said the old man proudly; -“the house of de Rivau does not -lie.”</p> - -<p>“I wish the same might be said of -the house of du Trémigon; but be -that as it may, I am not anxious to forfeit -any man’s good-will.”</p> - -<p>“Not even that of a servant?” he -interrupted.</p> - -<p>“Not even that. It was a case of -life or death for me. I am in du Trémigon’s -power. Not knowing that it -was Mademoiselle—for I did not learn -until this evening that she was Comtesse -de Villars—I came. I am sorry. -I am going back to give myself up to -the Marquis. You may guess what -that will mean.” He shrugged his -shoulders. “Before I go, allow me to -express my gratitude for your forbearance. -You have saved my life. The -Duke would have killed me, for I should -have made no resistance.”</p> - -<p>“It was death for me to see you -there, to suspect—but Mademoiselle -will forgive me——”</p> - -<p>“There is no need, my good Éspiau,” -said the Countess, extending -her hand.</p> - -<p>The old man kissed it like a gentleman. -Indeed, I dare say, compared -to du Trémigon, and others that I had -met in Paris, he was as fine a gentleman -as any of them.</p> - -<p>“I should like to shake you by the -hand,” I said.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur honors me,” said Éspiau.</p> - -<p>I didn’t know whether there was sarcasm -in his voice or not, but we shook -hands vigorously.</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle,” I continued, turning -to her, “there is but one thing for -me to do.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?”</p> - -<p>“To wish you farewell and to go as -I came.”</p> - -<p>“Wait,” said Mademoiselle, her hand -on her breast. “I have something to -say to you.”</p> - -<p>“At your service, Mademoiselle.”</p> - -<p>“Éspiau, can you trust me further?”</p> - -<p>“In everything, Mademoiselle,” said -the old man.</p> - -<p>He was a well-trained fellow, with as -much tact as discretion. He bowed to -me, and I swear I couldn’t help it, I -returned his bow as if he had been an -equal, and he marched out of the room -as stately as a grenadier.</p> - -<p>“Is there no way,” began the Countess -hastily, “for you to escape du Trémigon?”</p> - -<p>“None.”</p> - -<p>“I have money.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_288"></a>[Pg 288]</span></p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle,” I cried, “I shall -take nothing from this room but the -recollection of your kindness, the consciousness -of your worth, the sense of -your beauty.”</p> - -<p>“But you will be imprisoned!”</p> - -<p>“I have had this hour of freedom. -The rest is nothing.”</p> - -<p>“They will put you to death.”</p> - -<p>“Without you, I do not care to -live.”</p> - -<p>“<i>Mon Dieu</i>, what shall I do?”</p> - -<p>“If you could say—if you could let -me believe—it will be but for a short -time—that, were the circumstances -other than they are, you might perhaps -have cared for me, it will lighten the -hours and give me something sweet -to dwell upon. It will make me indifferent -to any fate.”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur—I—I—” she faltered, -her face aflame. She buried it in her -hands.</p> - -<p>I sank on my knee and seized the -hem of her gown. Then I felt her -hands upon my head. I rose to my -feet. I don’t know how or why, but I -swept her to my breast in an embrace. -Her lips met mine.</p> - -<p>“No more,” she said, pushing me -away. “I have gone too far already. -You must not go to him now.”</p> - -<p>“I am in heaven already, Mademoiselle, -and death cannot alter the fact -that you return my love.”</p> - -<p>“But you will not go to him?”</p> - -<p>“I must.”</p> - -<p>“No!”</p> - -<p>She stooped, and before I knew what -she was about, she took off one of her -dainty slippers—warm from her little -foot—and placed it in my hand.</p> - -<p>“Give that to him,” she said; “you -will be free and I shall know how to -protect myself.”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle!”</p> - -<p>“In pity leave me! Go!”</p> - -<p>I could not resist that. Besides, -after a warning cough Éspiau thrust -his head through the door and said -quickly:</p> - -<p>“Someone comes! You must hasten!”</p> - -<p>I kissed her hand, and with one backward -glance tore myself away.</p> - -<h3>V<br /> -THE SLIPPER IS RETURNED</h3> - -<p>To scramble down the ivy was the -work of a few seconds. The faithful -Bucknall was waiting. Without a -word we bounded across the park and -the bribed turnkey let us out. As -for me I was treading on air. I had -never been so happy since I was a boy. -Never would she have given me that -little slipper, against which my heart -throbbed madly, if I had been indifferent -to her. Did I intend to give it to -du Trémigon? Never! I should let him -do his worst. Something would happen. -I should get out of it in some way.</p> - -<p>When we reached the inn we found -our horses ready. After we were -safely mounted old Bucknall broke -the silence.</p> - -<p>“Did ye git it, yer honor?” asked -the old sailor.</p> - -<p>“Get it, Bucknall? Do you remember -me telling you of the lady whom -I saved from highwaymen on the road -to Paris?”</p> - -<p>I had to tell someone. It would -have killed me not to have been able -to confide in a soul, and Bucknall was -faithful and devoted beyond the ordinary.</p> - -<p>“I remembers it well, sir.”</p> - -<p>“She was the lady in the house -yonder.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t say so, sir!”</p> - -<p>“I love her, Bucknall!”</p> - -<p>“Then ye didn’t git it?” said the -old salt coolly.</p> - -<p>“Get it? Of course, I got it. It’s -in my waistcoat, over my heart.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll give it to the Markis?”</p> - -<p>“Never! I’ll keep it until the day -of my death.”</p> - -<p>“That’s likely to be pretty soon, -yer honor, if wot ye say is true.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t help that. I wouldn’t give -it to that lying hound to purchase -my life. When I die I wish it buried -with me.”</p> - -<p>And then I told him squarely what -a scoundrel the Marquis was and how -he had befooled me about Mademoiselle’s -desires.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_289"></a>[Pg 289]</span></p> - -<p>“Wot are ye goin’ to do, ef I might -ax yer honor?”</p> - -<p>“I’m going to du Trémigon and tell -him I refuse to do his bidding and let -him do his worst.”</p> - -<p>“Wot’ll he do?”</p> - -<p>“Clap me into prison, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“Hadn’t we better cut an’ run fer it -right now?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t. He has my word of honor -that I would report the success or -failure of my mission.”</p> - -<p>“I guess he ain’t troublin’ hisself -about honor, is he?”</p> - -<p>“I suppose not.”</p> - -<p>“W’y should you, sir?”</p> - -<p>“That’s the disadvantage a gentleman -labors under in dealing with a -scoundrel.”</p> - -<p>“I see. Hev ye thought that ye’ll -be sarched by the police an’——?”</p> - -<p>“By Jove!” I interrupted. “That’s -so.”</p> - -<p>“An’ wot ye’ve got’ll be tuk from -ye?”</p> - -<p>This was a new complication. I had -no doubt in that case that the slipper -would eventually fall into the hands -of du Trémigon and my sacrifice would -avail nothing. What was to be done? -I could think of nothing. I had no -friends in Paris whom I could trust -except this humble sailor. Unless I -gave the slipper to him I should have -to throw it away. In truth I should -never have taken it. It was a mad -impulse that possessed the Countess -to give it me.</p> - -<p>“Bucknall,” I said at last, “you are -right. I cannot keep this slipper.”</p> - -<p>“I think not, sir.”</p> - -<p>“There is no one that I know in -Paris to whom I can intrust it but -you.”</p> - -<p>“I reckon not, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Here it is,” I said. I am not -ashamed to say that I kissed it before -I gave it to the sailor. It was dark -and he could not see, but if it had been -broad daylight I should not have -cared.</p> - -<p>“Wot am I to do with it, sir?”</p> - -<p>“I want you to do it up carefully -in a package. Put the best wrappings -about it and tie it up shipshape. -Leave it at the American minister’s -for Dr. Franklin when he comes back, -which should be tomorrow or next -day. You can get someone there to -address it to my father’s plantation.”</p> - -<p>I gave him the address and made him -repeat it many times until he had it -letter-perfect.</p> - -<p>“Now,” I said, “you must leave me -and shift for yourself. Here”—I -reached my hand in my pocket and -took out the money that du Trémigon -had given me. I might as well be -hanged for an old sheep as a lamb, I -reasoned, and I passed it all over to -the faithful sailor. “You speak passable -French,” I continued—he had -picked up enough of the language in -his Mediterranean cruises to make -himself understood—“keep yourself -close until you see the American minister. -Tell him of my plight and perhaps -he may be able to do something. -At any rate see that he forwards the -package. You need not say what’s -in it.”</p> - -<p>“What about my hoss, sir?”</p> - -<p>“Give me the rein.”</p> - -<p>“An’ I thanks God to get off’n him,” -returned Bucknall, sliding to the -ground with great alacrity. “And, -harkee, Master Burnham, ye ain’t seen -the last of me, yet, sir. I’ve got a -few idees in my ol’ head, sir, an’ don’t -you git ready for death too suddint -like.”</p> - -<p>He turned and was gone.</p> - -<p>A short time brought me to du -Trémigon’s house. He was waiting -for me, wellnigh consumed with -anxiety and curiosity. I do not care -to go into the details of our interview -that night. Suffice it to say, I felt -entirely free to express my opinion of -him and that I did so without let or -hindrance. Of course, he carried out -his part of the program, and at daybreak -I found myself in prison facing -charges of highway robbery and debts -amounting to many thousand francs.</p> - -<p>But I was happy. I had hope of -the love of the Countess and I didn’t -care a rap for anything else. I felt -that somehow, in some way, I should -manage to get out. I was the most<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_290"></a>[Pg 290]</span> -cheerful prisoner under such a heavy -charge that ever occupied a cell.</p> - -<p>Confinement, I will admit, was a -little wearing upon me. The first day -passed, and then a second, without a -sign from anybody. My examination -was set for the morrow. The turnkey -who brought me my supper slipped -me a note. I was hungry enough—for -the prison fare was scanty—but -the note claimed my attention. It was -in a woman’s hand, of course, and -could come only from her, although it -bore no crest and was not signed.</p> - -<p class="blockquot">The turnkey and the under-governor of -the jail are bribed. Tonight, after supper, -you will be removed to another cell. This -overlooks the street. The bars of the window -have been arranged so that they will -come out at a touch. When the clock in the -nearby church strikes twelve, a messenger -and a horse will await you in the alley.</p> - -<p>The note stopped there, and then a -few words had been added apparently -as an afterthought:</p> - -<p class="blockquot">These presents from one who cares much -what happens to you.</p> - -<p>If you have been in a like situation -you can guess what happened then. -When I was calmer I put the note carefully -in my pocket and fell to my -supper. I knew that I should need all -my strength, and I was of a practical -turn of mind even in the midst of my -most romantic dreams. I had scarcely -finished the poor provender when the -turnkey re-entered. He was followed -by a couple of other officials. The -turnkey in a harsh manner, as if to -impress the others, although he winked -knowingly at me, said:</p> - -<p>“By the order of the commandant -you are to be transferred to another -cell.”</p> - -<p>“I do not wish to be transferred,” I -returned hotly, to keep up the deception; -“this cell suits me very well, -and I am satisfied to remain here.”</p> - -<p>“Your wishes are not consulted in -this matter,” he returned roughly.</p> - -<p>“You villain!” I cried, menacing him.</p> - -<p>“Have a care,” he answered; “if you -don’t go peaceably we’ll have to take -you by force. Here, men!”</p> - -<p>His two assistants stepped forward. -I concluded that I had done enough, -so, grumbling mightily, and giving evidence -of my displeasure, I suffered them -to lead me to the other cell, where I was -soon locked in for the night. With -what impatience I waited for the appointed -hour!</p> - -<p>At the first stroke of the bell I was -at the window. The bars came out -in my hand. Someone had chiseled -out the mortar and replaced it with -putty. I gained the sill and dropped. -It was a long fall, but I was delighted -when I alighted upon a truss of hay, -which had evidently been thrown at -the foot of the wall on purpose to receive -me. I scrambled up and looked -about. A man approached me. He -had a weapon. I was without arms, -and although I stood ready to spring, -I had no doubt he was a messenger.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur Burnham?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“The same.”</p> - -<p>“Come with me.”</p> - -<p>I followed him down the narrow -street on tiptoe. So far as I could see -it was entirely deserted. The street -opened upon a little park or square. -Under the trees I made out horses. -There were three of them. A figure sat -upon one. My heart leaped into my -mouth as I discerned it to be a woman. -One of the horses was turned over to -me. My conductor took the third, -first handing me a hat and cloak. -Then he turned and, indicating that -we should follow, made his way into -the street. On account of the lateness -of the hour, and the fact that the -jail was in a remote and unfrequented -portion of the town, the street was -dark and empty. We passed a lantern -presently and its rays fell upon the -woman who had persistently avoided -conversation with me. Under this -light, although she wore a mask and -was shrouded in a cloak, I knew that it -was the Countess. Nothing could stop -me then. I swung my horse in toward -hers and laid my hand on her arm.</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle,” I said, “it is to -you that I owe my freedom.”</p> - -<p>“Not yet,” she replied, but she did -not shake off my hand, and we rode<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_291"></a>[Pg 291]</span> -side by side, the horses going at a good -pace.</p> - -<p>“First, you gave me something to -live for—” I said.</p> - -<p>“That was?”</p> - -<p>“Yourself. Now you give me life to -enjoy you.”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur,” she said, dodging the -issue, “we have but little time to converse. -I learned of your plight——”</p> - -<p>“How, Mademoiselle?”</p> - -<p>“From your servant, an ancient -sailor. He followed you, learned where -you were imprisoned, and immediately -sought me.”</p> - -<p>“How did he get access to you?”</p> - -<p>“He had a—talisman, Monsieur, -that insured him an immediate hearing.”</p> - -<p>I was completely puzzled, but Mademoiselle -gave me no time for thought. -She went on hurriedly:</p> - -<p>“I bribed the commandant and -turnkey. I provided these horses. -The man ahead of us is——”</p> - -<p>“Éspiau!” I exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“Yes. He will conduct you out of -France.”</p> - -<p>“And you came, Mademoiselle——??”</p> - -<p>“To say farewell.”</p> - -<p>“Never!” I cried. “I will leave -France, Mademoiselle, but not alone.”</p> - -<p>“You mean?”</p> - -<p>“I take you with me.”</p> - -<p>“Impossible!”</p> - -<p>“But do you not love me?” She -was silent. “Would you have done -all this for me if you had not?” I persisted.</p> - -<p>“Gratitude, Monsieur, for services -rendered, and——”</p> - -<p>“Nonsense!” I said, laughing, “you -know that you care. Why, I have -lived in the prison upon the memory -of that——”</p> - -<p>“You are cruel, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“Is it cruel for a man who loves a -woman to take the woman, if she loves -him, away with him?”</p> - -<p>I was young and reckless. I didn’t -care what happened. I swung my -horse in closer to hers and slipped my -arm around her. She struggled, but -in despite of her struggles I kissed her. -Her head sank on my shoulder.</p> - -<p>“Don’t!” she whispered. “You are -so strong. I cannot let you go——”</p> - -<p>That was a wise pair of horses, for -they stopped while I poured out my -soul to her there and then. What -her answer might have been I know -not. Yet I was prepared to take her -away by force when we were suddenly -alarmed by Éspiau. He had -ridden ahead a few paces; now he came -back on the run.</p> - -<p>“Soldiers!” he said hastily. “The -King’s guard! We must flee!”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur,” said the Countess, -quickly releasing herself and thrusting -a little parcel into my hand, “here is -the talisman. Go! unless you wish to -disgrace me. Éspiau and I will remain -here.”</p> - -<p>She had right on her side. We must -not be found together. To assist in -the escape of a prisoner, charged with -a capital offense, was a serious matter. -I swerved my horse and started away. -But I had not gone ten paces before a -heavy hand seized my horse’s bridle -and a stern voice bade me stand in the -King’s name. Lights appeared on the -instant and I saw that I was surrounded. -I cast one glance backward at the -Countess and Éspiau. They, too, had -been arrested. It was a trap! The -whole party had been caught. Back -of the men who had stopped us I -noticed a single horseman.</p> - -<p>“Have you got him?” he said as he -drew near.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Monsieur le Duc.”</p> - -<p>I recognized his voice. It was -Mademoiselle’s grandfather!</p> - -<p>“Take him to my house,” said the -old man shortly.</p> - -<p>The next moment du Trémigon -spurred through the throng. It was he -who with the remainder of the King’s -guard had apprehended Mademoiselle -and Éspiau. He shot one venomous -glance at me, in which triumph was -mingled with hate, and approached -the Duke, whispering a few words. I -saw the old man start violently; a -look of anger and dismay crossed his -face—the Marquis spoke earnestly for -a moment or two. The Duke nodded—unwillingly, -I thought. The next<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_292"></a>[Pg 292]</span> -moment he left us and rode forward -with du Trémigon to the side of his -granddaughter. I stared after them -in despair.</p> - -<p>“Where am I to be taken?” I asked -one of the officers commanding the -escort that had seized me.</p> - -<p>“Back to prison.”</p> - -<p>“And not to the Duke’s house?”</p> - -<p>“An oubliette will doubtless be -safer and more comfortable quarters -for Monsieur,” said the captain politely, -giving the order to march.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Fortune had been both kind and unkind -to me once more. On the whole -I judged, as I lay in the darkness of -the damp, wretched dungeon from -which no escape seemed possible, that -the balance was on the side of kindness. -I had had a breath of fresh air. -I had further evidence that the woman -I loved loved me. I had come near -to freedom with her. And I had the talisman -which Bucknall had shrewdly used -to gain access to her. I could feel it in -the darkness, for I had unwrapped it. -It was the slipper—my lady’s slipper -that had caused all the trouble! As -I pressed it passionately to my lips I -felt the crackle of paper inside. A -letter! What would I have given for a -light by which to read it!</p> - -<p>Ah, yes, things looked black to me, -but I blessed fortune nevertheless—on -my own account, that is. I was -filled with anxiety as to what would -happen to the Countess between her -grandfather and du Trémigon. There -was one other matter, which gave me -grave concern. When du Trémigon -rode up to the Duke he had been -followed by a servant on horseback, -a particularly vicious-looking man -with one eye. The light was not clear -and I was not able to see distinctly. -Yet I recognized him. Where I had -met him, under what circumstances, I -could not at first decide, but in the -darkness of that dungeon all came -back to me. He was the man whose -wrist I had broken with my cudgel, -when Mademoiselle had been attacked. -He was evidently the leader of that -assault upon her. She had spoken of -the Queen’s despatch. Could it be -that du Trémigon had instigated the -attack? It must have been the case. -I decided that the fact itself was of -great importance, and that possibly I -might use it in case of necessity.</p> - -<h3>VI<br /> -THE SLIPPER GOES TO COURT</h3> - -<p>I got through the night somehow. -The next morning—I knew it was -morning, because some faint light had -filtered through a slit near the roof, -the most eventful day in my life, which -had not been without its surprising -incidents—was ushered in by a visit -from the commandant of the prison. -Why he honored me with his personal -attention was not obvious, though I -learned later that it was on account -of an order of the Queen. Curtly -enough he bade me follow him, which -I did, nothing loth. Anything was -better than the cursed oubliette.</p> - -<p>I fancy that I must have presented -rather a sorry figure, for he was good -enough to show me into a small room -where there were some toilet conveniences, -and I made myself as presentable -as possible. Fortunately, my -clothes—I had resumed my own, when -I returned to du Trémigon—were of -good material and a perfect fit, and I -was rather proud of my figure, too. -While there I read the note in the -slipper. It was small, like the container, -but very sweet to me:</p> - -<p class="blockquot">Monsieur, [it said], to see you again I -come with Éspiau tonight. I bid you an -eternal farewell and write what I dare not -speak—I love you!</p> - -<p>An eternal farewell, eh? I would -have something to say about that, I -was resolved.</p> - -<p>My hat and cloak—that Mademoiselle -had provided me with the night -before—were fetched, and after a good -breakfast, which seemed to have been -brought from his own table, he conducted -me to a closed carriage and I -was driven a long distance through the -country, arriving at last at a place<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_293"></a>[Pg 293]</span> -that I afterward found to be Versailles.</p> - -<p>I tried several times to converse -with my guards, but neither would -talk to me. I resigned myself to -whatever was coming, therefore, and -busied myself with thoughts of Mademoiselle. -I had been to Versailles -seeking Dr. Franklin, but had never -seen the royal palace. Consequently -I did not recognize it when the carriage -stopped and I was led forth. -I supposed that it might be one of the -residences of the great Duc de Rivau-Huet.</p> - -<p>Before I had time to speculate, however, -I was blindfolded and led through -numberless corridors, up and down -flights of stairs, in rooms and out -in bewildering succession. I made no -resistance. It would have been useless, -and the officers who brought me -thither informed me that no harm was -intended. Finally we stopped, hands -fumbled at the bandage, and I opened -my eyes to find myself in a magnificent -apartment—an antechamber of -some sort, evidently. It was void of -people, save ourselves and a sentry in -the uniform of the Swiss Guards at -the door at the farther end.</p> - -<p>Running my hand through my hair -with the natural instinct of a young -man, and shaking myself as if to free -my person by the motion, at a gesture -from my guide I stepped boldly to -the door. The Swiss presented arms, -the official tapped on the door and -stepped back, a voice I recognized bade -me enter, and in another moment I -was in the presence of Mademoiselle. -She was standing near the door. I -took one step toward her and fell on -my knees, when a scandalized voice -exclaimed in my ear:</p> - -<p>“Monsieur, do you not see the -Queen?”</p> - -<p>“I do,” I answered, without taking -my eyes off Mademoiselle, “and I kneel -to her with all the homage of my -heart.”</p> - -<p>Mademoiselle blushed vividly and -stepped aside.</p> - -<p>“She means the Queen of France, -Monsieur,” she said softly.</p> - -<p>As I knelt there, my eyes fell upon -a young woman—she was only twenty-four—seated -farther off at the opposite -side of the room, a beautiful -woman with a fresh, sweet, innocent -face, with nothing especially regal -about her, that I could see. I knew -in a moment that this was Marie Antoinette. -Such was my astonishment, -however, that I remained kneeling, -my mouth open, in great surprise. -Her Majesty was pleased to laugh. -She laughed as merrily as a girl.</p> - -<p>“Make your homage to the Queen -of France, Monsieur,” exclaimed the -elderly woman who had spoken to me -first, evidently one of the great ladies -of the Court.</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty,” I replied, finding -my wits at last, “I knelt as every -gentleman should, to the queen of his -heart, and when she stepped aside and -revealed to me the queen of all hearts, -I was unable to rise.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps, Monsieur, you have sufficiently -recovered now to approach -more nearly the throne,” she said, -pleased at my compliment.</p> - -<p>She extended her hand to me. I -got to my feet, knelt again before her -and kissed it. Queens are always -beautiful, but I swear I would rather -have kissed Mademoiselle’s hand at -any hour. However, I reflected that -the honor of America was in a measure -committed to me, and I think I bore -myself worthily.</p> - -<p>“Rise, Monsieur,” said the Queen -graciously; “the Comtesse de Villars”—I -suppose it is bad manners to look -at one woman when another woman -is speaking to you, especially if that -woman be of royal blood, but I could -not help turning my head at her words.</p> - -<p>There stood Mademoiselle more -beautiful than ever. Indeed, I have -observed that she always looks better -the more beautiful her background, -and Marie Antoinette might be Queen -of France, but she was only a background -to Mademoiselle that morning.</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle de Villars tells me -that you have rendered me a great -service.”</p> - -<p>“If to love Mademoiselle de Villars,”<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_294"></a>[Pg 294]</span> -I began, “with all my heart and soul, -be to render Your Majesty a service——”</p> - -<p>“Nay, nay, not that way. I fear -you would fain rob me of my fairest -maid of honor.”</p> - -<p>“It ill becomes a gentleman to contradict -a lady,” I replied quickly.</p> - -<p>Again the Queen laughed. I was -lucky evidently.</p> - -<p>“What I meant, Monsieur, was that -Mademoiselle de Villars tells me that -you saved her from assault, capture, -I know not what, on the highroad -some ten days ago.”</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty, I had that good -fortune.”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle de Villars was on -my errand. There were papers I did -not care to intrust to any save the -most intimate hand, which she was -bringing back to me.”</p> - -<p>“I perfectly understand, Your Majesty.”</p> - -<p>“I will not disguise the fact that had -these papers fallen into the possession -of an enemy——”</p> - -<p>“The Marquis du Trémigon?” I interrupted.</p> - -<p>“Du Trémigon?” cried Mademoiselle.</p> - -<p>“Why he, Monsieur?” asked the -Queen.</p> - -<p>“It was he who instigated the assault -upon Mademoiselle, I am convinced.”</p> - -<p>“How know you this?”</p> - -<p>“One of the ruffians who menaced -the lady was one-eyed. He wore a -patch over his face. I was lucky -enough to break his wrist with my -cudgel.”</p> - -<p>“A strange weapon for a gentleman,” -said Her Majesty.</p> - -<p>“It is honored above my sword, in -that it hath served Mademoiselle,” I -answered.</p> - -<p>“You have a French twist to your -tongue,” said the Queen. “Proceed.”</p> - -<p>“I recognized the man in the Marquis -du Trémigon’s following last -night, Your Majesty.”</p> - -<p>“I know whom he means, Madame; -I saw him, too,” said Mademoiselle. -“I heard Monsieur du Trémigon call -him Babin. Strange to say, I did not -recognize him before.”</p> - -<p>“That agrees perfectly with my -recollection, Madame. I remember -that the man who ran away that day -on the road called him by that -name.”</p> - -<p>“And you think the Marquis du -Trémigon wanted these papers?” continued -the Queen.</p> - -<p>“I am sure of it, Madame.”</p> - -<p>“But why?”</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty knows that he is a -suitor for the hand of Mademoiselle de -Villars. He hoped doubtless that if -he could get the papers he might—” I -hesitated. It was an ugly word to -say, yet the Marquis du Trémigon had -shown himself to me in his true colors, -and I knew there was no knavery he -would stop at. “He hoped to influence -you, and, through you, Mademoiselle. -By the terms of her father’s will she -must consent willingly to the marriage, -else the contract is void.”</p> - -<p>“You seem to know a great deal -about the affairs of Mademoiselle, -Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“I intend, with your permission, -Madame, to know everything about -them in the future.”</p> - -<p>The Queen smiled.</p> - -<p>“He is droll, this cavalier. He -speaks like a Frenchman, and wooes -like an American.”</p> - -<p>“Have I your permission, Madame?” -asked Mademoiselle.</p> - -<p>“Certainly, my dear.”</p> - -<p>“It was the Marquis du Trémigon -who betrayed us last night,” she said, -turning to me.</p> - -<p>“Another score to be settled between -us,” I said under my breath.</p> - -<p>“He has a creature in his pay in -my grandfather’s house, and through -him he learned my plan. He laid a -very clever trap. Although he could -have stopped me at any time, he -allowed us to go on, that we might -be caught in the act. Now he hopes -to win my grandfather’s consent to -this marriage, and perhaps by that -means force it upon me.”</p> - -<p>“You shall never marry him,” I -said, utterly oblivious of everything,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_295"></a>[Pg 295]</span> -everybody, except Mademoiselle and -that fact.</p> - -<p>“And why not, pray, Monsieur?” -asked the Queen.</p> - -<p>“Because, Your Majesty, I shall -marry her myself.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed!”</p> - -<p>“The word of a gentleman, Madame,” -I said.</p> - -<p>“But are you a gentleman?” asked -Marie Antoinette. There was an accent -of raillery in her voice that robbed -the question of its sting. “One day -you masquerade as a sailor. The next -day you enter Mademoiselle’s apartments”—she -knew all, then!—“as a -thief. Today you stand before me as -a criminal.”</p> - -<p>“I plead guilty to every charge, -Madame. I am a sailor, I am a thief. -Last night I would have stolen——”</p> - -<p>“What, Monsieur?”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle.”</p> - -<p>“From her grandfather?”</p> - -<p>“From the throne itself, Your Majesty,” -I replied fervently.</p> - -<p>Again the Queen smiled.</p> - -<p>“Enough, Monsieur,” she said, rising; -“I have exerted myself in your -favor. I had an order from the King -to bring you here. I have requested -the Duc de Rivau-Huet to consign -Mademoiselle to my care. I wished to -thank you for the service you have -done me—to ask you to wear this in -memory of my gratitude.”</p> - -<p>She drew a rarely beautiful diamond -ring from her finger and extended -it to me. I kissed the hand and -slipped the ring upon my little finger.</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty overwhelms me,” I -said.</p> - -<p>“The reward scarcely equals your -merit, Monsieur, and it does not even -approach your assurance.”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle would make a craven -bold, Madame.”</p> - -<p>“Doubtless,” said the Queen. “And -now we have the honor to wish you a -safe return to America.”</p> - -<p>I looked at Mademoiselle. She had -turned deathly pale. Her eyes were -filled with tears. Before my glance -she lowered her head. My resolution -was taken at once.</p> - -<p>“But, Your Majesty, I am not going -back to America.”</p> - -<p>“How, Monsieur! You contradict -the Queen?”</p> - -<p>“At least, I am not going back -alone,” I added respectfully.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur, believe me,” the Queen -rejoined earnestly, “it is impossible. -The Duc de Rivau-Huet would never -consent. He is one of the great nobles -of France. You——”</p> - -<p>“I am a criminal, Madame, and respect -no conventions save those dictated -by my own heart.”</p> - -<p>I could swear that Mademoiselle gave -me one grateful glance.</p> - -<p>“Is that the custom of America?” -asked the Queen.</p> - -<p>“Of the world, Madame. When -one loves as I, there is but one custom.”</p> - -<p>“That is?”</p> - -<p>“To give oneself to one’s mistress -and to take her for his own.”</p> - -<p>The situation was becoming impossible. -It was fortunately saved for -me by the entrance of an equerry.</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty”—he stopped and -bowed low—“Monsieur le Marquis du -Trémigon would like the honor of an -audience.”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur,” said the Queen, turning -to me, “you still persist in this mad -resolution?”</p> - -<p>“Madame, I am determined in it. -There is but one voice that can send -me to America—alone.”</p> - -<p>“And that voice.”</p> - -<p>“Is Mademoiselle’s.”</p> - -<p>“Speak to him, Gabrielle,” said the -Queen.</p> - -<p>Mademoiselle turned and looked at -me. Her lips formed a word; she drew -her breath sharply in, but no sound -came.</p> - -<p>“With reverence to Your Majesty, -that word Mademoiselle cannot say.”</p> - -<p>“Why not, Monsieur?”</p> - -<p>“Because she loves me,” I answered -confidently.</p> - -<p>The Queen looked from one to the -other of us. I only looked at Mademoiselle. -She could not sustain the -concentrated force of two such stares as -ours. She hid her face in her hands.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_296"></a>[Pg 296]</span></p> - -<p>“<i>Ma foi</i>,” said Marie Antoinette, -with one of those quick changes of -mood which made her so fascinating, -“it is even so. Before two such -lovers, I may be pardoned if I forget -that I am a queen and remember only -that I am a woman.”</p> - -<p>“May God bless Your Majesty for -that!” I cried enthusiastically. “Does -it mean——?”</p> - -<p>“That I am on your side, Monsieur? -Satisfy me of what has been told me -of yourself this morning and we shall -see.”</p> - -<p>The look that she gave me spoke -volumes. I was speechless with happiness. -To satisfy her, everyone, of -my position would be easy. If only -I could get word to Dr. Franklin. -He had been a friend of my father in -the colonies. He knew many people -I knew, and if that mad little Scotsman -were here he would be on my -side. The Queen gave me no time for -reply, for she turned to the equerry -and said:</p> - -<p>“I will see Monsieur du Trémigon. -But wait one moment. Before he is -admitted, I wish you to go into that -room, Monsieur Burnham. Leave the -door open and stand behind the -arras. You”—she turned to the elderly -lady, who had discreetly withdrawn -to the embrasure, and had been -carefully studying the landscape during -the interview between the Queen, -Mademoiselle and myself—“Madame, -will you ask the Duc de Rivau-Huet -to come into the small room where -Monsieur Burnham goes and wait there -until I call him forth? Tell him I beg -him on no account to give note of his -presence until he is summoned. Now”—she -turned to the equerry—“bring -hither the Marquis du Trémigon.”</p> - -<p>I bowed low to Her Majesty and -lower to Mademoiselle, and entered -the apartment the Queen had indicated. -The Duc de Rivau-Huet had -evidently been waiting, for a moment -later he entered under the guidance -of the messenger and stood by my side. -He did not know me, of course, but -we bowed to each other profoundly -and then waited quietly.</p> - -<p>A moment later we heard the Queen -speaking.</p> - -<p>“Monsigneur du Trémigon,” she began, -“you wish to see me?”</p> - -<p>“Madame, it is the constant wish of -every gentleman in France.”</p> - -<p>“Prettily said, Monsieur, and, as it -happens, I also wish to see you.”</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty honors me.”</p> - -<p>“You come at an opportune time, -therefore.”</p> - -<p>“Any time that I can be of service -to Your Majesty is opportune,” he -answered—the clever villain had a -glib tongue, as he had a fine taste in -clothes, I could but admit. “I wish -that Your Majesty,” he continued, -“could give me back my remark.”</p> - -<p>“And what was that, Monsieur?”</p> - -<p>“That every woman in France might -wish to see me.”</p> - -<p>“That would be an embarrassment -of riches.”</p> - -<p>“I should be satisfied if the one -nearest Your Majesty cherished that -desire.”</p> - -<p>He shot one glance at the Countess. -I could see them by moving the hangings -slightly, and I didn’t scruple to -look. The old Duke stood like a stone, -wondering why he had been brought -here, and as yet unable to comprehend -the situation.</p> - -<p>“You said that you wished to see -me, Monsieur?” asked the Queen, disregarding -his last remark.</p> - -<p>“My desire gives place to Your -Majesty’s.”</p> - -<p>“And my will claims precedence of -yours, Monsieur. Proffer your petition.”</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty, I love devotedly -the Comtesse de Villars. We were -betrothed in childhood. The time for -the carrying out of the contract our -fathers made has arrived. I crave -Your Majesty’s influence to persuade -Mademoiselle de Villars to honor me.”</p> - -<p>There was a certain amount of truth -in the rascal’s words. I wondered if -he really loved her a little bit, or -whether it was only to get her money.</p> - -<p>“But Mademoiselle de Villars doesn’t -love you, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“With Your Majesty’s aid I trust<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_297"></a>[Pg 297]</span> -I shall be able to teach her to do -so.”</p> - -<p>“I fear that task is beyond you or -me, Monsieur du Trémigon.”</p> - -<p>“Permit me in Your Majesty’s own -interest to dispute that assertion.”</p> - -<p>“How now, Gabrielle?” said the -Queen, turning to Mademoiselle.</p> - -<p>“I hate him!” she cried. I could -see du Trémigon wince.</p> - -<p>“You hear, Monsieur?”</p> - -<p>“I hear, Madame, but”—he tore -off the disguise now and spoke with -savage firmness—“Mademoiselle must -marry me.”</p> - -<p>“Must, sir! These are strange words -to use to your queen.”</p> - -<p>“I speak to a woman now,” answered -the Marquis.</p> - -<p>“Explain yourself.”</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle is seriously compromised.”</p> - -<p>I could see the Countess start and -clench her hands. The Queen motioned -her to remain silent.</p> - -<p>“How is that, Monsieur?” she asked -quietly.</p> - -<p>“She received me alone in her -apartments the night before last.”</p> - -<p>“You coward!” cried Mademoiselle.</p> - -<p>“Patience, Gabrielle,” said Marie -Antoinette quickly. “You have proofs -of that assertion, sir?”</p> - -<p>From where I stood with a backward -glance I could see the old Duke. -He had his hand on his sword, his -face was as white as death. He was -perfectly rigid. He had been told to -remain where he was, however, until -he was summoned, and he would not -move.</p> - -<p>“You have witnesses?” continued -the Queen.</p> - -<p>“I have. I was seen to go through -the gate at eleven o’clock. I climbed -to Mademoiselle’s window by the ivy. -I remained in her apartment one -hour. It was this suit that I now -wear in which I presented myself to -Mademoiselle.” He turned swiftly to -the Countess. “Does not Mademoiselle -recognize it?” he said, with a triumphant -leer.</p> - -<p>She shuddered away from him. -And indeed it was the one I had worn!</p> - -<p>“You do recognize it, Gabrielle?” -asked the Queen. Mademoiselle said -nothing, but it was quite evident that -she did.</p> - -<p>“Your story,” said the Queen composedly, -turning to the Marquis, “is -most interesting, Monsieur, if it could -be believed.”</p> - -<p>“Out of consideration to one of -your maids of honor”—I could have -killed him at the hateful emphasis he -laid on that last word—“I hope I may -be spared the pain of public testimony.”</p> - -<p>“You give me your word of honor -that three nights ago you were in -Mademoiselle’s apartments?”</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p>“Your word of honor as a gentleman?”</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty has said it.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, this is infamous—infamous!” -cried Mademoiselle.</p> - -<p>“And you, Countess, what do you -say?” continued the Queen.</p> - -<p>“It is a falsehood, a dastardly falsehood!”</p> - -<p>A look of relief swept over the old -Duke’s face then. His apprehension -gave place to a growing anger. I -could realize how hard it was for him -to remain quiet beyond that curtain. -As for me I would have given everything -on earth to go out and kill du -Trémigon.</p> - -<p>“You do not wish to marry this -man—pardon, this gentleman—Gabrielle?” -asked Marie Antoinette.</p> - -<p>“I would rather kill myself!”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur du Trémigon,” said the -Queen, “have mercy!”</p> - -<p>“Madame, love has no mercy. I -am passionately devoted to Mademoiselle.”</p> - -<p>“And is that why,” asked Marie -Antoinette, with a swift change of -manner, “that you set your man, -Babin, and two other ruffians to -attack Mademoiselle on the road to -Paris ten days ago?”</p> - -<p>She drove her queries home with the -directness of sword-thrusts. The Marquis -gasped, fell back, utterly dismayed. -He moistened his lips and -strove to speak.</p> - -<p>“I—I—I do not know what Your<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_298"></a>[Pg 298]</span> -Majesty means—” he faltered. “I had -a servant called Babin in my employ, -but I have discharged him.”</p> - -<p>“You did not know,” said the Queen -pitilessly, “that Mademoiselle was -carrying papers of infinite concern to -me? Relying on your sense of honor”—she -smiled mockingly—“I tell you -the truth. They were letters that I -had written years ago—silly, foolish -letters, which yet might have -given me trouble. Mademoiselle volunteered -to get them and bring them to -me. And you, Monsieur du Trémigon, -having learned this in some way—oh, -I have fathomed the whole procedure,” -she went on, rising and confronting -him. “You thought to get me in your -power and force a consent from Mademoiselle -through her love for me!”</p> - -<p>“Madame, I am innocent. I know -no more about this than you have -told me. Babin has not been in my -service for months. I know nothing -about the letters.”</p> - -<p>“Do you swear it?”</p> - -<p>“I swear it!”</p> - -<p>The Queen struck a bell on the table -at my side. The equerry presented -himself.</p> - -<p>“Is Monsieur Éspiau there?” she -asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Your Majesty.”</p> - -<p>“Admit him.”</p> - -<p>In another moment the old servant -of the Duke entered and fell on his -knees before the Queen.</p> - -<p>“Rise, my friend,” she said, with -that gentle grace, that benignity, that -ought to have endeared her to the -whole of France, high and low, rich -and poor; “were you at the Hôtel -de Rivau-Huet on last Wednesday -night?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Your Majesty.”</p> - -<p>“Were you in the apartments of the -Comtesse de Villars?”</p> - -<p>“I was, Your Majesty.”</p> - -<p>“Between the hours of eleven and -twelve?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Your Majesty.”</p> - -<p>“Was the Marquis du Trémigon -there?”</p> - -<p>“No, Your Majesty.”</p> - -<p>“And you would believe a servant’s -word before mine?” said du Trémigon -furiously.</p> - -<p>“We shall see. Call Monsieur -Burnham,” she said to the attendant.</p> - -<p>I did not wait to be called. I was -through the door in an instant. Du -Trémigon started with additional surprise -when he saw me.</p> - -<p>“What do you know of this charge -of the Marquis du Trémigon?” asked -the Queen after I had saluted her.</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty, I know that the -Marquis du Trémigon was in his hôtel -between the hours of eight in the -evening and one in the morning. By -no possibility could he have been in -the apartment of Mademoiselle de -Villars. Furthermore, the man Babin -was in his employ yesterday.”</p> - -<p>“You hound!” cried du Trémigon, -and then I stepped close to him. He -shrank back. I stepped nearer. The -Queen might have interfered, but I -rather think she enjoyed it.</p> - -<p>“You know,” I said, frowning at -him, “that you were not in the apartments -of the Comtesse de Villars on -that evening or any other evening.” -He opened his mouth as if to speak. -“Not a word or I’ll kill you where you -stand!”</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty,” he cried, dexterously -avoiding me, “will you condemn -me on the words of a lackey and -a criminal?”</p> - -<p>I started toward him again, but the -Queen raised her hand. She looked -at the equerry again, an old and -trusted attendant, upon whom she -could rely.</p> - -<p>“The Duc de Rivau-Huet”—she -pointed to the door—“bring him -here.”</p> - -<p>The Duke was almost as quick as -I. The curtain was torn aside and he -came in erect, with his hand on his -sword.</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty.” He bowed low -before her, a graceful and gallant old -gentleman.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur le Duc,” said the Queen, -extending her hand to be kissed, -“you are ever welcome. As the head -of the house to which the Marquis du -Trémigon belongs. I wish you to hear<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_299"></a>[Pg 299]</span> -his charges and his denials, that you -may judge him accordingly.”</p> - -<p>“I have heard, Your Majesty,” said -the Duke, “and give me leave to say I -need neither the evidence of Éspiau -nor of this gentleman—whoever he -may be—to convince me that the -Marquis du Trémigon has lied.”</p> - -<p>“And I tell you,” burst out the -Marquis, “that this man is a common -thief, a highway robber and—” He -pointed to me.</p> - -<p>“Have a care, Monsieur,” said Marie -Antoinette quickly; “highway robbery -is a grave accusation. Was it on -the road to Paris that he committed -this highway robbery? This is a -most serious indictment. Look again. -Think! Do you press the charge? -Do you really mean it?”</p> - -<h3>VII<br /> -THE SLIPPER FINDS ITS WEARER</h3> - -<p>“His Majesty the King!” cried an -usher at the great door, throwing it -open. “His Excellency, the Minister -of the United States, Dr. Franklin, -Commodore John Paul Jones, Monsieur -Bucknall, sailor,” he added.</p> - -<p>Into the room came the King of -France, a stout, heavy-set, rather -stupid-looking young man. Following -him I saw the familiar figure—I had -seen many portraits of him in public -print—of Dr. Benjamin Franklin. By -his side—and it was a good sight -for any eyes—walked the handsome -little daredevil of a Scotsman in his -naval uniform, looking as cocky as if -he had been strutting on his own -quarter-deck. And then—did my eyes -deceive me?—came the rolling form -of worthy Master Bucknall. I blessed -that man in my heart. He had -brought Mademoiselle to my assistance -in the prison and now he had completed -his work by looking up Dr. -Franklin and the rest. Where he had -found the Commodore I did not know.</p> - -<p>I had heard he had recently arrived -at L’Orient, but not that he -had come to Paris.</p> - -<p>“Madame,” said the King, approaching -the Queen who courtesied deeply -before him, “I wish you good morning. -Ah, Duke, I am always glad to see you. -Mademoiselle de Villars, you are fit to -stand before Her Majesty, and I could -pay you no higher compliment.”</p> - -<p>I was amazed to hear this fat, commonplace, -prosy-looking man speak so -pleasantly, but in sooth Mademoiselle, -with her cheeks flushed, a little sparkle -of tears in her eyes, her head thrown -back—well, any man of taste would -have recognized which was Queen of -Love and Beauty in that room. The -King bowed shortly and coldly to du -Trémigon and looked with some interest -at me.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur,” said the Queen to her -husband, “will you allow me to present -to you Monsieur Burnham, an American -naval officer?”</p> - -<p>I bowed low before the King. France -was our ally and we hoped much from -her, and although we in America had -cut kings and queens out of our books, -I felt it necessary for me to be politic.</p> - -<p>“Dr. Franklin, you are always welcome,” -continued the Queen, “even -though you do come garbed in sober -gray to our gay Court.”</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty,” returned the old -Quaker gallantly, “I wear gray that it -may contrast the better with the -high color of my admiration for the -Queen of France.”</p> - -<p>“And this is our old friend, the -Commodore. We are glad to have -you back at Versailles after your -splendid fighting, Monsieur,” said the -Queen, dimpling with pleasure at Dr. -Franklin’s compliment and giving her -hand to Paul Jones, who had waited -with ill-concealed impatience for this -recognition of his rank and station.</p> - -<p>“To see you again, Your Majesty,” -began the doughty little Captain, with -a shade too much fervor, I thought, -“is better fortune than to capture a -ship like the <i>Serapis</i>.”</p> - -<p>“You must tell me about that action, -Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“I shall be pleased to attend upon -Your Majesty at any time for that or -any other purpose,” he replied. “And<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_300"></a>[Pg 300]</span> -if it were necessary to secure entrance -to your levee, <i>I</i> would cheerfully engage -to capture another British frigate.”</p> - -<p>The Queen laughed kindly at the -little Captain, and then she stared toward -Bucknall, who stood shifting -from one foot to another, twisting his -hat in his hand. She was a good-hearted -woman and would fain neglect -no one—not even the humblest.</p> - -<p>“And who is this?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“Madame, give me leave,” I interposed. -“He is a sailor to whom I owe -life, liberty and—love!”</p> - -<p>“Looks he not like a cupid’s messenger?” -queried Her Majesty, smiling, -and then the King broke in.</p> - -<p>“Have you sent for the prisoner, -Madame?”</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty, he is here?”</p> - -<p>“What, this gentleman?”</p> - -<p>The Queen bowed.</p> - -<p>“What have you to say for yourself, -sir?” the King asked me.</p> - -<p>“Much, Your Majesty. I am an -American naval officer, as Commodore -Paul Jones can bear witness.”</p> - -<p>“’Tis true, Your Majesty. He sailed -with me on the <i>Alfred</i>, and a better -officer I did not have, and I say it who -have a right to testify.”</p> - -<p>“Good,” said the King. “Proceed, -Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“I was captured with Captain Cunningham -in the <i>Revenge</i>.”</p> - -<p>“Give me a fleet, Your Majesty,” -interrupted Commodore Jones, “and -we’ll stop all that.”</p> - -<p>The King smiled and nodded to -me.</p> - -<p>“I escaped from a British prison-ship, -robbed a gentleman in England, -got money from him, came to France -hoping to find Dr. Franklin or Commodore -Jones. Neither was in Paris. -I lost my money, fell into the hands -of an enemy, and was lodged in jail, -whence I have been this morning -brought here by Her Majesty’s gracious -interference.”</p> - -<p>“How did you lose your money?” -asked the King, quite as a father might -have spoken to his son. There was -something pleasant about the plain, -homely man. I hesitated not a moment.</p> - -<p>“I am sorry to say, Sire, that I -gambled it away.”</p> - -<p>The King shook his head.</p> - -<p>“I can make good your loss,” he -said; “but play is the curse of the -young nobles of my Court, and of all -strangers who come to Paris, as well.”</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty is most kind. When -I can hear from America I shall be -able to discharge all my obligations, -and I wish to say to Your Majesty and -before you all”—all meant Mademoiselle—“that -I shall eschew play in the -future.”</p> - -<p>“There were charges against you of -highway robbery, I believe?”</p> - -<p>“On information laid by me, Your -Majesty,” broke in du Trémigon.</p> - -<p>“But Monsieur du Trémigon withdraws -the charges now. Highway -robbery! It hath an ugly sound,” -said the Queen. “How is that, Monsieur -du Trémigon?”</p> - -<p>I never saw such a look of baffled -rage and hatred as that on du Trémigon’s -face. He was completely -powerless. The evidence against him -was too strong. He tried to speak, -but there was no help for it. He -bowed at last.</p> - -<p>“I am too much of a gentleman”—I -have always been suspicious of a -man who protests his quality overmuch, -by the way—“to contradict the -Queen of France.”</p> - -<p>“Good,” said the King. “But there -were some papers?”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur du Trémigon lost them, -unfortunately,” again interposed the -Queen.</p> - -<p>“Very careless, I’m sure,” commented -the King severely.</p> - -<p>“I,” volunteered Dr. Franklin, “will -be surety for Monsieur Burnham’s -debts to the Marquis du Trémigon.”</p> - -<p>“The word of a gentleman so -vouched for is sufficient,” said the -Marquis, raging in his heart, but helpless.</p> - -<p>“I’d rather pay him the money, -doctor, and owe it to you,” I said -softly to Dr. Franklin.</p> - -<p>“Is it a great sum, lad?” whispered<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_301"></a>[Pg 301]</span> -the Quaker aside. “Our exchequer is -running low. And, hark ye, that -highway robbery in England. ’Tis -hardly a crime of which you could be -convicted in France.”</p> - -<p>Now, why had neither I nor anyone -else thought of that!</p> - -<p>“We will attend to the debt,” said -the King, after a momentary consultation -with the Queen. “Now, gentlemen, -no more of this.”</p> - -<p>Of course when he put on his royal -look and said that, there was nothing -more for me to do.</p> - -<p>“Pardon, Your Majesty,” said the -Duc de Rivau-Huet, who had noted -all that had occurred with ill-concealed -impatience. “Monsieur du -Trémigon has another announcement -to make.”</p> - -<p>“What is that, Duke?” asked the -King.</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty is doubtless aware -that my son and the father of the -Marquis du Trémigon entered into a -contract that their children should be -married at a suitable age, provided -they were both willing to carry out the -agreement?”</p> - -<p>“I have heard so,” answered the -King.</p> - -<p>“The Marquis du Trémigon wishes, -in the presence of these witnesses, to -renounce all pretension to the hand of -Mademoiselle de Villars.”</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty,” protested the Marquis -in one last desperate attempt to -gain his end, “Monsieur le Duc -mis——”</p> - -<p>“I believe I am not mistaken, Monsieur,” -said the Duke, very stately and -magnificent, with his hand on his -sword—my heart went out to him—looking -hard at the Marquis.</p> - -<p>“I am sure,” added the Queen in her -silvery voice—and you would have -thought she were conferring the greatest -favor in her power upon the -wretched du Trémigon—“that the -Duke is right. Monsieur du Trémigon,” -she went on, with a woman’s -spitefulness—but indeed I could not -blame her, “is no more desirous of -marrying Mademoiselle de Villars than -he is of pressing the charge of highway -robbery against Monsieur Burnham.”</p> - -<p>Du Trémigon could not trust himself -to speak again. He clenched his -hands and bowed low before the Queen.</p> - -<p>“Furthermore,” continued the Duke -imperturbably, “Monsieur du Trémigon -wishes Your Majesty’s permission -to withdraw from Paris and retire -to his estates.”</p> - -<p>“As the Marquis pleases,” said the -King indifferently.</p> - -<p>Had I been King I should have been -consumed with curiosity to know what -this was all about, but His Majesty -cared little about it, apparently, for -after turning his back on du Trémigon, -who backed out of the room, -he said to Dr. Franklin:</p> - -<p>“Now that we have settled this affair, -doctor, I want you to look at a -lock in my cabinet that interests me -greatly. Gamain brought it today. -Its mechanism is curious and complex. -It will interest a scientific man -like yourself, I am sure.”</p> - -<p>“I shall be glad to attend Your -Majesty.”</p> - -<p>“Give me leave, Sire,” again said -the Duc de Rivau-Huet. “Your Majesty,” -continued the old man, standing -very erect, “the Marquis du Trémigon -averred that he was in my -granddaughter’s apartments until a -late hour the other night.”</p> - -<p>“It is false,” said the Queen.</p> - -<p>“Madame, I know that. What I -wish to know is, who was there?”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur! Before them all!” exclaimed -Mademoiselle, startled beyond -measure by this surprising development. -This unlucky speech in -itself was a confession.</p> - -<p>“The King is the fountain of nobility -in the land,” continued the Duke, -striving to regain his composure. -“You are a maid of honor to the -Queen, Mademoiselle. That gentleman”—he -pointed to me—“heard the -accusation and denied it. These are -his friends. Here is some mystery. I -wish an explanation.”</p> - -<p>“But, Duke—” began the King, -with a puzzled look.</p> - -<p>“I crave Your Majesty’s pardon.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_302"></a>[Pg 302]</span> -Even royalty may give place to the -feelings of a grandsire. Will you -allow me to conduct this affair in my -own way?”</p> - -<p>“Go on,” said the King.</p> - -<p>“I am satisfied that the Marquis du -Trémigon, whom I shall see later, with -the King’s permission——”</p> - -<p>“I will give you a <i>lettre de cachet</i> to -the Bastile for him, if you like.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, Sire. Monsieur du -Trémigon was not there, but I insist -someone was, and I demand to know -who.”</p> - -<p>No one spoke for a moment.</p> - -<p>“Éspiau, you know?”</p> - -<p>“I have nothing to say, Monsieur le -Duc,” replied the old servant, turning -pale.</p> - -<p>“Will no one tell me?” cried the old -man, grief in his heart, appeal in his -tones, shame in his bearing.</p> - -<p>“I will,” I said boldly; “I was -there.”</p> - -<p>“You, sir!”</p> - -<p>“Even I, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“How dared you? What do you -mean?” He put his hand to his -heart. I was nearest him. I stretched -out my arm to help him, but he thrust -me away. “Answer!” he cried, imperiously -forgetful of the King, the -Queen, everybody.</p> - -<p>“It is very simple,” I replied quietly. -“On my approach to Paris I had the -good fortune to be of assistance to -Mademoiselle.”</p> - -<p>“In what capacity?”</p> - -<p>“She was set upon by three ruffians. -I drove them off.”</p> - -<p>“Whereabouts?”</p> - -<p>I was ignorant of the road, but -Mademoiselle came to my rescue.</p> - -<p>“Near Paris, on the Versailles road, -Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“Where was your escort?” queried -the Duke.</p> - -<p>“I was alone.”</p> - -<p>“Alone on the Versailles road?”</p> - -<p>“In my service, Duke,” said the -Queen softly.</p> - -<p>“Pardon, Your Majesty. That is -sufficient. Proceed, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“I fell in love with your granddaughter.”</p> - -<p>“How dared you, sir; a beggarly——?”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur Burnham’s patrimony -includes rich land enough to make a -county in France,” deftly put in Dr. -Franklin at this juncture.</p> - -<p>“But in America—” said the Duke -scornfully.</p> - -<p>“The finest land the sun ever set on, -Monsieur,” broke in Commodore Jones -hotly.</p> - -<p>The King waved his hand for silence, -and the Duke turned to me again.</p> - -<p>“I sought your granddaughter far -and wide, and at last found her at the -Hôtel de Rivau-Huet.”</p> - -<p>I had a hard task to keep to the -truth and yet make a satisfactory -story.</p> - -<p>“And was it at her invitation you -entered her apartment?”</p> - -<p>“Monsieur le Duc!” exclaimed the -King hastily, in warning.</p> - -<p>“Grandfather!” cried the girl, recoiling -from the outrageous accusation.</p> - -<p>“Sir!” I replied, with spirit, “the -question is an insult to your blood! -I came unexpectedly, unknown, unwelcome—like -a thief in the night.”</p> - -<p>“You dared——?”</p> - -<p>“It was a prank, a foolish trick; I -have no excuse but my passion.”</p> - -<p>“And you were alone with my -granddaughter?”</p> - -<p>“I was there, Monsieur le Duc,” -said Éspiau.</p> - -<p>“Then tell me the truth now, unless -you forget your ancient fidelity,” exclaimed -the Duke, turning to the unhappy -servant. “You saw this gentleman -there?”</p> - -<p>I shook my head at him, but he was -looking at Mademoiselle. Disregarding -my warning glance, she nodded. -The seal upon the servant’s lips was -broken.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Monsieur le Duc,” he said.</p> - -<p>“And where was he?”</p> - -<p>“In Mademoiselle’s—” he hesitated.</p> - -<p>“Speak!” thundered the old man.</p> - -<p>“Bedchamber, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“<i>Mon Dieu!</i>” cried the Duke, his -composure giving way at last. He<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_303"></a>[Pg 303]</span> -put his face in his hands with a -movement singularly like that of -Mademoiselle a short time before.</p> - -<p>Is it that Master Shakespeare in -great crises voices the universal cry of -the human heart? For like the father -of Hero in “Much Ado About Nothing”—and -indeed the whole affair was -somewhat similar in my mind—the -Duke finally broke forth:</p> - -<p>“‘Hath no man here a sword for -me?’”</p> - -<p>I have not the sentence exactly, -but I give the sense of it, and I pitied -him from the bottom of my heart. -But the love of the young is often -cruel to the old.</p> - -<p>“My grandfather! my grandfather!” -cried Mademoiselle, sinking to his feet, -“think not bitterly of me! This gentleman -has told the truth. I had but -spoken a few words to him when you -came. He did me a great service. I -concealed him.”</p> - -<p>“Why?” groaned the Duke.</p> - -<p>“I was afraid that you would kill -him.”</p> - -<p>“Afraid? What is he to you?”</p> - -<p>It was a dreadful situation for a -young girl. She had never told me in -so many words, although I was sure -of it in my own mind, and to have to -declare it before all these men was -indeed hard. Yet with a heroism for -which I can never be sufficiently grateful -she said it.</p> - -<p>“I love him!”</p> - -<p>“You love him!” exclaimed her -grandfather in amazement.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur le Duc de Rivau-Huet,” -I cried in my turn, springing to her -side, lifting her up, and slipping my -arm about her waist, “I have the -honor to ask you to give me the -hand of your granddaughter in marriage.”</p> - -<p>“She is a countess of France,” replied -the Duke. “The best blood in -the land flows in her veins, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“I have some indifferent good in -my own veins, Monsieur le Duc,” I asserted, -naming some of my mother’s -people.</p> - -<p>“Is this true, Monsieur?”</p> - -<p>“I vouch for it,” said Paul Jones.</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty,” said the Duke, -turning to the King, but he got no help -there.</p> - -<p>“If you will give your consent, -Duke,” said Louis, “I shall not withhold -mine. Indeed, under the circumstances—”He -paused significantly.</p> - -<p>The Duke groaned and the gracious -Queen came to our rescue again.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur le Duc,” she said, stepping -near him and laying her hand on -his arm, “think! Monsieur Burnham -is a gallant gentleman. As good blood -as any in France flows in his veins. -In America they have no kings, but they -are all princes. His Majesty in his -kindness consents. This will cement -the union between the two countries -against England, which is so dear to -think of. Will you sacrifice your pride -if I ask you, and bless the pair who -love each other?”</p> - -<p>“Madame, it is as you will,” he faltered. -“I had cherished other dreams. -Still, there can be no higher degree than -that of gentleman, after all. No, -though he sit upon a throne.”</p> - -<p>“The royalty of virtue, the royalty -of honor, the royalty of courage,” said -Dr. Franklin kindly, “make this marriage -not an unequal one.”</p> - -<p>“I am an old man,” continued the -Duke; “this has been hard on me. -Let the young love have its way.”</p> - -<p>“And you will forgive me?” pleaded -Mademoiselle, approaching him nearer.</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty will permit me?” -asked the Duke. He took her in his -arms and pressed a kiss upon her -forehead and blessed her.</p> - -<p>“Sir,” he said, turning to me and -bowing, “I hope to know more of you -before I commit this child to your -keeping.”</p> - -<p>“Now that all is settled for the -second time,” said the King, greatly -relieved. “Dr. Franklin, Commodore, -and you, Duke, will you come with -me?”</p> - -<p>“We attend Your Majesty.”</p> - -<p>The four gentlemen bowed low -before the Queen. The King bowed -to me, Dr. Franklin and Commodore -Jones shook my hand. Our kindly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_304"></a>[Pg 304]</span> -minister made an appointment to -meet me later in the palace.</p> - -<p>“You were lucky,” he said.</p> - -<p>Indeed I realized that, for I replied: -“Thanks to you and the Commodore.”</p> - -<p>“Nay,” said the Quaker, smiling, -“thanks to Mademoiselle herself, and -to your own ready wit.”</p> - -<p>Then they left us alone with the -Queen and Bucknall.</p> - -<p>“It strikes me,” said Her Majesty, -looking at the old sailor, “that nobody -has said anything about the -part you have played in this affair.”</p> - -<p>“Aye, aye, mum,” began the sailor -in great confusion, “w’ich I means yer -honor——”</p> - -<p>“‘Mum’ is delightful,” laughed Marie -Antoinette.</p> - -<p>“I was at me wit’s end wot course -to lay this mornin’, an’ w’en as luck -would hev it I run into Commodore -Jones in the street, jist in from -L’Orient—he never forgits a shipmate, -ma’am, no matter how humble—an’ I -ups an’ told him about Mr. Burnham. -He fetched me to Dr. Franklin, -an’ you knows the rest, Yer Ladyship.”</p> - -<p>“I shall not forget you,” said the -Queen, lifting a well-filled purse from -the table and putting it in Bucknall’s -hand. The old sailor was not without -a streak of gallantry.</p> - -<p>“It’s the hand wot gives it, lady,” -he said, “wot makes me wally it -more’n the gold pieces.”</p> - -<p>“You will await Monsieur Burnham -without the door,” she said, dismissing -him graciously.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur Burnham,” she began as -we three were alone, “you are a thief -after all. You have stolen the fairest -jewel of my Court. I ought to be -angry with you, but—I am not.”</p> - -<p>“I thank Your Majesty.”</p> - -<p>“You will be very good to this -daughter of France in your own land?”</p> - -<p>“Madame, I will cherish her as the -King his crown. Nay,” I added -quickly, “as I would cherish Your -Majesty were I the King.”</p> - -<p>“You pay me in pretty speeches.”</p> - -<p>“They come, Madame, from my -heart of hearts. After my country -and my wife, my sword is yours.”</p> - -<p>She was gone. Of course I took -Mademoiselle in my arms, and this -time there was no hesitation on her -part in returning my ardent caresses. -I do not know what we said or what -happened. After a space—how long -or how short I cannot tell, for I took -no notice of time or place—I said -that while we each had the gold pieces -I regretted that I had no ring to slip on -her finger, nothing of my own to give -her to bind the engagement. Of course -I could not give her the Queen’s diamond—yet! -She was very close to -me and doubtless could feel what was -in my breast-pocket.</p> - -<p>“You have one thing,” she replied -demurely, “that you could slip on.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?”</p> - -<p>“Have you forgotten the talisman?”</p> - -<p>“The talisman?” I cried.</p> - -<p>I am stupid sometimes, not often, -and I was thinking so hard of her that -I did not catch her meaning at first.</p> - -<p>“That which Master Bucknall -brought you—that I gave back to you.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!” said I; “the slipper saved my -life; it gave me hope.”</p> - -<p>“And hope gave you assurance?”</p> - -<p>“And assurance won me you.”</p> - -<p>She drew herself away and sat -down in the Queen’s chair, and no royal -person ever became it so well as she. -Then she fumbled at her shoe a moment, -and thrust out one dainty -stockinged little foot at me.</p> - -<p>“You might put it on,” she whispered, -blushing vividly.</p> - -<p>I am not ashamed to say that I -kissed that foot before I covered it -with my lady’s slipper.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_305"></a>[Pg 305]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="Populism" id="Populism"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Populism</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY CHARLES Q. DE FRANCE<br /> -<i>Secretary People’s Party National Committee</i></p> - -<p class="drop-cap">POPULISM is a term at which -many eminently respectable but -sadly misinformed persons shy, -like the staid old farm horse when he -first encounters an automobile on the -road to town. They regard it as -synonymous with Socialism, anarchy, -bomb-throwing, nihilism and half a -dozen other real or fancied evils. -That it is simply a short expression -for progressive, radical or Jeffersonian -Democracy has never occurred to -them.</p> - -<p>Populism is a term which well illustrates -the growth of language, the -evolution by which circumlocution is -avoided and clearness of expression -attained. Yet, at the same time, it -is an apt illustration of the power of a -subsidized press to create an erroneous -public opinion.</p> - -<p>Back in the early ’90s, when the -People’s Party was being organized in -a number of Western States, there was -considerable discussion as to whether -it should be regarded as a political -organization on the usual lines, or -whether it should be a sort of league -of independent voters, free to choose -and vote for such candidates, on any -ticket, as might seem best fitted to -represent the interests of the different -organizations of farmers and wage-workers -out of which the People’s -Party finally evolved.</p> - -<p>The Omaha National Convention in -1892 settled the question in favor of -regular party organization. It is true -that there were intended to be points -of difference between the People’s -Party machinery and that of either -old party; but these points were minor -rather than fundamental. The delegate -convention was retained—which, -to my mind, was the one mistake -made at Omaha. Until some system of -direct nominations is adopted, whereby -every elector may have a vote direct—and -not by delegate, who may misrepresent -him—I fear that as our party -grows in strength we shall more and -more be called upon to combat the -same influences which dominate both -the old parties. However, this is digression.</p> - -<p>With the advent of the People’s -Party a difficulty was found in describing -a member of that party. A -member of the Republican Party is, -of course, a Republican; and a member -of the Democratic Party is called a -Democrat—but how designate one -affiliated with the People’s Party?</p> - -<p>The omnipresent and omniscient -newspaper reporter, as usual, solved -the difficulty. His agnosticism applies -to nothing except the word -“fail.” And with him circumlocution -and criminality are almost synonymous. -It would never do to be ringing -the changes on “an adherent to -the People’s Party,” or “one affiliated -with the People’s Party”; hence, it -was not long before we began to see -the word “Populist” used in verbal -descriptions of what the cartoonist invariably -depicted as a “one-gallus” -man, armed with fork or rake, and -blessed with a hirsute adornment truly -Samsonian.</p> - -<p>Applied as a term of reproach, yet -responding to the inexorable law -which compels men to follow along -the lines of least resistance, the word<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_306"></a>[Pg 306]</span> -“Populist” came to stay. It stuck, -just as the term “Methodist” did—or -“Christian,” for that matter. From -“Populist,” descriptive of the man, to -“Populism,” designating his political -belief, was an easy step—and now, -after fifteen years of abuse, ridicule, -vituperation and gross misrepresentation, -the great middle class is just -beginning to get a clearer view and to -discover that Populism is the only logical -answer to the question, “What shall -we do to be saved from economic ruin?”</p> - -<p>Populism is neither Socialism nor -anarchism. It is neither idealistic nor -materialistic. It is neither collectivistic -nor individualistic. It is essentially -eclectic. It recognizes the good -in all the schools of political and -economic thought and attempts to -eliminate the weak or bad—but refuses -to be bound by any.</p> - -<p>Populism recognizes the fact that we -must work with the world as it is now—and -not as some Utopian dreamer -conceives it ought to be. It recognizes -the fact that private ownership -of productive property is not only the -rule all over the world—but also that -the people like it. It recognizes the -Socialists’ “economic determinism”—that -man’s economic needs usually -dominate when they clash with his -ideals—yet is not unmindful of the -fact that all progress is the result of -ideals forcing a change in the environment. -Were it not so, man -would still be an arboreal ape, chattering -aloft in some palm tree.</p> - -<p>Populism recognizes that man is a -social animal, yet combats Socialism -for subordinating the individual to -the collectivity, and combats anarchy -for subordinating the collectivity to -the individual. It is the golden mean -between these extremes.</p> - -<p>Although Populism lays no claim to -being either a “science” or a “philosophy,” -yet it has the only definite -program of any party today before the -American people. It has a yard-stick -by which all things may be measured, -whether they be burlap, fustian, -woolen, silk or some new weave of -spider-web. This yard-stick is—</p> - -<p>EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL, SPECIAL PRIVILEGES TO NONE.</p> - -<p>Every fair-minded man is willing to -have his economic cloth measured -by that yard-stick. Only avaricious -rogues object.</p> - -<p>The Republican Party is committed -to the practice of giving special privileges -to a favored few. It is essentially -a party of paternalism. The -protective tariff is paternalistic. The -railroad franchise is paternalistic, and -land grants, and bonds, and subsidies. -The national banking laws are paternalistic—and -so, too, deposits of public -revenues, and rentals on public -buildings sold but never paid for. -The net effect of all Republican legislation -is to arm the possessors of great -wealth with some sort of taxing power, -whereby they may absorb still more -wealth without rendering an equivalent. -Incidentally, it is true, some -measure of prosperity may come to the -more humble possessors of property—but -the general trend is beyond question -plutocratic.</p> - -<p>The so-called Democratic Party need -not be considered here. It has no -fixed policy for more than eight years -at a time—except to be “agin’ the -government.” It is the party of negation.</p> - -<p>The Socialist Party presents the -anomaly of a party with an elaborate -“scientific” system of societary evolution, -an excellent interpretation of history, -and forecast of the supposedly -final form which society will assume—yet -without a program or hint of the -specific manner in which industry will -be carried on under “the collective -ownership of all the means of production -and distribution, with democratic -management by the workers engaged -in each industry.” It is admitted that -we have no right to ask for prophecies—but -we have a right to see a rough -draft at least of the new building -which is to be erected after the social -revolution has torn down the old edifice. -It is true that a few so-called -Socialist papers pretend to tell us -what will be “under Socialism”—vague, -Utopian—pardon the term—“pipe<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_307"></a>[Pg 307]</span> -dreams”; but none of them will -give even an outline sketch of how -collective industry might be carried -on, preferring to hide behind the excuse -that “we’ll cross that bridge -when we reach it.” Alas! The bridge -might happen to be washed out by the -floods of social revolution.</p> - -<p>Being an extreme on the side of -materialism as opposed to idealism, -or collectivism as opposed to individualism, -Socialism is quite impossible -as a scheme of government. Besides, -the “materialistic conception of history,” -upon which Socialism bases its -prediction of the co-operative commonwealth, -is not wholly scientific, because -it fails to consider what changes -may be wrought by invention. In a -general way, it may be said that -the invention of gunpowder destroyed -feudalism, and that the discovery of -steam power and its application to -manufacturing broke up the guild -system of masters, journeymen and -apprentices, and ushered in the present -wage system. Who has the hardihood -to prophesy what an Edison may not -do in the years to come, or to foretell -what the effect may be?</p> - -<p>The program of Populism is at once -radical and conservative. It is radical, -because it goes to the root of the -difficulty and will effect a profound -change. It is conservative, because it -will enable the great mass of wealth -producers to conserve what they now -have and what they produce in future, -by exempting them from the legalized -robberies committed by railroads, -banks, trusts and other forms of predatory -wealth.</p> - -<p>Populism, recognizing the institution -of private property, and the -people’s veneration and love for it, -looks back over history’s pages and -sees two things which, up to the recent -past, have always been regarded -as prerogatives of the state. One is -the coinage, issue and control of -money; the other, the ownership and -control of highways.</p> - -<p>Under the term “money” we may -properly include all those modern -makeshifts which are armed with -partial legal-tender power, or even -those without such power, if they generally -perform the offices of money. -Without discussing it in detail—because -thousands of volumes have been -written upon the subject without exhausting -it—it seems quite certain that -if Congress is to really exercise its -right—and undoubted duty—“to coin -money and regulate the value thereof,” -there can be no “free” coinage of -either gold or silver; and the Government -must go into the banking business.</p> - -<p>Under the term “highways” we may -properly include railroads, canals, telegraphs, -telephones, expresses—in short, -all means of transportation and communication.</p> - -<p>Most of the trust oppressions grow -directly out of private ownership of -the means of transportation and transmission -of intelligence—the highways—and -the private issue of money. Populism -asks that these great evils be -corrected—and that the individual be -allowed to conduct his own private -business with the least possible interference -by government. There will -always be work for the reformer; but -wisdom dictates that the greatest evils -be first eliminated, so that many of a -minor character may be allowed to -correct themselves.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="To_Roosevelt" id="To_Roosevelt"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>To Roosevelt</i></h2></div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0"><span class="bigfont">O</span>UR hero is a man of peace,</span> - <span class="i2">Preparedness he implores,</span> - <span class="i0">His sword within its scabbard sleeps,</span> - <span class="i2">But, mercy! how it snores!</span> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_308"></a>[Pg 308]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="The_Regalia_of_Money" id="The_Regalia_of_Money"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>The Regalia of Money</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY ALEXANDER DEL MAR</p> - -<p class="blockquot space-below2">[Mr. Del Mar’s career as a financial writer -covers a period of more than half a century. -He was the financial editor of the Washington -<i>National Intelligencer</i>, the New York -<i>Daily American Times</i>, <i>Hunt’s Merchants’ -Magazine</i>, <i>The Social Science Review</i>, <i>The -Leader</i>, <i>The Commercial and Financial -Chronicle</i>, and other journals of national -importance. After filling the offices of -Director of the Bureau of Statistics, Commerce -and Navigation, Commissioner to -Italy, Holland and Russia, member of the -United States Monetary Commission, etc., -he devoted his leisure to a “History of Money -in the Principal States of the World,” “The -Science of Money,” and other works relating -to this great subject, all of which have -secured the approval of the critical press of -Europe and America and passed through -repeated editions, both in English and other -languages.—<span class="smcap">Editor.</span>]</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">IN the recent Presidential election -the People’s Party inserted in its -platform a principle of such -transcendent importance that, were -it generally understood, had its operation -been brought home to the great -mass of the people, could its far-reaching -consequences have been portrayed -so that everybody might observe them, -it would have dwarfed every other -issue on that occasion presented to the -country. As it was, nobody, except -the few gallant leaders of the People’s -Party, paid the least attention to it, -and the election was decided upon other -grounds.</p> - -<p>That principle concerned the Regalia -of Money, which the People’s platform -demanded should be restored to -its rightful owners, the Government, -the people of the United States. It -can be demonstrated that, had this -been done, many of the vexed questions -before the country, such as the Monopolization -of Industries, the Financial -Trusts, the Municipal Ownership of -Public Utilities, etc., would have been -placed in a fair way of settlement.</p> - -<p>In a series of magazine articles, which -contain much that has the appearance -of being exaggerated, untrue and -vindictive, but which also contain -much that is true and susceptible of -verification, Mr. Thomas Lawson has -been arousing the public to a sense of -the dangers of the Financiers’ System, -the System by which the banks, the -insurance companies, the trusts and -the Stock Exchange are employed by -so-called Captains of Industry to -despoil the people. After explaining -how the game is conducted, he shows -that even those who refrain from gambling -on the Stock Exchange, and who -may have no financial transactions beyond -keeping a bank account or insuring -their lives, are drawn into it, -against their knowledge and will, and -robbed of all the fruits of their labor -and abstinence.</p> - -<p>Lawson began his articles by accusing -certain persons and putting up -bluffs; a mode of argument which he -soon found was not convincing. He -now perceives that the fault lies in the -System, and that at the bottom of the -System lies the subject of Money. The -whole series of transactions which, he -alleges, have in the course of a few years -taken several thousand millions out of -the pockets of the masses and transferred -them into those of a few cunning -and unscrupulous operators, hung -upon this single question: Shall the -Government of the United States exercise -its Regalia of Money or not? -Mr. Lawson keeps up the interest of his -readers by promising them a remedy -for the disorders he describes. Should -the remedy not include the regulation<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_309"></a>[Pg 309]</span> -of Money, I hazard nothing in predicting -that it will prove an entire failure -and delusion.</p> - -<p>What is the Regalia of Money? Is -it some new-fangled notion about -the coinage, some argument which -turns upon the obscure meaning of -Value, some phase of the tiresome Silver -Question? Nothing of the kind. -The Regalia of Money is a prerogative -of government, familiar to every jurisconsult; -a well-known, clearly defined -and necessary attribute of Sovereign -Power. It is laid down in all the great -law books, in Budelius, Grotius, Puffendorf, -Vattel, Molinæus, Grimaudet, -Wheaton, Martens, and a host of other -authorities. It is described as “a -power which the state reserves to -itself, for its own safety and welfare”; -the power to create money, give it -denomination and control its issues. -Like the power to make war, peace and -treaties, and to establish uniform -weights and measures, it is called regalia, -because it belongs to and must -be exercised alone by sovereign states, -as a prerogative which is necessary to -their welfare, and essential to their -autonomy, dignity and authority.</p> - -<p>When the American Republic was -established the Regalia of Money was -exercised by all of the Colonies which -united to form the Federation, whereupon, -and as a matter of necessity, they -all surrendered it to the general Government, -which, under the Constitution, -alone has the power to issue -money and regulate its value or denominations. -It was a misfortune -that when the Union was formed it -was so poor that it was obliged to -tolerate the issuance of money by a -private corporation, the Bank of Pennsylvania. -Out of that bank grew all -of the so-called state banks of a subsequent -period, and out of those state -banks, during the Civil War, grew all -of the so-called National banks. Every -one of these banks, both “state” and -“National,” were all, and are yet, private -banks, their titles in every case -being misnomers. It is not intended -to say a word against banks as guardians -and lenders of money; on the contrary, -they are recognized as highly -useful and even indispensable institutions. -As a rule, they are conducted -by respectable and honorable men, and -it cannot be disputed that they have -done much to promote the progress of -industry and the prosperity of trade. -Whether they would have done more -or less in these directions had they not -been permitted to usurp the Regalia of -Money, which act forms no necessary -part of a banking business, it is not -proposed to discuss. Said Mr. Jefferson: -“I have ever been the enemy of -banks; not of those discounting for -cash, but of those foisting <i>their own -money</i> into circulation, and thus banishing -<i>our</i> cash.” What influence, -whether for good or evil, which this -usurpation of the Regalia exercised in -his day it is now too late to examine.</p> - -<p>But the time has come when the -relinquishment of the Regalia to the -banks can no longer be tolerated. The -bankers have had a century of profitable -innings; the people now demand -theirs. The state laws of incorporation -are so contradictory, loose and -pliable that there have grown up under -them companies and institutions -so constituted that, in combination -with banks usurping the Regalia, it is -in their power—and this is what Mr. -Lawson has shown very effectively—to -strip the nation over and over again -of its earnings, and eventually to absorb -its entire wealth. It is scarcely -too much to say that unless the United -States Government resumes this Regalia, -and absolutely prohibits the -circulation of any money, whether of -metal or paper, not of its own immediate -issuance, we will find ourselves in the -course of very few years hopelessly in -debt to a band of absentee millionaires, -who, having shown us their -heels, will next show us their teeth.</p> - -<p>It is not alone the people who are -in danger of being impoverished by the -System, it is not alone that the Government -will be jeopardized; it is also -that the banks, the insurance companies -and numerous other classes of trade -corporations will themselves be drawn -into the nets that are being spread for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_310"></a>[Pg 310]</span> -them, nets strewn with their own bird-lime, -and delivered over to the scheming -millionaires who are preparing to -plunder them. Mr. Lawson wholly -neglects this phase of the subject. His -ardor is all for the dear people, to -arouse whose righteous indignation, -he informs us, he is expending a fortune. -Such reckless munificence, on -the part of a man who ostentatiously -advertises himself as the manager or -director of several corporations, goes far -toward indicating the correctness of -our position. It is not doubted that -Mr. Lawson sympathizes with the -people and is anxious to point out the -dangers that threaten them. On the -other hand, it cannot be supposed that -he is indifferent to the fate of the banks -and other companies with which he is -connected. The fact is that, having -thoroughly skinned the people, the -Captains of Industry are now prepared -to skin the corporations, and that it is -going to skin them with weapons -plucked from its victims. These weapons -are the notes which the banks -have issued in defiance of the Regalia -of Money.</p> - -<p>The banks will perhaps more fully -appreciate the sort of people they are -dealing with if we interpolate at this -point a few words touching their humanity. -The principal, almost the -sole lever with which the Captains of -Industry are “working” this nation, -is the issue of “National” bank-notes, -and the elastic feature conferred upon -it by law. This system was established -by Salmon P. Chase, ex-Governor -of Ohio, ex-Senator of the United -States, then Secretary of the Treasury, -and afterward Chief Justice of the -United States; a man of the highest -integrity, and perhaps for that reason -wholly incapable of coping with Mr. -John Thompson and the other Chevaliers -of Industry of the last generation. -It will naturally be supposed -that had this class of men the slightest -taint of humanity they would at least -have taken care to honor the memory -of their principal benefactor. Well, -we will show you how they did it. -Judge Chase, after serving his country -in many capacities during a long lifetime, -expired in poverty and in debt; -his daughter died of grief and starvation; -his grandchildren are at present -living in very humble circumstances; -his personal effects, his books, even -the petty keepsakes and trinkets of -his children, were exposed to the gaze -of the vulgar and sold at a public auction -in New York to satisfy his creditors, -the rapacious Captains of Industry; -while the body of this great but -guileless man lies today in an obscure -churchyard, without a tombstone over -it. Such is the humanity of the Captains -of Industry.</p> - -<p>It is an essential part of the merry -game which these Captains are -permitted to play that they shall -always have in their hands the means -alternately to inflate and contract the -currency, at any given point, say, for -example, New York. With the mints -restricted to the coinage of metal for -private persons, and the hands of the -Government tied to a fixed issue of -greenbacks, while their own hands are -free, the mischievous elasticity which -they employ for the success of their -operations is easily acquired by getting -command of the principal banks of -issue. The moment they press their -fingers on this button the market immediately -responds by throwing its -stocks overboard; and the moment -they release the button, up rise the -stocks again. It is by means of this -simple mechanism that the public has -been plundered, and that it is now -planned to plunder the companies. -That there is no longer any art in the -trained motorman’s vocation is proved -by the small wages he commands. -The art is in providing the power and -controlling the mechanism which -drives the cars. In the Captains-of-Industry -game the power is derived -from the elastic bank issues: the mechanism -consists of certain banks and -insurance companies and the Stock Exchange. -Given the power and mechanism -which these establishments furnish, -any bandit could work the game -and have plenty of leisure to spare. -The System is automatic.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_311"></a>[Pg 311]</span></p> - -<p>In contemplating this scene of legalized -robbery, euphemistically termed -“finance,” it will not do to lose our -heads. There are banks and banks, -there are insurance companies and insurance -companies, there are trade -corporations and trade corporations. -They are not all alike. Some are in the -game, as vassals and creatures of the -Captains; some are in it, hoping, alas! -but vainly, to outlive the Captains and -profit by their fall; while others are -out of it altogether; good, sound companies, -safely managed and cautious to -avoid contamination. The banks and -other companies last named will not -suffer from collapse, they will always -continue to be solvent; but they will -suffer from a forced conservatism and -from an unduly small share of business, -until our deluded people wake up and -smash some furniture, or until the -banks themselves recognize the dangerous -part which their own issues -play in this pandemonium of rascality. -They will then be glad voluntarily to -surrender them into the hands of the -Government.</p> - -<p>If now it be asked in what manner -will the opportunities of the Captains -for robbing the community be restrained -or curtailed by substituting -Government money for bank-notes, -the reply is that the beneficial effects -of such restraint will not arise so much -from a difference in the money as from -a difference in the power to issue or -retire it. And in a future article will -be shown, by practical examples, the -difference between the working of an -elastic currency when such elasticity -is controlled by the Government, and -when it is controlled, as it now is, by -the Chevaliers of Industry.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="drop-cap">“MY agency in procuring the passage of the National Bank Act was the -greatest financial mistake of my life. It has built up a monopoly that -affects every interest in the country. It should be repealed. But before this -can be accomplished the people will be arrayed on one side and the banks on the -other in a contest such as we have never seen in this country.”</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Hon. Salmon P. Chase.</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="drop-cap">“IF it is possible to inaugurate a greater system of robbery of the people’s -money [than the state banks], that system has been inaugurated in the -present system of national banks. The money lost by the people under the old -system of state banks is a mere bagatelle when compared to that which has been -and will be taken from them under the present system of national banks.”</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Hon. James G. Blaine (1880).</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="drop-cap">“ATTEMPTS to monopolize wheat, copper, sugar and other commodities -have been dealt with by writers and politicians as conspiracies against -society.</p> - -<p>“But the monopolization of money, the medium of exchange, is strangely -regarded as essential to the welfare of society.</p> - -<p>“And yet money monopoly is a monopoly of not merely one, but of all commodities.”</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Arthur Kitson.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_312"></a>[Pg 312]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="The_Open_Door_of_the_Constitution" id="The_Open_Door_of_the_Constitution"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>The Open Door of the Constitution</i></h2></div> - -<p class="f90 space-above1 space-below1">THE NECESSITY FOR AMENDMENTS AND OUR FAILURE TO REVISE THAT -DOCUMENT BY THE METHOD SUGGESTED BY ITS FOUNDERS</p> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY FREDERICK UPHAM ADAMS<br /> -<i>Author of “The Kidnapped Millionaires,” “John Burt,” “Colonel Monroe’s Doctrine” -and “The Shades of the Fathers”</i></p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE men who builded the Constitution -were consumed by no -senseless adulation of their own -handicraft. They were not possessed -of the delusion that they were inspired, -neither did they dream that future generations -would search the record of -their quarrels and selfish compromises -for the key which would enable them -to solve problems as they arose. They -planned a document for the regulation -of a people whom they believed unfitted -for more than a small share in -the affairs of government. They were -not blind to its imperfections, but they -assumed that those who came after -them would have the sense to remedy -defects as they developed under the -operation of the system then timidly -launched.</p> - -<p>There is this justification for the -worship of the founders of the Constitution, -viz., they had the common -sense to revise and modify their -governmental charter so as to conform -to new conditions—a trait or an -instinct of which hardly a trace remains -in their descendants.</p> - -<p>In the popular parlance of those -days the proposed Constitution was -called “The New Roof,” and its -founders urged the people to get under -it and keep out of the rain. It is -difficult to address an appeal to a people -which prefers to venerate that roof -on account of its antiquity, rather than -to repair the innumerable leaks and -fissures due to decay and to the gales -and storms of more than a hundred -years.</p> - -<p>The man who venerates any work -of human origin is an ass. His asininity -is exactly in degree with the smallness -of the objects selected for his veneration. -The man who humbly lowers -his eyes in contemplation of a political -constitution proclaims a lack of mental -breadth fitted to comprehend humanity -or to understand the plain -lessons of history, and he has insulted -the one entity worthy of veneration—the -Maker of the Universe.</p> - -<p>In a preceding article I proved that -the framers of the Constitution distrusted -the people almost to the point -of hatred, and that they deliberately -planned to design a document which -would give them the semblance of -popular rule but none of its substance. -This is an unquestioned historical -fact. Its declaration may seem startling -to those who are confronted with -the unvarnished truth for the first -time, but they will find it refreshing to -study the real history of those days, -rather than ignorantly to worship -demigods who never existed.</p> - -<p>Immutable laws cannot be coexistent -with progress. We should -study the past, not for the purpose of -supinely imitating it, but with a view -of profiting by its mistakes. That -government is best which avoids the -pitfalls of the past, exists for those who -live today, and erects no barriers for -the generations that will follow.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_313"></a>[Pg 313]</span></p> - -<p>For the benefit of those who still -cling to the belief that constitutional -wisdom had its birth with Washington -and his compatriots, I take the -liberty of quoting a few extracts from -letters written by the Father of his -Country before and after the constitutional -convention had finished its -labors. These utterances of Washington -are trite and easily understood, -and since their authenticity is unquestioned, -they possess as much of inspiration -as any wisdom coming -from him or his colleagues.</p> - -<p>These extracts are contained in -letters written by Washington to -leading men of that period, urging -them to give their support to the -adoption of the new Constitution, and -he pinned his faith to one argument, -as you shall see. I commend to all -idolaters of that document a careful -reading of Washington’s opinion of it, -and his advice to them.</p> - -<p>Shortly before the convention met he -wrote a letter to John Jay, bearing -the date of March 10, 1787. The convention -assembled May 14 of that -year. In that letter Washington said:</p> - -<p>“Notwithstanding the boasted virtue -of America, it is more than probable -we shall exhibit the last melancholy -proof that mankind <i>are not -competent to their own government -without the means of coercion in a -sovereign</i>.”</p> - -<p>There is no occult meaning hidden -in these words. Washington had no -faith in the capacity of the people to -govern themselves, and did not hesitate -to say so. In this, as I proved in -a preceding article, he was in accord -with the overwhelming majority of the -delegates who composed that convention. -The question I desire to ask -is this: Was Washington inspired -when he wrote those lines to John Jay, -and if not, when did his inspiration -begin?</p> - -<p>Let us see what he wrote after the -convention had finished its work. On -January 12, 1788, he wrote to Mr. -Charles Carter as follows:</p> - -<p>“I am not a blind admirer (for I saw -its imperfections) of the Constitution -to which I have assisted to give -birth; but I am fully persuaded it is -the best that can be obtained at this -day, and that it is it or disunion before -us. When the defects of it are experienced, -a constitutional door is open -for amendments.”</p> - -<p>There is nothing evasive about this, -but those who now repeat such sentiments -are suspected of treason by -fools, and of a lack of patriotism by -unthinking conservatives. On February -7, 1788, Washington wrote to -Lafayette and said:</p> - -<p>“Should the Constitution which is -now offered to the people of America -be found on experiment less perfect -than it can be made, a constitutional -door is left open for its amelioration.”</p> - -<p>We have made that experiment. -Have we found the Constitution perfect? -Where is that “constitutional -door,” and why do we not open it?</p> - -<p>Writing from Mount Vernon in October, -1787, to Henry Knox, Washington -said:</p> - -<p>“Is there not a constitutional door -open for alterations and amendments? -Is it not likely that real defects will be -as readily discovered after as before -trial? Will not our successors be as -ready to apply the remedy as ourselves, -if occasion should demand it? -To think otherwise will, in my opinion, -be ascribing more love of country, -more wisdom and more virtue to ourselves -than I think we deserve.”</p> - -<p>Dear Shade of Washington! You -may have been inspired, but you were -not able to foresee the bigotry, the ignorance -and the cowardice of your descendants. -In the language of Cicero, -“we are so tied to certain beliefs that -we are bound to defend even those we -do not approve.” We are like the -fools Montaigne describes, “who do -not ask whether such and such a thing -be true, but whether it has been so and -so understood.” We know that the -Constitution is full of errors, but all -that we ask is that we may be given -the wisdom so to interpret it as to -suffer as few discomforts from its perpetual -operation as possible. In the -language of Seneca, we believe in “not<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_314"></a>[Pg 314]</span> -only a necessity of erring, but we have -a love of error.”</p> - -<p>One more of the innumerable quotations -of like purport from George -Washington will be sufficient. On November -10, 1787, he wrote from Mount -Vernon to Bushrod Washington and -said:</p> - -<p>“The people (for it is with them to -judge) can, as they will have the advantage -of experience on their side, decide -with as much propriety on the -alterations and amendments which are -necessary as ourselves. I do not think -we are more inspired, have more wisdom -or possess more virtue than those -who will come after us. The power -under the Constitution will always be -with the people.”</p> - -<p>I have been a fairly zealous student -of American history, yet I have never -seen these quotations from the writings -of George Washington in print outside -of the huge compilation of his documents -and letters to be found in well-ordered -reference libraries. Certain -it is that our school children are not -taught that such characters as Washington -doubted the absolute perfection -of the Constitution. Certain it is that -not one man in ten thousand in the -United States ever has had an opportunity -to consider our Constitution in -the light of the facts presented in this -paper and in the one which preceded it.</p> - -<p>The truth is that the people of the -United States are unfamiliar not only -with the history of the formation of the -Constitution, but the vast majority of -them do not know what it contains. -Many of them confound the Declaration -of Independence with the Constitution. -What is the “Open Door” in -the Constitution to which Washington -repeatedly refers?</p> - -<p>Before considering that, let us list a -few of the abuses which the more -thoughtful admit exist under our Constitution. -Ignoring all of lesser importance -I will name four, any one of -which constitutes a menace to the perpetuation -of free government. These -are as follows:</p> - -<p>First, the election of a President and -Vice-President under the absurd and -antiquated method provided by the -Constitution, in which citizens vote -for electors, and the decision is made -by the unit vote of states, irrespective -of the majorities cast. Under this grotesque -system it has repeatedly happened -that candidates obtaining an -actual majority of the votes cast have -been defeated by the minority. There -is not one valid argument in favor of -the continuance of this unrepublican -and undemocratic elective monstrosity.</p> - -<p>Second, the election of senators by -the state legislatures, a system which -is the fountain-head of the corruption -of American politics, and which has -given us a Senate, a large percentage -of whose members owe their selection -to selfish private interests. The error -of this system has been so conclusively -shown that there is no honest defense -for it. The founders of the Constitution -designed it for the purpose of -making the Senate the citadel of patriotic -wealth; it has degenerated into -a chamber in which the admitted representatives -of vested interests defend -their masters against fair legislative -enactments, and force unfair compromises -on the popular branch which constitutes -the House of Representatives.</p> - -<p>Third, the equal representation of -unequal states in the Senate. This -vicious compromise was made in the -constitutional convention as the price -of the perpetuation of slavery. There -was no justification for it even at a -time when this nation was no more than -a federation of states. Washington, -Madison, Randolph, Morris, Franklin -and every broad-minded man in that -convention protested against it, and -their fame is tarnished because they -finally submitted to so cowardly and -unfair a compromise. Now that the -logic of events has made this a nation, -despite the restrictive clauses of the -Constitution, the dual participation of -an unrepresentative Senate is so grotesque -that its continuance is fraught -with a danger which at any time is likely -to precipitate civil war, in the event -that at some crucial moment this body -shall exercise its constitutional powers -combined with those it has arrogated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_315"></a>[Pg 315]</span></p> - -<p>Unless the Constitution be entirely -repealed, there is no way by amendment -to deprive any state of its equal -representation in the Senate. It is too -much to expect that all of the corrupt -boroughs which now hold the undeserved -dignity of statehood will relinquish -the selfish advantage bequeathed -them by the unwisdom of -the forefathers, but it is possible to -make amendments to the Constitution -which will reduce the Senate of the -United States to a state of harmless -inefficiency. It is possible to preserve -its form and extract its substance, and -the people should set about the task -with no qualms of conscience. Great -Britain showed the way when she -boldly reduced her House of Lords to a -condition of docile vassalage to the -popular branch of her Parliament, and -she was aroused to this righteous act -of retaliation by abuses which were of -small consequence compared to those -from which we have tamely suffered. -It is possible, under the Constitution, -to strip the Senate of its legislative -power, permitting it to retain its feature -of unequal representation, and reserving -for it a chamber in which those -who wish for the honor can keep up -the pretense of governmental power -and prestige.</p> - -<p>Fourth, the specific enumeration and -limitation of the powers and functions -of the Federal Judiciary, including the -Supreme Court of the United States -and all other courts authorized by Congress. -This is the paramount subject -for constitutional amendment or revision. -The founders of our Government -did not contemplate any such -grant of power as now is wielded by the -courts. There is nothing in the document -itself which warrants the prerogatives -which have been assumed by the -courts, and the records of the speeches -and the proceedings in the constitutional -convention when the judiciary -was under consideration contain no -hint that they were to be granted the -power to annul a law passed by Congress -and signed by the President of -the United States. Years passed before -the Supreme Court dared attempt -such a step, and when it did Jefferson -scornfully ignored its mandate. -Presidents as late as Lincoln have declined -to acquiesce in the interference -of the Federal Courts, but slowly and -insidiously this branch of the Government -has reached out and grasped -power, until today it is supreme in -fact as well as in name.</p> - -<p>The Supreme Court is the creature -of the Presidents and is subject to the -direction of Congress, yet it has arrogated -to itself the power of overriding -the will of the entire people as recorded -by its Congress and affirmed by its -chief executive. If they are doing this -without warrant of the Constitution, -the day will come when, in the inevitable -conflict between the court and -the Congress or the President, or both -combined, there will be precipitated a -question which will rend the country -with civil war. If they do this under -the implied authority of the Constitution, -that document should be amended -so as to preclude their future interference -with laws passed by Congress and -signed by the President.</p> - -<p>As we exist today we are not a republic -or a democracy, neither have -we a representative form of government. -We are a “judiciary”—if one -may coin such a word. Ours is the -only country on earth where an elective -or appointed judge presumes to wield -the most autocratic power of the absolute -monarch, viz., the veto of a law -passed and demanded by the people. -We have become so accustomed to this -that we do not properly realize what -it means. We teach ourselves to acknowledge -the “sacredness of the judiciary” -and to bow in humble contrition -to any mandate thundered from -the Bench. We assent to the insane -doctrine that there is not enough of -wisdom in a House of Representatives -elected by 17,000,000 voters, combined -with the check of an ultra-conservative -Senate chosen by forty-five state -legislatures, and indorsed by the judgment -and responsibility of a President, -to incorporate for our government a -law until such law has been affirmed -by the majority of a Supreme Court.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_316"></a>[Pg 316]</span></p> - -<p>If there be sense in this dogma, I am -unable to see why it is not equally just -that a minority of the Supreme Court -should not be empowered to annul laws. -Why does the Supreme Court cling to -the inconsistent theory that its majority -possesses as much wisdom as its -minority?</p> - -<p>In a series of articles which I am -now preparing, I am attempting to discuss -certain of these questions with as -much frankness as I possess; but the -purpose of this paper, and the one -which preceded it, is to call attention -to “the unopened door in the Constitution”—the -one which Washington -repeatedly referred to in the passages -from which I have quoted. It is a -difficult matter to arouse public attention -to any single amendment, no matter -how important the subject may be. -There is a reason for this.</p> - -<p>The people instinctively know that -no one amendment can redress the ills -which now exist. They do not know -how to go about a crusade for constitutional -reform, and most of them probably -imagine that there is no way in -which it can be done. There is a way, -a simple, practical and legal way, and -the political party which takes advantage -of it and conducts an intelligent -campaign in its behalf will sweep all -before it.</p> - -<p>Here is “The Open Door of the Constitution -of the United States,” as contained -in Article V of that document:</p> - -<p class="blockquot">The Congress, whenever two-thirds of -both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall -propose amendments to this Constitution, -or, on the application of the legislatures of -two-thirds of the several states, <i>shall call a -convention for proposing amendments</i>, which, -in either case, shall be valid to all intents -and purposes as part of this Constitution, -when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths -of the several states, <i>or by conventions -in three-fourths thereof, as the one or -the other mode of ratification may be proposed -by the Congress</i>; provided that no amendment -which may be made prior to the year -1808 shall in any manner affect the first -and fourth clauses of the Ninth Section of -the First Article; and that no state, without -its consent, shall be deprived of its -equal suffrage in the Senate.</p> - -<p>There is a door as wide as that of a -church. It is the most liberal and -democratic feature of a document filled -with restrictions, and Washington and -others were justified in assuming that -we would have the sense to walk -through it, rather than to attempt to -get in by scaling the walls and crawling -through a steeple window.</p> - -<p>Our alleged progressive political platforms -are of no value without a demand -for the revision of the Constitution -of the United States along some -such lines as I have attempted to outline. -It is idle to expect the people to -rally to the support of any reform, however -badly needed, so long as they -have valid reasons to believe there is -likelihood that a bill in its behalf will -meet the fate of the lamented income -tax law. Why ask them to shoot in -the air when so broad a target is before -them?</p> - -<p>The wise thing to do is to attack -boldly the unfair provisions of the Constitution, -and attack it with a fair -weapon fashioned by the Constitution. -Such a campaign possesses all the elements -of strength and strategy. You -are safe from the attacks of those who -ever hide behind the alleged sanctity -of that document. You can turn their -own weapons against them. You are -standing on the Constitution. You are -following to the letter the advice and -wishes of Washington and others of his -day.</p> - -<p>The bulls and excommunications of -the courts need not dismay you. Are -not they the creatures of the Constitution? -Does anyone deny that there is -a possibility that the courts have gone -beyond their constitutional powers? Is -it not within the province of the free -people to amend a constitution by constitutional -means?</p> - -<p>Again, a movement for any one of -the reforms which are now pressing to -the fore would appeal with irresistible -force to its advocates if they knew -that success at the polls would incorporate -its provisions in the organic law -of the land. Those who believe that -the best interests of the nation will be -conserved by more just systems of taxation, -by direct legislation, by the control -or ownership of the means of transportation<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_317"></a>[Pg 317]</span> -and other measures in line -with the logic of events, would know -that they were not fighting in vain if a -victory with the ballot meant a legislative -victory.</p> - -<p>I hold that the “Open Door” offers -not only the one way to popular triumph, -but that success by it is certain -and not difficult of attainment. Our -national structure totters because of -an antique and crumbling foundation. -Rebuild it!</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="To_One_Departed" id="To_One_Departed"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>To One Departed</i></h2></div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0"><span class="bigfont">S</span>ITTING, apart in the café, under a glare of light,</span> - <span class="i0">Surrounded by wealth and beauty, I ponder here tonight.</span> - <span class="i0">’Tis down in old New Orleans and the Carnival is in sway,</span> - <span class="i0">There are music, jest and laughter—the revelry of the gay.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">While sitting here alone, dear, midst all this merry throng,</span> - <span class="i0">The band begins to play, dear, our old, best loved song;</span> - <span class="i0">They call it, dear, “Love’s Old Sweet Song,” and oh, it brings to me</span> - <span class="i0">A longing deep to lay me down and rest, sweetheart, by thee.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">I listen to the music and hear the chattering throng,</span> - <span class="i0">There steals o’er me a wondrous spell, again I hear the song</span> - <span class="i0"><i>As sung by you</i>, in the long ago, whose sweetness was so brief,</span> - <span class="i0">And now, alone, I sit here with your memory and my grief.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">I have wandered over many lands in search of something true,</span> - <span class="i0">And now I know, my darling, I found it but in you.</span> - <span class="i0">I’ve searched afar for sweet content, and sought in vain for rest,</span> - <span class="i0">I know I ne’er could find it, dear, save on thy faithful breast.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">Amidst this scene of life and mirth it is for you I crave,</span> - <span class="i0">I seem to stand a thousand miles away, beside your grave,</span> - <span class="i0">And see the stars that o’er it, there, a gentle vigil keep,</span> - <span class="i0">And kiss the flowers that wave o’er you, my sweetheart, in your sleep.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">So, sitting here, surrounded thus by joy and beauty rare</span> - <span class="i0">With much to bring me happiness, and much to banish care,</span> - <span class="i0">I know that now and evermore, I’ll always love you best,</span> - <span class="i0">And learn to lie beside you, dear, to sleep—to sleep and rest.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">My eyes grow dim with longing; my heart grows numb with pain;</span> - <span class="i0">I feel that you are waiting, dear, to clasp me once again.</span> - <span class="i0">My soul pines for the journey’s end, when I, too, shall be free,</span> - <span class="i0">And I’ll lie down to sleep, love, in the last long sleep, near thee.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="right"><span class="smcap">Bernard P. Bogy.</span></div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="f120"><i>According to Garfield</i></p> - -<p class="drop-cap">STELLA—Would you marry a poor man?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Bella</span>—Yes, I would marry a beef magnate who only made two per cent.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_318"></a>[Pg 318]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="Pole_Baker" id="Pole_Baker"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Pole Baker</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY WILL N. HARBEN<br /> -<i>Author of “The Georgians,” “Abner Daniel,” etc.</i></p> - -<h3>SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS</h3> - -<p class="blockquot space-below2">In a small Georgia town a friendship has grown up -between Pole Baker, reformed moonshiner and an unusual -and likable character, and young Nelson Floyd, -who was left as a baby in a mountain cabin by an unknown -woman just before her death. Floyd, in the -face of many trials and temptations, has worked his -way up in the world and made a man of himself. Jeff -Wade appears at the store, in which Floyd has become -a partner, to avenge on him a rumored injustice to -Wade’s sister. Pole Baker’s tact prevents a duel by -making Floyd see that the unselfish course is for him -to avoid a meeting. Cynthia Porter comes to the -store, alarmed for Floyd’s safety. On his way home -to his family Pole falls a victim to his besetting sin of -drink.</p> - -<h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> - -<p class="drop-cap">IT was Sunday morning a week -later. Springtown’s principal -church stood in the edge of the -village, on the red clay road leading up -the mountainside, now in the delicate -green of spring, touched here and there -by fragrant splotches of pink honeysuckle -and white, dark-eyed dogwood -blossoms. The building was a diminutive -affair, with five shuttered windows -on either side, a pulpit at one end and -a door at the other. A single aisle -cut the rough benches into two halves, -one side being occupied by the men -and the other by the women. The -only exception to this rule was a bench -set aside, as if by common consent, for -Captain Duncan, who always sat with -his family, as did any male guests who -attended service with them.</p> - -<p>The Rev. Jason Hillhouse was the -regular pastor. He was under thirty -years of age, very tall, slight of -build and nervous in temperament. -He wore the conventional black frock -coat, high-cut waistcoat, black necktie -and gray trousers. He was popular. -He had applied himself closely to the -duties of his calling and was considered -a man of character and worth. While -not a college graduate, he was yet -sufficiently well-read in the Bible and -religious literature to suit even the more -progressive of mountain churchgoers. -He differed radically from many of -the young preachers who were living -imitations of that noted evangelist, the -Rev. Tom P. Smith, “the whirlwind -preacher,” in that he was conservative -in the selection of topics for discourse -and in his mild delivery.</p> - -<p>Today he was at his best. Few in -the congregation suspected it, but if -he distributed his glances evenly over -the upturned faces, his thoughts were -focussed on only one personality—that -of modest Cynthia Porter, who, in a -becoming gray gown, sat with her -mother on the third bench from the -front. Mrs. Porter, a woman fifty-five -years of age, was very plainly -attired in a homespun dress, to which -she had added no ornament of any -kind. She wore a gingham poke-bonnet, -the hood of which hid her face even -from the view of the minister. Her -husband, old Nathan Porter, sat directly -across the aisle from her. He -was one of the roughest-looking men -in the house. He had come without -his coat, and wore no collar or necktie, -and for comfort, as the day was warm, -he had even thrown off the burden of -his suspenders, which lay in careless -loops about his hips. He had a broad -expanse of baldness, to the edge of -which hung a narrow fringe of white -hair, a healthful, pink complexion and -blue eyes.</p> - -<p>When the sermon was over and the -doxology sung, the preacher stepped -down into the congregation to take the -numerous hands cordially extended to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_319"></a>[Pg 319]</span> -him. While he was thus engaged old -Mayhew came from the amen corner -on the right, and nodded and smiled -patronizingly.</p> - -<p>“You did pretty well today, young -man,” he said. “I like doctrinal -talks. There’s no getting around good, -sound doctrine, Hillhouse. We’d have -less lawlessness if we could keep -our people filled plumb full of sound -doctrine. But you don’t look like -you’ve been eating enough, my boy. -Come home with me and I’ll give you -a good dinner. I heard a fat hen -squeal early this morning, as my cook -jerked her head off. It looks a pity -to take life on a Sunday, but if that -hen had been allowed to live, she might -have broken a commandment by hunting -for worms on this day of rest. -Come on with me.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t, Brother Mayhew; not -today, thank you.” The young man -flushed as his glance struggled on to -the Porters, who were waiting near the -door. “The fact is, I’ve already accepted -an invitation.”</p> - -<p>“From somebody with a girl in the -family, I’ll bet.” Mayhew laughed as -he playfully thrust the crooked end of -his walking-stick against the preacher’s -side. “I wish I knew why so many -women are dead set on getting a -preacher in the family. It may be because -they know they will be provided -for after some fashion or other by the -church at large, in case of death or -accident.”</p> - -<p>The preacher laughed as he moved -on, shaking hands and dispensing -cheery words of welcome right and -left. Presently the way was clear and -he found himself near Cynthia and her -mother.</p> - -<p>“Sorry to keep you standing here,” -he said, his color rising as he took the -girl’s hand.</p> - -<p>“Oh, it doesn’t matter at all, -Brother Hillhouse,” the old woman -assured him. “I’ll go on an’ overtake -Mr. Porter; you and Cynthia can stroll -home by the shadiest way. You -needn’t walk fast; you’ll get hot if you -do. Cynthia, I won’t need you before -dinner. I’ve got everything ready, -with nothing to do but lay back the -cloth and push the plates into their -places. I want Brother Hillhouse -just to taste that pound cake you made. -I’m a good hand at desserts myself, -Brother Hillhouse, but she can beat me -any day in the week.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I know Miss Cynthia can cook,” -said the minister. “At the picnic at -Cohutta Springs last week she took -the prize for her fried chicken.”</p> - -<p>“I told you all that mother fried -that chicken,” said the girl indifferently. -She had seen Nelson Floyd -mounting his fine Kentucky horse -among the trees across the street, and -had deliberately turned her back -toward him.</p> - -<p>“Well, I believe I <i>did</i> fix the -chicken,” Mrs. Porter admitted, “but -she made the custards and the cake -and icing. Besides, the poor girl was -having a lot of trouble with her dress. -She washed and did up that muslin -twice—the iron spoiled it the first -time. I declare I’d have been out of -heart, but she was cheerful all through -it. Here comes Nathan now. He -never will go home by himself; he is -afraid I’ll lag behind and he’ll get a -late dinner.”</p> - -<p>“How are you today, Brother Porter?” -Hillhouse asked as they came -upon the old man under the trees, a -little way from the church.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m about as common,” was -the drawling answer. “You may -notice that I limp a little in my left leg. -Ever since I had white swellin’ I’ve -had trouble with that selfsame leg. -I wish you folks would jest stop an’ -take a peep at it. It looks to me like -the blood’s quit circulatin’ in the veins. -It went to sleep while you was a-talkin’ -this mornin’—now, I’ll swear I didn’t -mean that as a reflection.”</p> - -<p>He paused at a fallen tree, put his -foot upon it and started to roll up the -leg of his trousers, but his wife drew -him on impatiently.</p> - -<p>“I wonder what you’ll do next,” she -said reprovingly. “This is no time -and place for that. What would the -Duncans think if they was to drive by -while you was doing the like of that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_320"></a>[Pg 320]</span> -on a public road? Come on with me, -and let’s leave the young folks to themselves.”</p> - -<p>Grumblingly Porter obeyed. His -wife walked briskly and made him -keep pace with her, and they were soon -several yards ahead of the young -couple. Hillhouse was silent for several -minutes, and his smooth-shaven -face was quite serious in expression.</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid I’m going to bore you -on that same old line, Miss Cynthia,” -he said presently. “Really, I can’t -well help it. This morning I fancied -you listened attentively to what I was -saying in my sermon.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, I always do that,” the -girl returned, with an almost perceptible -shudder of her shoulders.</p> - -<p>“It helped me wonderfully, Miss -Cynthia, and once a hope actually -flashed through me so strong that I -lost my place. You may have seen -me turning the pages of the Bible. I -was trying to think where I’d left off. -The hope was this: that some day, if -I keep on begging you, and showing -my deep respect and regard you will -not turn me away. Just for one minute -this morning it seemed to me that -you had actually consented, and—and -the thought was too much for me.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, don’t speak any more about -it, Mr. Hillhouse,” Cynthia pleaded, -giving him a full look from her wonderful -brown eyes. “I have already -said all I can to you.”</p> - -<p>“But I’ve known many of the happiest -marriages to finally result from -nothing but the sheer persistence of -the man concerned, and when I think -of <i>that</i>—and when I think of the chance -of losing you, it nearly drives me crazy. -I can’t help feeling that way. You -are simply all I care for on earth. Do -you remember when I first met you? -It was at Hattie Mayfield’s party, just -after I got this appointment; we sat -on the porch alone and talked. I -reckon it was merely your respect for -my calling that made you so attentive, -but I went home that night out of my -head with admiration. Then I saw -that Frank Miller was going with you -everywhere, and that people thought -you were engaged, and, as I did not -admire his moral character, I was very -miserable in secret. Then I saw that -he stopped, and I got it from a reliable -source that you had refused him because -you did not want to marry such -a man, and my hopes and admiration -climbed still higher. You had proved -that you were the kind of a woman for -a preacher’s wife—the kind of woman -I’ve always dreamed of having as my -companion in life.”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t love him, that was all,” -Cynthia said calmly. “It would not -have been fair to him or myself to have -received his constant attentions.”</p> - -<p>“But now I am down in the dregs -again, Miss Cynthia.” Hillhouse gave -a sigh. It was almost a groan.</p> - -<p>She glanced at him once and then -lowered her eyes half fearfully. And, -getting his breath rapidly, the preacher -bent more closely over her shoulder, as -if to catch some reply from her lips. -She made none.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’m in the dregs again—miserable, -afraid, jealous! You know why, -Miss Cynthia. You know that any -lover would be concerned to see the -girl upon whom he had based his every -hope going often with Nelson Floyd. -Of all men, he——”</p> - -<p>“Stop!” The girl paused, turned -upon him suddenly and gazed at him -steadily. “If you have anything to -say about him don’t say it to me. -He’s my friend, and I will not listen to -anything against those I like.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not going to criticize him.” -Hillhouse bit his white, unsteady lip. -“A man’s a fool who tries to win by -running down his rival. The way to -run a man up in a woman’s eyes is to -openly run him down. Men are strong -enough to bear such things, but women -shelter them like they do their -babies. No, I wasn’t going to run -him down, but I am afraid of him. -When you go out driving with him, -I——”</p> - -<p>Again Cynthia turned upon him and -looked at him steadily, her eyes flashing. -“Don’t go too far; you might regret -it,” she said. “It is an insult to -be spoken to as you are speaking to me.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_321"></a>[Pg 321]</span></p> - -<p>“Oh, don’t, don’t! You misunderstand -me,” protested the bewildered -lover. “I—I am not afraid, you understand, -of course, I’m not afraid you -will not be able to—to take care of -yourself, but he has so many qualities -that win and attract women that—Oh, -I’m jealous, Miss Cynthia, that’s the -whole thing in a nutshell! He has the -reputation of being a great favorite -with all women, and now that he seems -to admire you more than any of the -rest——”</p> - -<p>The girl raised her eyes from the -ground; a touch of color rose to her -cheeks. “He doesn’t admire me more -than the others,” she said tentatively. -“You are mistaken, Mr. Hillhouse.”</p> - -<p>He failed to note her rising color, the -subtle eagerness oozing from her compact -self-control.</p> - -<p>“No, I’m not blind,” he went on, -blindly building up his rival’s cause. -“He admires you extravagantly—he -couldn’t help it. You are beautiful, -you have vivacity, womanly strength -and a thousand other qualities that are -rare in this section. Right here I want -to tell you something. I know you -will laugh, for you don’t seem to care -for such things, but you know Colonel -Price is quite an expert on genealogical -matters. He’s made a great study of -it, and his chief hobby is that many of -these sturdy mountain people are the -descendants of fine old English families, -from younger sons, you know, who settled -first in Virginia and North Carolina, -and then drifted into this part of -Georgia. He didn’t know of my admiration -for you, but one day at the -meeting of the Confederate Veterans at -Springtown he saw you on the platform -with the other ladies and he said: -‘I’ll tell you, Hillhouse, right there is a -living proof of what I have always -argued. That daughter of Nathan -Porter’s has a face that is as patrician -as any woman of English royal birth. -I understand,’ the Colonel went on, -‘that her mother was a Radcliff, which -is one of the best and most historic of -the Virginia families, and Porter, as -rough as he is, comes from good old -English stock.’ Do you wonder, Cynthia, -that I agree with him? There -really is good blood in you. Your -grandmother is one of the most refined -and elegant old ladies I have ever met -anywhere, and I have been about a -good deal.”</p> - -<p>“I am not sure that Colonel Price is -right,” the girl said. “I’ve heard -something of that kind before. I -think Colonel Price had an article in -one of the Atlanta papers about it, -with a list of old family names. My -father knows little or nothing about -his ancestry, but my grandmother has -always said her forefathers were -wealthy people. She remembers her -grandmother as being a fine old lady, -who, poor as she was, tried to make her -and the other children wear their bonnets -and gloves in the sun to keep their -complexions white. But I don’t like -to discuss that sort of thing, Mr. Hillhouse. -It won’t do in America. I -think we are what we make ourselves, -not what others made of themselves. -One is individuality, the other imitation.”</p> - -<p>The young man laughed. “That’s -all very fine,” he said, “when it was -your forefathers who made it possible -for you to have the mental capacity for -the very opinion you have expressed. -At any rate, there is a little comfort in -your view, for if you were to pride -yourself on Price’s theories, as many a -woman would, you would look higher -than a poor preacher with such an untraceable -name as mine. And you -know, ordinary as it is, you have simply -got to wear it sooner or later.”</p> - -<p>“You must not mention that again,” -Cynthia said firmly. “I tell you, I am -not good enough for a minister’s wife. -There is a streak of worldliness in me -that I shall never overcome.”</p> - -<p>“That cuts me like a knife,” said -Hillhouse. “It cuts because it reminds -me of something I once heard -Pole Baker say in a group at the post-office. -He said that women simply do -not like what is known as a ‘goody-goody’ -man. Sometimes as coarse a -man as Pole hits the nail of truth on -the head, while a better educated man -would miss and mash his thumb. But<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_322"></a>[Pg 322]</span> -if I am in the pulpit, I’m only human. -It seemed to me the other day when I -saw you and Nelson Floyd driving along -up the mountain that the very fires of -hell itself raged inside of me. I always -hold family prayer at home for the -benefit of my mother and sister, but -that night I cut it out and lay on the bed -rolling and tossing like a crazy man. -He’s handsome, Miss Cynthia, and he -has a soft voice and a way of making -all women sympathize with him—why -they do it I don’t know. It’s true he’s -had a most miserable childhood, but -he is making money hand over hand -now and has everything in his favor.”</p> - -<p>“He’s not a happy man, Mr. Hillhouse, -in spite of his success. Anyone -who knows him can see that.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I suppose he broods over the -mystery that hangs over his childhood,” -said the preacher. “That’s -only natural for an ambitious man. I -once knew a fellow like that, and he -told me he never intended to get -married on that account. He was -morbidly sensitive about it, but it is -different with Floyd. He does know -his name, and he will, no doubt, discover -his relatives some day. But -it hurts me to see you with him so -much.”</p> - -<p>“Why, he goes with other girls,” -Cynthia said, her lips set together -tightly, her face averted.</p> - -<p>“And perhaps you know, Miss -Cynthia, that people talk about some -of the girls he has been with.”</p> - -<p>“I know,” said the girl, looking at -him with an absent glance. “There is -no use going over that. I hear nothing -all day long at home except that—that—that! -Oh, sometimes I wish I -were dead!”</p> - -<p>“Ah, that hurts worse than anything -you have ever said!” declared -the minister in a tone of pain as he -stroked his thin face with an unsteady -hand. “Why should a beautiful, pure, -human flower like you be made unhappy -because of contact with a -human weed——?”</p> - -<p>“Stop, I tell you! Stop!” The girl -stared at him with flashing eyes. “I -am not going to have you talk to me as -if I were a child. I know him as well -as you do. You preach all day long -that a person ought to be forgiven of -his sins, and yet you want to load some -of them down with theirs—that is, -when it suits you. He has as good a -right to—to—to reform as anyone, -and I, myself, have heard you say that -the vilest sin often purifies and lifts -one up. Don’t get warped all to one -side. I shall not respect your views -any more if you do.”</p> - -<p>Hillhouse was white in the face and -trembling helplessly.</p> - -<p>“You are tying me hand and foot,” -he said, with a groan. “If I ever had a -chance to gain my desires, I am killing -them, but God knows I can’t help it. -I am fighting for my life.”</p> - -<p>“And behind another’s back,” -added the girl firmly. “You’ve got -to be fair to him! As for myself, -I don’t believe half the things that the -busybodies have said about him. Let -me tell you something.”</p> - -<p>They had come to a little brook -which they had to cross on brown, -almost submerged stepping-stones, and -she paused, laying her small hand on -his arm, and said portentously: “Nelson -Floyd has been alone with me several -times and has never yet told me -that he loved me.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not going to say what is in my -mind,” Hillhouse said, with a cold, significant -sneer on his white lip, as he -took her hand and helped her across -the stream.</p> - -<p>“You say you won’t?” Cynthia -gave him her eyes wonderingly, almost -pleadingly.</p> - -<p>“That is, not unless you will let me -be plain with you,” Hillhouse answered; -“as plain as I’d be to my sister.”</p> - -<p>They walked on side by side in -silence, now very near her father’s -house.</p> - -<p>“You may as well finish what you -were going to say,” the girl gave in, -with a sigh of resignation tinged with a -curiosity that devoured her precaution.</p> - -<p>“Well, I was going to say that, if -what I have gathered here and there is -true, it is Nelson Floyd’s favorite<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_323"></a>[Pg 323]</span> -method to <i>look</i>, do you understand?—to -<i>look</i> love to the girls he goes with. -He has never, it seems, committed himself -by a scratch of a pen or by word of -mouth, and yet every silly woman he -has paid attention to, before he began -to go with you, has secretly sworn to -herself that she was the world and all to -him.”</p> - -<p>Cynthia’s face became grave. Her -glance went down and for a moment -she seemed incapable of speech. Finally, -however, her color rose and she -laughed defiantly.</p> - -<p>“Well, here is a girl, Mr. Hillhouse, -who will not be fooled that way, and -you may rely on that. So, don’t worry -about me. I’ll take care of myself.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve no doubt you will,” said the -preacher gloomily.</p> - -<p>“Yes, you’ll see that I can,” Cynthia -declared with animation. “There’s -mother on the porch. Good gracious, -do change the subject. If she sets in -on it, I’ll not come to the table. She -likes you and hates the ground Nelson -Floyd walks on.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps that, too, will be my damnation,” -Hillhouse retorted. “I know -something about human nature. I -may see the day that I’d be glad of a -doubtful reputation.”</p> - -<p>He caught her reproachful glance at -this remark as he opened the gate for -her and followed her in. Porter sat -on the porch in the shade reading a -newspaper, and his wife stood in the -doorway.</p> - -<p>“Run in and take off your things, -Cynthia,” Mrs. Porter said, with a welcoming -smile. “Brother Hillhouse -can sit with your pa till we call dinner. -I want you to help me a little bit. -Your grandmother is lying down, and -doesn’t feel well enough to come to the -table.”</p> - -<p>When the women had gone in, and -the preacher had seated himself in a -rough, hide-bottomed chair near his -host, Porter with a chuckle reached -down to the floor and picked up a -smooth stick about twenty inches long, -to the end of which was attached a -piece of leather about three inches wide -and four inches long.</p> - -<p>“That’s an invention o’ mine,” -Porter explained proudly as he tapped -his knee with the leather. “Brother -Hillhouse, ef you was to offer me a new -five-dollar note fer this thing, an’ I -couldn’t git me another, I’d refuse -p’int-blank.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t say,” said Hillhouse, -concentrating his attention on the article -by strong effort; “what is it for?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know any other name fer it -than a ‘fly-flap,’” said Porter. “I set -here one day tryin’ to read, an’ the -flies made sech a dead set at my bald -head that it mighty nigh driv’ me -crazy. I kept fightin’ ’em with my -paper an’ knockin’ my specs off an’ -losin’ my place at sech a rate that I -got to studyin’ how to git out of the -difficulty, fer thar was a long fly spell -ahead of us. Well, I invented this -thing, an’ I give you my word it’s as -good fun as goin’ a-fishin’. I kin take -it in my hand—this way—an’ hold the -paper too, an’ the minute one o’ the -devilish things lights on my scalp I -kin give a twist o’ the wrist an’ that fly’s -done fer. You see, the leather is too -flat an’ soft to hurt <i>me</i>, an’ I never seen -a fly yit that was nimble enough to git -out from under it. But my fun is -mighty nigh over,” Porter went on. -“Flies has got sense; they profit by experience -the same as folks does. At -any rate, they seem to know thar’s a -dead-fall set on my bald spot, an’ -they’ve quit tryin’ to lay their eggs -in the root-holes <i>o’</i> my hair. Only -now and then a newcomer is foolhardy -an’ inclined to experiment. The old -customers are as scared o’ my head as -they are of a spider-web.”</p> - -<p>“That certainly is a rare device,” -said Hillhouse. “I don’t know that I -ever heard of one before.”</p> - -<p>“I reckon not,” the farmer returned -placidly. “Somebody always has to -lead out in matters of improvement. -My wife an’ daughter was dead set agin -me usin’ it at fust. They never looked -into the workin’ of it close, an’ thought -I mashed my prey on my head, but -thar never was a bigger mistake. The -flap don’t even puncture the skin, as -tender as their hides are. I know,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_324"></a>[Pg 324]</span> -beca’se they always fall flat o’ their -backs an’ kick awhile before givin’ up.”</p> - -<p>At this moment Mrs. Porter came to -the door and announced that dinner -was ready.</p> - -<h3>CHAPTER V</h3> - -<p>Pole Baker decided to give the -young people of the neighborhood a -corn-shucking. He had about fifty -bushels of the grain, which he said had -been mellowing and sweetening in the -husk all the winter, and, as the market -had advanced from sixty to seventy-five -cents, he decided to sell.</p> - -<p>Pole’s corn-shuckings were most enjoyable -festivities. Mrs. Baker usually -had some good refreshments and the -young people came from miles around. -The only drawback was that Pole seldom -had much corn to husk, and the -fun was over too soon. The evening -chosen for the present gathering was -favored with clear moonlight and -balmy weather. When Nelson Floyd -walked over, after working an hour on -his books at the store, he found a merry -group in Pole’s front yard.</p> - -<p>“Yo’re jest in time,” Pole called out -to him as he threw the frail gate open -for the guest to pass through. “I was -afeard thar was a few more petticoats -than pants to string around my pile o’ -corn, but you’ll help even up. Come -on, all of you, let’s mosey on down to -the barn. Sally,” he called out to his -wife, a sweet-faced woman on the -porch, “put them childern to sleep an’ -come on.”</p> - -<p>With merry laughter the young men -and girls made a rush in the direction -of the barn. Nelson Floyd, with a sudden -throbbing of the heart, had noticed -Cynthia Porter with the other -girls, and as he and Baker fell in behind, -he asked:</p> - -<p>“Who came with Cynthia Porter, -Pole?”</p> - -<p>“Nobody,” said Baker. “She come -over jest ’fore dark by the short cut -through the meadow. I’ll bet a hoss -you are thinkin’ o’ gallivantin’ ’er back -home.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I came for,” said -Floyd, with a smile.</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m sorry, for this once,” said -Pole, “but I cayn’t alter my plans fer -friend or foe. I don’t have but one -shuckin’ a year, an’ on that occasion -I’m a-goin’ to be plumb fair to all that -accept my invite. You may git what -you want, but you’ll have to stand -yo’r chance with the balance. I’ll announce -my rules in a minute, an’ then -you’ll understand what I mean.”</p> - -<p>They had now reached the great cone -of corn, heaped up at the door of the -barn, and the merrymakers were -dancing around it in the moonlight, -clapping their hands and singing.</p> - -<p>“Halt one minute!” Pole called out -peremptorily, and there was silence. -“Now,” he continued, “all of you set -down on the straw an’ listen to my new -rules. I’ve been studyin’ these out -ever since my last shuckin’, an’ these -will beat all. Now, listen! Time is a -great improver, an’ we-all don’t have -to shuck corn jest like our granddaddies -did. I want to make this thing -interest you, fer that pile o’ corn has to -be shucked an’ throwed into the barn -’fore you leave yo’r places.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I wouldn’t preach a sermon -fust,” laughed Mrs. Baker as she appeared -suddenly. “Boys an’ gals that -git together fer a good time don’t want -to listen to an old married man talk.”</p> - -<p>“But one married man likes to listen -to <i>that woman</i> talk, folks,” Pole broke -in, “fer her voice makes sweet music -to his ear. That’s a fact, gentlemen -an’ ladies; here’s one individual that -could set an’ listen to that sweet woman’s -patient voice from dark to sunup, -an’ then pray fer more dark an’ -more talk. I hain’t the right sort of a -man to yoke to, but she is the right sort -of a woman. They hain’t all that way, -though, boys, an’ I’d advise you that -are worthy of a good helpmeet to think -an’ look before you plunge into matrimony. -Matrimony is like ice, which, -until you bust it, may cover pure, -runnin’ water or a stagnant mud-hole. -Before marriage a woman will say yes -an’ no as meek as that entire bunch of -females. Sugar wouldn’t melt in her<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_325"></a>[Pg 325]</span> -mouth, but when she hooks her fish -she’ll do her best to make a sucker out’n -it ef it’s a brook trout at the start. I -mean a certain <i>kind</i> of a woman now, -but, thank the Lord, He made the -other sort, too, an’ the other sort, boys, -is what you ort to look fer. I heard a -desperate old bach say once that he -believed he’d stand a better chance o’ -gettin’ a good female nature under a -homely exterior than under a pretty -one, an’ he was on the rampage fer a -snaggle tooth; but I don’t know. A -nature that’s made jest by a face won’t -endure one way or another long. -Thar’s my little neighbor over thar; -ef she don’t combine both a purty face -an’ a sweet, patient nature I’m no -judge.”</p> - -<p>“Hush, Pole; Cynthia don’t want -you to single her out in public that -a-way,” protested Mrs. Baker.</p> - -<p>“He’s simply bent on flattering -more work out of me,” responded Cynthia, -quite adroitly, Floyd thought, as -he noted her blushes in the moonlight. -“We are waiting for your rules, Mr. -Baker.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” spoke up Floyd, “give us the -rules, and let us go to work, and then -you can talk all you want to.”</p> - -<p>“All right, here goes. Now, you are -all settin’ about the same distance -from the pile, an’ you’ve got an equal -chance. Now, the fust man or woman -who finds a red ear of corn must choose -a partner to work with, an’, furthermore, -it shall be the duty o’ the man to -escort the gal home, an’, in addition to -that, the winnin’ man shall be entitled -to kiss any gal in the crowd, an’ she -hereby pledges herself to submit graceful. -It’s a bang-up good rule, fer -them that want to be kissed kin take a -peep at the ear ’fore it’s shucked, an’ -throw it to any man they select, an’ -them that don’t kin hope fer escape -from sech an awful fate by blind luck.”</p> - -<p>“I think myself that it would be an -awful fate to be kissed by a man you -didn’t care for,” laughed Mrs. Baker. -“Pole has made his rules to suit the -men better than the women.”</p> - -<p>“The second rule is this,” added -Pole, with a smile, “an’ that is, that -whoever finds a red ear, man or woman, -I git to kiss my wife.”</p> - -<p>“Good, that’s all right!” exclaimed -Floyd, and everybody laughed as they -set to work. Pole sat down near -Floyd, and filled and lighted his pipe. -“I used to think everything was fair in -a game whar gals was concerned,” he -said in an undertone. “I went to a -shuckin’ once whar they had these -rules, an’ I got on to exactly what I -see you are on to.”</p> - -<p>“Me? What do you mean?” asked -Floyd.</p> - -<p>“Why, you sly old dog, you are not -shuckin’ more than one ear in every -three you pick up. You are lookin’ to -see ef the silk is dark. You have found -out that a red ear always has dark -silk.”</p> - -<p>Floyd laughed. “Don’t give me -away, Pole. I learned that when old -man Scott used to send me out on -frosty mornings to feed the cattle.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I won’t say nothin’,” Pole -promised. “Ef money was at stake, -it ’ud be different, but they say all’s fair -whar war an’ women is concerned. Besides, -the sharper a man is the better -he’ll provide fer the wife he gits, an’ a -man ought to be allowed to profit by -his own experience. You go ahead; ef -you root a red ear out o’ that pile, old -hog, I’ll count you in.”</p> - -<p>Pole rose and went round the other -side of the stack. There was a soft rustling -sound as the husks were torn away -and swept in rising billows behind the -workers, and the steady thumping -of the ears as they fell inside the barn.</p> - -<p>There was a lull in the merriment and -general rustle, and Floyd heard Hattie -Mayhew’s clear voice say: “I know -why Cynthia is so quiet. It’s because -there wasn’t somebody here to open -with prayer.”</p> - -<p>Floyd was watching Cynthia’s face, -and he saw it cloud over for a moment. -She made some forced reply which he -could not hear. It was Kitty Welborn’s -voice that came to him on her -merry laugh.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes; Cynthia has us all beaten -badly!” said that little blonde. “We -wore our fingers to the bones fixing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_326"></a>[Pg 326]</span> -up his room. Cynthia didn’t lay her -hand to it, and yet he never looks at -anyone else while he is preaching, and -as soon as the sermon is over he rushes -for her. They say Mr. Porter thinks -Mr. Hillhouse is watching him, and has -quit going to sleep.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a fact,” said Fred Denslow -as he aimed a naked ear of corn at the -barn door and threw it. “The boys -say Hillhouse will even let ’em cuss in -his presence, just so they will listen to -what he says about Miss Cynthia.”</p> - -<p>“That isn’t fair to Miss Cynthia,” -Nelson Floyd observed suddenly. -“I’m afraid you are making it too hot -for her over on that side, so I’m going -to invite her over here. You see, I have -found the first red ear of corn, and it’s -big enough to count double.”</p> - -<p>There was a general shout and clapping -of hands as he held it up to view -in the moonlight. He put it into the -pocket of his coat as he rose and moved -round toward Cynthia. Bending down -to her, he said: “Come on; you’ve got -to obey the rules of the game, you -know.”</p> - -<p>She allowed him to draw her to her -feet.</p> - -<p>“Now fer the fust act!” Pole Baker -cried out. “I hain’t a-goin’ to have -no bashful corn-shuckers. Ef you balk -or kick over a trace, I’ll leave you out -next time, shore.”</p> - -<p>“You didn’t make a thoroughly fair -rule, Pole,” said Floyd. “The days of -woman slavery are past. I shall not -take advantage of the situation.”</p> - -<p>Everybody laughed as Floyd led her -round to his place and raked up a pile -of shucks for her to sit on.</p> - -<p>“Well, there ought to have been -another rule,” laughed Fred Denslow, -“an’ that to the effect that if the winning -man, through sickness, lack of -backbone or sudden death, is prevented -from takin’ the prize, somebody else -ought to have a chance. Here I’ve -been workin’ like a cornfield nigger to -win, and now see the feller heaven has -smiled on throwin’ that sort of a flower -away. Good gracious, what’s the -world comin’ to?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ll have <i>mine</i>,” Pole Baker -was heard to say, and he took his little -wife in his arms and kissed her tenderly.</p> - -<h3>CHAPTER VI</h3> - -<p>Refreshments had been served, -the last ear of corn was husked and -thrown into the barn, and they had all -risen to depart, when Hillhouse came -down the path from the cottage. He -was panting audibly, and had evidently -been walking fast. He shook hands -hurriedly with Pole and his wife, and -then turned to Cynthia.</p> - -<p>“I’m just from your house,” he said, -“and I promised your mother to come -over after you. I was afraid I’d be -late. The distance never seemed so -long before.”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid you <i>are</i> too late,” said -Floyd, with a cold smile. “I was -lucky enough to find the first red ear of -corn, and the reward was that I might -take home anyone I asked. I assure -you I’ll see that Miss Cynthia is well -taken care of.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! I—I see.” The preacher -seemed stunned by the disappointment. -“I didn’t know; I thought——”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Floyd has won fast enough,” -said Pole, “an’ he’s acted the part of -the gentleman all through.” Pole explained -what Floyd had done in excusing -Cynthia from the principal forfeit -he had won.</p> - -<p>Hillhouse seemed unable to reply. -The young people were moving toward -the house, and he fell behind Floyd and -his partner, walking along with the -others and saying nothing.</p> - -<p>It was a lonely, shaded road which -Floyd and Cynthia traversed to reach -her house.</p> - -<p>“My luck turned just in the nick of -time,” Floyd said exultantly. “I went -there, little girl, especially to talk with -you, and I was mad enough to fight -when I saw how Pole had arranged -everything. Then by good fortune -and cheating I found that red ear; -and—well, here we are. I never wanted -to see anyone so badly in my life. -Really, I——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_327"></a>[Pg 327]</span></p> - -<p>“Stop, don’t begin that!” Cynthia -suddenly commanded, and she turned -her eyes upon him steadily.</p> - -<p>“Stop? Why do you say that?”</p> - -<p>“Because,” retorted she, “you talk -that way to all the girls, and I don’t -want to hear it.”</p> - -<p>Floyd laughed. “You know I mean -what I say,” he replied. “You know -it; you are just talking to hear your -sweet, musical voice. Keep on; I could -listen all night.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m sure I don’t like you -when you speak that way,” the girl -said seriously. “It sounds insincere—it -makes me doubt you more than -anything else.”</p> - -<p>“Then some things about me don’t -make you doubt me,” he said, with tentative -eagerness.</p> - -<p>She was silent for a moment, then she -nodded her head. “I’ll admit that -some things I hear of you make me -admire you—that is, in a way.”</p> - -<p>“Please tell me what they are,” he -said, with a laugh.</p> - -<p>“I’ve heard, for one thing, of your -being very good and kind to poor people—people -that Mr. Mayhew would -have turned out of their homes for -debt if you hadn’t interfered.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, that was only business, little -girl,” Floyd laughed. “I can simply -see farther than the old man can. He -thought they never would be able to -pay, but I knew they would some day, -and, also, that they would come up with -the back interest.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe it!” the girl said -firmly. “Those things make me rather -like you, while the others make me—they -make me—afraid.”</p> - -<p>“Afraid? Oh, how absurd—how -very absurd!” They had reached a -spring which flowed from a great bed of -rocks in the side of a rugged hill. He -pointed to a flat stone quite near it. -“Do you remember the first time I -ever had a talk with you? It was -while we were seated on this rock.”</p> - -<p>She recalled it, but only nodded her -head.</p> - -<p>“It was a year ago,” he went on. -“You had on a pink dress and wore -your hair like a little girl, in a plait -down your back. Cynthia, you were -the prettiest creature I had ever seen. -I could hardly talk to you for wondering -over your dazzling beauty. You -are even more beautiful now; you have -ripened physically and mentally—grown -to be a wonderful woman.”</p> - -<p>He sat down on the stone, still holding -to her hand, and drawing her toward -him.</p> - -<p>She hesitated, looking back toward -Baker’s cottage.</p> - -<p>“Sit down, little girl,” he entreated -her. “I’m tired. I’ve worked hard -all day at the store, and that corn-shucking -wasn’t the best thing to taper -off on.”</p> - -<p>She hesitated an instant longer, and -then allowed him to draw her down -beside him.</p> - -<p>“There, now,” he said, “that’s more -like it.” He still held her hand; it lay -warm, pulsating and helpless in his -strong grasp.</p> - -<p>“Do you know why I did not kiss -you back there?” he asked suddenly.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know why you didn’t, but -it was good of you,” she answered.</p> - -<p>“No, it wasn’t,” he laughed. “I -don’t want credit for what I don’t deserve. -I simply put it off, little girl—I -put it off. I knew we would be -alone on our way home, and that you -would not refuse me.”</p> - -<p>“But I shall!” she said. “I’m not -going to let you kiss me here in—in—this -way.”</p> - -<p>“Then you’ll not be keeping your -part of the contract,” he said, tightening -his grasp on her hand. “I’ve always -considered you so fair in everything; -and, Cynthia, you don’t know -how much I want to kiss you. No, -you won’t refuse me—you can’t!” -His left arm was behind her, and it encircled -her waist. She made an effort -to draw herself erect, but he drew her -closer to him. Her head sank upon -his shoulder and lay there while he -pressed his lips to hers.</p> - -<p>Then she sat up, and firmly pushed -his arm down from her waist.</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry I let you do it,” she said, -under her breath.</p> - -<p>“But why, darling?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_328"></a>[Pg 328]</span></p> - -<p>“Because I’ve said a thousand times -that I would not; but I have—I <i>have</i>, -and I shall hate myself always.”</p> - -<p>“When you have made me the happiest -fellow in the state?” Floyd said. -“Don’t go!” he urged.</p> - -<p>She had risen and turned toward her -home. He walked beside her, suiting -his step to hers.</p> - -<p>“Do you remember the night we sat -and talked in the grape-arbor at your -house?” he asked. “Well, you never -knew it, but I’ve been there three -nights within the last month, hoping -that I’d get to see you by some chance -or other. I always work late on my -accounts, and when I am through and -the weather is fine, I walk to your -house, climb over the fence, slip -through the orchard, and sit in that -arbor, trying to imagine you are there -with me. I often see a light in your -room, and the last time I became so -desperate that I actually whistled for -you. This way.” He put his thumb -and little finger between his lips and -made an imitation of a whippoorwill’s -call. “You see, no one could tell that -from the real thing. If you ever hear -that sound from the grape-arbor, you’ll -know I need you, little girl, and you -must not disappoint me.”</p> - -<p>“I’d never respond to it,” Cynthia -said firmly. “The idea of such a -thing!”</p> - -<p>“But you know I can’t go to your -house often, with your mother opposing -my visits as she does, and when I’m -there she never leaves us alone. No, -I must have you to myself once in -awhile, little woman, and you must -help me. Remember, if I call you, I’ll -want you badly.”</p> - -<p>He whistled again, and the echo came -back on the still air from a nearby hillside. -They were passing a log cabin -which stood a few yards from the roadside.</p> - -<p>“Budd Crow moved there today,” -Cynthia said, as if desirous of changing -the subject. “He rented twenty acres -from my father. The White Caps -whipped him a week ago, for being lazy -and not working for his family. His -wife came over and told me all about it. -She said it really had brought him to -his senses, but that it had broken her -heart. She cried while she was talking -to me. Why does God afflict some -women with men of that kind, and -make others the wives of governors and -Presidents?”</p> - -<p>“Ah, there you are beyond my philosophic -depth, Cynthia! You mustn’t -bother your pretty head about those -things. I sometimes rail against my -fate for giving me the ambition of a -king, while I do not even know who—But -I think you know what I mean!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I think I do,” said the girl -sympathetically, “and some day I believe -all that will be cleared up. Some -coarse natures wouldn’t care a straw -about it, but you <i>do</i> care, and it is the -things we want and can’t get that -count.”</p> - -<p>“It is strange,” he said thoughtfully, -“but of late I always think of my -mother as being young and beautiful. -I think of her, too, as being well-bred -and educated. I think all those things -without any proof even as to what her -maiden name was or where she came -from—Are you still unhappy at -home, Cynthia?”</p> - -<p>“Nearly all the time,” the girl sighed. -“As she grows older my mother seems -more faultfinding and suspicious than -ever. Then she has set her mind on -my marrying Mr. Hillhouse. They -seem to be working together to that -end, and it is very tiresome to me.”</p> - -<p>“I’m glad you don’t love him,” -Floyd said. “I don’t think he could -make anyone of your nature happy.”</p> - -<p>The girl stared into his eyes. They -had reached the gate of the farmhouse, -and he opened it for her.</p> - -<p>“Now, good night,” he said, pressing -her hand. “Remember, if you ever -hear a lonely whippoorwill calling, -that he is longing for companionship.”</p> - -<p>She leaned over the gate, drawing it -toward her till the latch clicked in its -catch. She was thinking of the hot -kiss he had pressed upon her lips, and -what he might later think about it.</p> - -<p>“I’ll never meet you there at night,” -she said firmly. “My mother does not -treat me right, but I shall not do that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_329"></a>[Pg 329]</span> -when she is asleep. You may come to -see me here once in awhile if you -wish.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I shall sit alone in the arbor,” -he returned, with a low laugh, “and I -hope your hard heart will keep you -awake.”</p> - -<p>She opened the front door, which -was never locked, and went into her -room on the right of the little hall. -The night was very still, and down the -road she heard Floyd’s whippoorwill -call growing fainter and fainter as he -strode away. She found a match and -lighted the lamp on her bureau, and -looked at her reflection in the little -oval-shaped mirror. Instinctively she -shuddered and brushed her lips with -her hand as she remembered his embrace.</p> - -<p>“He’ll despise me,” she muttered. -“He’ll think I am weak like all the -rest, but I am not. <i>I am not!</i> I’ll -show him that he can’t—and yet”—her -head sank to her hands, which were -folded on the top of the bureau—“I -couldn’t help it. My God, I couldn’t -help it! I must have wanted—no, I -didn’t. I didn’t!”</p> - -<p>There was a soft step in the hall. -The door of her room creaked like the -low scream of a cat. A figure in white -stood on the threshold. It was Mrs. -Porter in her nightdress, her feet bare, -her iron-gray half-twisted hair hanging -upon her shoulders.</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t go to sleep, Cynthia,” -she said, “till I knew you were safe at -home.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m here all right, mother; so -go back to bed, and don’t catch your -death of cold.”</p> - -<p>The old woman moved across the -room to Cynthia’s bed and sat down on -it. “I heard you coming down the -road and went to the front window. -I had sent Brother Hillhouse for you, -but it was Nelson Floyd who brought -you home. Didn’t Brother Hillhouse -get there before you left?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I had already promised -Mr. Floyd.”</p> - -<p>The old woman met her daughter’s -glance steadily. “I suppose all I’ll -do or say won’t amount to anything. -Cynthia, you know what I’m afraid -of.”</p> - -<p>Cynthia stood straight, her face set -and white, her great dreamy eyes flashing.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and that’s the insult of it, -mother. I tell you, you will drive me -too far. A girl at a certain time of her -life wants a mother’s love and sympathy; -she doesn’t want threats, fears -and disgraceful suspicions.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Porter covered her face with -her bony hands and groaned aloud.</p> - -<p>“You are confessing,” she said, “that -you are tied an’ bound to him by the -heart, and that there isn’t anything -left for you but the crumbs he lets fall -from his profligate table.”</p> - -<p>“Stop!” Cynthia sprang to her -mother and laid her small hand heavily -on the thin shoulder. “Stop! You -know you are telling a deliberate—” -She paused, turned and went slowly -back to the bureau. “God forgive me! -God help me remember my duty to you -as my mother. You’re old; you’re out -of your head!”</p> - -<p>“There, you said something.” The -old woman had drawn herself erect -and sat staring at her daughter, her -hands on her sharp knees. “You -know my sister Martha got to worryin’ -when she was along about my age over -her lawsuit matters, and kept it up -till her brain gave way. Folks always -said she and I were alike. Dr. Strong -has told me time after time to guard -against worry, or I’d go out and kill myself -as she did. I haven’t mentioned -this before, but I will now. I can’t -keep down my fears and suspicions -while the very air is full of that man’s -doings. He’s a devil. Your pretty -face has caught his fancy, and your -holding him off, so far, has made him -determined to crush you like a plucked -flower. Why don’t he go to the Duncans, -and the Prices, and lay his plans? -Because the men of those families -shoot at the drop of the hat. He -knows your pa is not of that stamp, -and that you haven’t any men kin -to defend our honor. He hasn’t any -of his own; nobody knows who or what -he is.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_330"></a>[Pg 330]</span></p> - -<p>“Mother!” Cynthia’s tone had softened. -Her face was filling with sudden -pity for the quivering creature on -the bed. “Mother, will you not have -confidence in me? If I promise you -faithfully to take care of myself with -him, and make him understand what -and who I am, won’t that satisfy you? -Even men with bad reputations have a -good side to their natures, and they -often reach a point at which they reform. -I well know there are strong -women and weak women. Mother, -I’m not a weak woman. As God is -my judge, I’m able to take care of -myself. It pains me to say this, for -you ought to know it; you ought to -feel it, see it in my eye and hear it in -my voice. Now, go to bed and sleep. -I’m really afraid you may lose your -mind, since you told me about Aunt -Martha.”</p> - -<p>The face of the old woman changed; -it lighted up with hope.</p> - -<p>“Somehow, I believe what you say,” -she said, with a faint smile. “Anyway, -I’ll try not to worry any more.” She -rose and went to the door. “Yes, I’ll -try not to worry any more,” she repeated. -“It may all come out right.”</p> - -<p>When she found herself alone Cynthia -turned and looked at her reflection -in the glass.</p> - -<p>“He didn’t once tell me in so many -words that he loved me,” she said. -“He has never used that word. He -has never said that he wanted to -mar—” She broke off, staring into the -depths of her own great, troubled eyes. -“And yet I let him kiss me—<i>me</i>!” -A hot flush filled her neck and face -and spread to the roots of her hair. -Then suddenly she blew out the light -and crept to her bed.</p> - -<p class="center">(<i>To be continued.</i>)</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="The_Conservative_of_Today" id="The_Conservative_of_Today"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>The Conservative of Today</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY JOHN H. GIRDNER, M.D.</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">EVER since we have had a record -of the human race it has been -divided into two parties, the -<i>conservative</i> and the <i>radical</i>. These -two parties have ever battled with each -other for possession of the world. -Strictly speaking, all history—sacred -and profane—is nothing else than a -record of this world-old struggle.</p> - -<p>“That which <i>is</i>, was made by God,” -cries the conservative.</p> - -<p>“God is leaving <i>that</i> and is entering -<i>this other</i>,” replies the radical.</p> - -<p>These have been the battle-cries of -mankind all down the ages. The conservative -has always been the stand-patter. -He has been always on the -defensive, explaining, apologizing, opposing -and pleading that change would -result in deterioration. The conservative -must bear the vice, the sins and -crimes of the society of his time, and, -bending under the load, piteously -pleads for delay, for compromise. He -preaches the pusillanimous doctrine of -“let us bear the evils we already have -rather than fly to those we know not -of.” Conservatism never made an invention, -wrote a poem, painted a picture -nor breathed a prayer that rose -above the roof.</p> - -<p>Pharaoh, King of Egypt, was a conservative. -He stood pat on keeping -the Hebrew nation in slavery, against -the radicalism of Moses. The Roman -empire was conservative. It stood pat -on its pagan worship, against the radicalism -of the new religion. The scientific -world stood pat on the then -accepted doctrine that the “sun do -move,” against the radicalism of Galileo -that it is the earth that does the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_331"></a>[Pg 331]</span> -moving. King George was a conservative. -He stood pat on America’s remaining -a British colony, against the radicalism -of Washington and the Continental -Congress. The French King, -Louis XVI, was a conservative, and -stood pat against the radicalism of the -people of France when they demanded -liberty and bread. The Czar of Russia -and his titled aristocracy are conservatives. -They are standing pat -against progress, enlightenment and -justice among the masses of the people -of that unhappy country. But it is -about the conservatives of our own -country that I want to write. I want -to say a word about our own stand-patters.</p> - -<p>Webster’s Dictionary says that a -<i>conservative</i> is, “One who desires to -maintain existing institutions and customs.” -A conservative in the United -States today, then, is a man who wants -the Beef Trust to continue to force the -farmer to accept its price for his cattle, -and the consumer to pay its price for -dressed beef. A conservative is a man -who wants the railroads to continue -giving rebates to favored shippers, and -to hold them from unfavored shippers. -A conservative is a man who wants -the United States Senate to continue -to be composed of men who do not -represent the masses of the people of -their respective states, but who represent -the corporations. For instance, -a conservative in New York State is -a man who wants Chauncey M. Depew -and Thomas C. Platt to continue in the -United States Senate.</p> - -<p>Depew represents the Vanderbilt -system of railroads, while Platt represents -the United States Express Company. -The two will oppose any legislation -which interferes with the income -of their corporations, never mind -what the people of the state or nation -want. The people have for years -wanted a parcels post in this country. -England and other countries have -it, but we cannot. Why? Because -Platt is in the Senate, and also in -the parcel-carrying business. You, -Mr. Conservative, put him in the Senate -and you keep him there.</p> - -<p>We have what is called a protective -tariff in this country. It is a law -which, in the name of <i>protecting</i> the -workingman, <i>robs</i> him and every other -consumer. If you are a conservative, -you are in favor of maintaining this -law.</p> - -<p>The tariff schedule was drawn up by -a committee of Congress <i>behind closed -doors</i>. That is, the doors were closed -on those who have to <i>pay</i> the tariff, -but open to those who were to be <i>benefited</i> -by it. The committee sent for the -manufacturers of the various necessary -articles which people use, and -asked <i>them</i> how much of a tax <i>they -wanted</i> on similar articles made abroad. -And the manufacturers wrote these -schedules for the committee, and they -were adopted. Notice, the consumers, -the people who have to pay the tariff, -were not invited to appear before this -committee. Only the manufacturers, -who are the beneficiaries, were taken -into counsel.</p> - -<p>If you are a conservative—that is, if -you are a stand-patter, you are in -favor of continuing and “maintaining” -this “mother of trusts.”</p> - -<p>Sometimes laboring-men become dissatisfied -with their wages, or the number -of hours they are made to work, -and they exercise their God-given right -to cease work, or go on strike. Then -the corporations rush to the courts -and secure injunctions, restraining the -strikers from doing all sorts of things. -In some instances these injunctions are -obtained and served on the strikers -before any of the acts from which the -injunctions restrain them have been -committed or attempted. Special deputy -sheriffs and Pinkerton men are -hurried to the scene of the strike. The -state militia is ordered out, and in one -instance Federal troops were sent to -Chicago. At Homestead the hired -deputy-sheriff-Cossacks shot down -peaceable workmen, just as real Cossacks -shot down the peaceable workmen -who marched with Father Gapon -in the streets of St. Petersburg -recently—and for no better reason. -Martial law has been declared, court-martial -has been substituted for trial<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_332"></a>[Pg 332]</span> -by jury. The right of habeas corpus has -been suspended. Members of labor -unions have been thrown into prison -without trial; others have been torn -from their homes and deported to other -states without process of law, and bull -pens established for guarding prisoners. -These things have been happening -in the United States for years. In -each instance it was claimed that such -arbitrary measures were necessary to -preserve order, keep the peace, protect -the property of the corporations, and -to enforce the injunctions issued by -the courts—<i>when these injunctions were -directed against the laboring or producing -class</i>. Now see how differently -things work when a corporation is at -the dangerous end of an injunction -gun.</p> - -<p>The United States Federal Court, -through Judge Grosscup, of Chicago, -issued on February 18, 1903, an injunction -restraining the Beef Trust from -continuing to do certain things. The -Beef Trust paid <i>no</i> attention to this -injunction. It went right on doing -these same things, just as if Judge -Grosscup had not issued his injunction. -It went right on despoiling the bank -accounts of the consumers of beef and -the raisers of cattle. No special deputy -sheriffs were sworn in, no state -militia was ordered out, no Federal -troops were sent to Chicago or anywhere -else to enforce obedience to <i>this</i> -injunction. Armour, Swift and Morris, -the men said to be at the head of the -Beef Trust, were not arrested. No bull -pen was established. Nobody was deported.</p> - -<p>This is the existing custom of enforcing -and <i>not</i> enforcing Federal Court -injunctions. Now if you are a conservative, -you are, according to Webster, -one who desires to “maintain” -this custom.</p> - -<p>At the present time the lighting corporation, -the railroad corporation, the -telephone corporation and the city or -municipal corporation are all exploiting -the people of New York City as -they have never been exploited before.</p> - -<p>Never in the history of New York -have its public servants been so absolutely -and completely <i>owned</i> by so-called -public service corporations as at -present. These corporations have literally -taken over the people’s municipal -corporation, merged it with their -own and impressed their management -upon it. For instance, Dr. Darlington, -President of the Health Department, -goes to Washington to urge Congress -to pass a law to destroy dirty money, -because it is a means of conveying -disease germs. But he does not destroy -or clean the filthy disease-bearing -car straps in New York. Why? -Because August Belmont and H. H. -Vreeland won’t let him. Darlington -is in the position of the Irishman who -would free Ireland but for the police. -The people want the signs, slot machines, -etc., put out of their Subway -stations, but they can’t get it -done. Why? Because the Interborough -Corporation is stronger than the -municipal corporation. The people’s -public servants in New York City have -become the servants of the public service -corporations.</p> - -<p>It does seem that even men who -call themselves conservatives in New -York would rise up next fall and stamp -the life out of this condition.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="f120"><i>Casus Belli</i></p> - -<p class="drop-cap">“NOW, the trusts—” began the patent-churn man, addressing the washing-machine -agent. “The trusts, let me tell you, are——”</p> - -<p>“Here, now, gentlemen!” remonstrated the landlord of the tavern at Polkville, -Ark. “That’s what the fight here yesterday started about; and it’s goin’ -to cost me three or four dollars for new window glass, alone!”</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_333"></a>[Pg 333]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="A_Character_Study_of_Byron_and_Burns" id="A_Character_Study_of_Byron_and_Burns"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>A Character Study of Byron and Burns</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY ELIZABETH BAILEY TRAYLOR</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THESE names are live wires in the -lands of the Scotch heather and -the English rose, and equally so -here by the red hearts of the watermelons -and the snow showers of the -cotton-fields of the Southern States. -One often hears it said of those devoted -brotherhoods—the Burns Clubs -and the Scotch Societies—“Their Bible -is Robbie Burns.” Frank Stanton has -a large hearing when he sings:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">We’ll slip away from our today</span> - <span class="i2">Of wonder and of worry,</span> - <span class="i0">To where, in meadows of the may,</span> - <span class="i2">He whistled “Annie Laurie.”</span> - <span class="i0">To meet him in some gabled inn,</span> - <span class="i2">And pass the rare decanter,</span> - <span class="i0">Or in some ingle nook begin</span> - <span class="i2">A race with “Tam o’Shanter.”</span> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>To a large coterie of kindred spirits -the name of Byron evokes a pageant -of ideas pulsating with life’s strongest -emotions. It is told of a pleasure club -that they recently abandoned the books -of the day and read the poet exhaustively -and with great enthusiasm—no -slight tribute to his genius in a time -of unremitting demand for that which -is palpitant with the breath of today’s -life. A learned minister from -his pulpit says: “‘The Destruction of -Sennacherib’ is a marvel of diction -and technique, and no divine has approached -the narrative in its exact -correspondence to Holy Writ.”</p> - -<p>A bare sketch of these two philosophers -may suggest to book-lovers in -general the particular period of the -culture-epochs dominating each career, -and discover some of the forces -of heredity and environment which -produced these characters, vibrant -with full, fresh, free life, or reveal to -readers equipped by psychical research -for judgment how it was that these -natures furnished the battleground for -so fierce a conflict of good and evil -forces.</p> - -<p>According to Carlyle, the father of -Burns was a “man of thoughtful, -intense character, possessing some -knowledge and open-minded for more, -of keen insight and devout heart, -friendly and fearless; a fully unfolded -man seldom found in any rank of -society.” Of his ancestry we know -nothing. The father of Byron was an -Englishman, from a line of illustrious -ancestors reaching back to the days -of William the Conqueror.</p> - -<p>The mother of Burns, devout of heart -and calm of mind, brightened the lives -of her children with the ballads of her -beloved Scotland. The mother of Byron -would smother him with kisses one -moment, and the next call him a lame -brat.</p> - -<p>Both poets spent their early youth -in Scotland, where the record of their -school days is still preserved in their -respective parishes. Burns read with -equal avidity Taylor’s devotional -works, Locke, Pope, Milton, Thomson -and Young. He never minded -work, if knowledge was the reward. -Byron was devoted to the reading of -history and poetry, and was at the -head of many college rows. When, in -conformity to the custom of the school, -the order was so inverted as to make -the boy of highest rank change places -with the lowest, the teacher would call -out to Byron: “Now, George, let us see -how quick you will be foot again.”</p> - -<p>Each had a favorite family servant. -Byron wrote often to his old nurse of -his triumphs in London. Burns says -many of his songs were inspired by an -old servant, Jenny Wilson, as she repeated -her endless collection of songs<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_334"></a>[Pg 334]</span> -and stories of devils, ghosts, fairies, -witches, warlocks, kelpies, elf-candles -and enchanted dragons.</p> - -<p>Lady Blessington wrote of Byron’s -appearance: “He is not tall, as I had -fancied him. His appearance is, however, -highly prepossessing; his head is -finely shaped and the forehead open, -high and noble, his eyes are gray and -full of expression, his mouth is the -most remarkable feature, the upper lip -of Grecian shortness and the corners -descending, the lips full and finely cut. -In speaking, he shows his teeth very -much, and they are white and even, -but I observed that even in his smile—he -smiles frequently—there is something -of a scornful expression that is -evidently natural. His countenance is -full of expression and changes with the -subject of conversation; it gains on the -beholder the more it is seen, and leaves -an agreeable impression. His voice -and accent are peculiarly agreeable, -clear, harmonious and so distinct that, -though his general tone in speaking is -rather low than high, not a word is -lost.”</p> - -<p>Burns, tall, well formed and graceful, -was always a charming presence. -The beautiful and all-accomplished -Duchess of Gordon said that Burns -was the most fascinating guest she -ever saw entertained.</p> - -<p>Speaking of the portrait by Alexander -Nasmyth, Sir Walter Scott says: -“This is the best likeness of Burns, but -his features, as I remember them, were -still more massive and imposing than -they are represented in this picture. -There was a strong expression of -shrewdness in his lineaments, the eyes -alone indicating the poetic character -and temperament. They were large -and dark and literally glowed when he -spoke with feeling or interest. I never -saw such eyes in any other head.”</p> - -<p>Attired always in the tip of the fashion, -Byron was a drawing-room dude in -the smart set of London. The dress -of Burns was coarse and homely, made -from his own sheep, carded by his own -fire. His plaid was red and white, -woven with great pride by his mother -and sister. His home and the homes -of his friends, were low-thatched cottages, -consisting of kitchen and bedrooms, -with floors of kneaded clay.</p> - -<p>If the former set a fashion for collars -which lasts to this good day, the latter -has left us the Tam-o’-Shanter hat.</p> - -<p>Burns was essentially musical, having -begun his career by setting music -to the verses of another.</p> - -<p>Byron, in a luxurious salon, wooed -and won a woman of fashion. Burns -gives this account of his courtship with -Highland Mary,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">Who was snatched away in beauty’s bloom:</span> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>“We plighted our troth on the Sabbath -to make it more sacred, seated -by a running brook, that Nature might -be a witness, over an open Bible, to -show we remembered God in the compact.”</p> - -<p>After a second edition of “Poems by -an Ayrshire Plowman,” Burns spent -the winter in Edinburgh, where he was -the lion of the elegant coteries of the -city.</p> - -<p>Lords, ladies, men of letters, all with -manners highly polished by attrition, -found in him a barbarian who was not -barbarous. As the poet met in at least -one lord feelings as natural as those -of a plowman, so they met in a plowman -manners worthy of a lord.</p> - -<p>Dugald Stewart writes: “His manner -was easy and unperplexed; his address -was perfectly well-bred and elegant -in its simplicity; he felt neither -eclipsed by the titled nor embarrassed -before the learned and eloquent, but -took his station with the ease of one -born to it.”</p> - -<p>Each poet had a brief political career. -As exciseman for several years it was -necessary for Burns to ride over two -hundred miles per week, thus coming -constantly in contact with the people. -In this public service he made a record -for being thorough, correct and at -the same time humane.</p> - -<p>Byron made as serious an effort in -politics as was possible to his impetuous -and headlong nature. After many -hindrances he was granted a seat in the -House of Lords. He traveled awhile, -and, returning, made two or three<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_335"></a>[Pg 335]</span> -speeches before the House. Between -times he would correct the proof-sheets -of “Childe Harold.” The publication -of this poem put an end to his parliamentary -ambitions. “When ‘Childe -Harold’ was published,” he says, “no -one ever afterward thought of my prose, -nor indeed did I.” However, he also -says, “I would not for the world be -like my hero.”</p> - -<p>Each spent much time alone with -Nature, drinking from the exhaustless -fountain of her varied life. Each loved -her most in her wildest, fiercest moods. -Power—they loved it, worshiped it; -they felt it in them and all around -them. It was the necessary food for -their strenuous, tempest-tossed souls. -Burns loved to walk on the sheltered -side of a forest and listen to a storm -rave among the trees. Better still, he -loved to ascend some eminence and -stride along its summit amid the flashes -of the lightning and howls of the tempest: -“Rapt in enthusiasm, I seemed -to ascend to Him who walks on the -wings of the wind.” Byron</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">Made him friends of mountains, stars;</span> - <span class="i0">But the Quick Spirit of the universe</span> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="no-indent">spoke to him best through Nature’s -most stupendous form, the turbulent, -merciless ocean.</p> - -<p>Byron reveled in the glories of more -climes; Burns saw the marvels of more -kingdoms, for he understood the language -of the daisy and the mouse. The -self-negating love, the exultant pride -the Peasant Poet felt for his own bonnie -Scotland, the English Peer lavished -upon a foreign land. Burns said if he -ever reached heaven, he would ask -nothing better than just a Highland -welcome.</p> - -<p>Burns, in his innate appreciation of -the dignity of humanity, is something -of a Siegfried, with the fearless spirit -of the forest vocal with the song of -birds, the aroma of blossoming shrubs, -the play of the waterfall and the restful -stretch of meadows with their -daisies and heather.</p> - -<p>Byron, in the desolation of his youth, -in his extremes of laughter and tears, -in his yearning for sympathy, in his -broodings over the mysteries of life, -played the character of Hamlet with -the world for a stage, leaving a kindred -problem for the wonder of mankind.</p> - -<p>Many of Byron’s shorter poems are -from Bible stories and characters, and -it is wonderful how his brilliant genius -caught and reproduced both spirit and -story. Burns gives us his thought of -a religious life in that sweetest pastoral -poem in all literature, “The Cotter’s -Saturday Night.”</p> - -<p>In the last few months of his life he -did much to reproduce it in his own -life, holding family prayer with such -earnestness as to bring his hearers to -tears over the penitence for sins and -hope in the mercy of God.</p> - -<p>In these poets the perceptive faculties -roamed at will over a wide field of -human activities, and voiced their impressions -with a witchery of language -which has hardly a parallel. The -work of both men was revolutionizing -in its effects. Burns found his countrymen -in bondage to the fear of -wraiths, hobgoblins and kindred spirits, -and he was a mighty power in their deliverance. -Taine estimates that he -was as great a force in Scotland as the -Revolution in France.</p> - -<p>Byron is believed largely to have influenced -the revolutionary movement -in Germany. He gave a direct stimulus -to the liberators of Italy, and -ended his life in a heroic struggle for -the liberties of Greece.</p> - -<p>If Byron’s literary work is more resplendent -and daring, Burns’s seems -fresher from the varied living forces -about us. If Byron’s is a circlet of -sapphires, Burns’s is that same circlet -transmuted by the alchemy of human -sympathy to a wreath of never-fading -violets.</p> - -<p>When we remember that these colossal -figures passed off the stage of life -after thirty-seven short years, when -we get a suggestion of the difficult circumstances -and terrible temptations -that encompassed their stormy young -lives, we may well leave their failings -to God, who alone is their moral Judge. -It may be His compassion for them is -commensurate with the powers with -which He endowed them.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_336"></a>[Pg 336]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="The_Man_With_White_Nails" id="The_Man_With_White_Nails"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>The Man With White Nails</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY CAPTAIN W. E. P. FRENCH, U.S.A.</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">MY wife brought me the case -and the client, and, strict -candor compels me to say, -I was not particularly grateful for -either. The case was a curiously involved -combination of an over-indulgent, -invalid mother; a shrewd, -selfish and unscrupulous son; a trained -nurse, rather worse than she should -have been; a cleverly drawn but very -unjust will; an exceedingly large estate -mostly in investment securities; a husband-deserted -daughter with two -small children and “an annual income -of nothing to keep ’em on”; a witness -who would undoubtedly be “agin the -government,” and one other person -whose testimony might, or might not, -be favorable to the prosecution, but -who had apparently vanished bodily -from the face of the earth. The client -was a pretty, gentle little creature, -crushed under a load of trouble much -too big for her, quite pathetic in her -helplessness, and shrinking and rather -indifferent about her own claims, but -with an almost fierce mother-instinct -over the rights of her babies.</p> - -<p>How the partner of my joys and -sorrows discovered these wronged -mites of humanity is immaterial—she -has a keen scent for injustice or oppression -of any kind—but she rounded -them up, brought them to my office, -and said I was to take the case. I -never appeal from the decision of my -supreme court, so I said, “Certainly.”</p> - -<p>First she took me aside and gave me -an <i>ex parte</i> and rather highly colored -statement of the facts in the affair, -explaining that her protégée was diffident -and reticent, unless stirred up -about the children, and perorating -with the remark, “You will find, John, -that my meek-looking lamb is quite -a ferocious animal when roused.” -Then she went over to the other woman, -kissed her, gave the boy a pile of my -cherished law-books to use as building-blocks, -took the tiny girl on her lap, -hitched her chair a bit closer to the -mother and said, “Now, my dear, you -tell John everything, just as you told -it to me, and he will fix it all up for -you.”</p> - -<p>A tolerable portion of my fairly -large practice has consisted, and, I -fancy, will continue to consist, of -charity cases brought to me by my -wife. They have, of course, seldom or -never been profitable; they have cost -time, work, worry and money, have -occasionally been paid in the base coin -of ingratitude, and without them we -should have had a much larger bank -account. But the warmest-hearted and -most generous woman I have ever -known likes me to help those she -thinks are wronged, and it is little -enough for me to do for her dear sake.</p> - -<p>My small, scared client attracted me -from the first, and my dusty legal heart -ached over her sad story. Her mother -had never cared much for her and had -lavished love and money on her -brother. She had married unfortunately, -while scarcely more than a -child. The estrangement with her -mother had increased, and her brother -had craftily widened the breach. This -last fact I had much trouble to elicit, -and wormed it out of her piecemeal.</p> - -<p>After three years of neglect and ill-treatment, -her husband had deserted -her and run away with another woman—incidentally, -her best friend—leaving -her almost destitute. When she -recovered from an attack of brain<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_337"></a>[Pg 337]</span> -fever she found a letter from her -brother awaiting her, in which he -announced the death of their mother, -his marriage to the trained nurse who -had taken care of the mother in her -last illness, and their exodus to Europe. -He inclosed a copy of the will, which -left everything unreservedly to him, -and said that his attorney would communicate -with her. The man-of-the-law -came in person, and stated that he -was empowered to pay her a hundred -dollars a month, so long as she did not -attempt litigation.</p> - -<p>The will was witnessed by the doctor -and the trained nurse, and the -doctor was, to all intents, beyond discovery.</p> - -<p>It was, on its face, a probable case -of undue influence and, perhaps, mental -aberration. But how prove either, -without the doubly expert testimony -of the missing physician, who, it appeared, -was the only person, except -the son and the nurse, that had seen -the invalid during the last year of her -life?</p> - -<p>It was a significant fact that the -daughter’s name was not mentioned -in the instrument; and I suspected collusion -on the part of the medical gentleman -with the beneficiary and the -woman who would share the profits of -the criminal enterprise. My poor little -client had seen the doctor once only -when she was vainly endeavoring to -gain access to her mother, and described -him as a very fine-looking man -on the sunny slope of forty, with wavy -blond hair and pointed beard, a suave -and kindly manner, a charming voice -and singularly handsome hands.</p> - -<p>The bill of items would have fitted -tolerably a dozen men of my acquaintance, -and I said as much, asking her, -as an afterthought, how she came to -notice his hands. Someone has said -that the gist of a woman’s letter is in -the postscript, and the large majority -of women that have employed me as -counsel have invariably reserved the -leading and important facts of their -cases until the last. This client was no -exception to the rule; but when the -dramatic little body had finished -personating the missing man, I would -have known him as far as I could see -him among ten thousand, unless he -were asleep or quite still; for she had -cleverly imitated a man whose restless -hands were ever in motion as he talked, -and who glanced at them with covert -satisfaction every few seconds. This -singular trick, the descriptive factors -in his personal equation, and the name -he had signed—which, she assured me, -was undoubtedly his own—as witness -to the signature of the testatrix were -about all the additional information I -could extract from her, except that she -had refused her brother’s proposition -and was ready to fight to the bitter -end for her children’s rights, though -she had to beg or steal the money to -pay court and counsel.</p> - -<p>I waived retainer and took the case -on contingent fee, which, after the -little grass widow had left, I told my -wife, in gentle irony, I would divide -with her; but that she must not -squander it on yachts and four-in-hands, -because these big paying cases -are pretty rare—fortunately.</p> - -<p>That good woman received my -ironic suggestion with her usual placidity, -and said: “Very well, my dear; -I shall certainly hold you to your -promise of division, and I have a -premonition that we shall win the -suit. Mark my words! I don’t want -a yacht, but I shall buy that lovely -Goldsborough place and spend my -declining years looking at the river-view -from that glorious, wide piazza.”</p> - -<p>I had not the slightest hope of success, -for even if the witness could -be found, I had no doubt that he was -a scamp and in the brother’s pay.</p> - -<p>A letter to a friend and fellow-attorney -in the city where the mother -had died brought this reply: The man -I wanted to find had been a general -practitioner there for some years; -he had had a very large practice and -the liking and respect of the community; -but both had fallen away -from him from two very odd causes; -one, that he had suddenly become -exceedingly untrustworthy and unreliable, -in fact, a phenomenal and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_338"></a>[Pg 338]</span> -outrageous liar; and the other, that he -had unaccountably taken to the habitual -wearing on every possible or impossible -occasion, professional or social, -of white kid gloves or long white -gauntlets, bringing these ghostly hands -to the bedside of patients, or hovering -with them over the operating-table. -It began to be noised abroad that Dr. -Bently, which was his name, was unsound -in his mind, was suffering from -some dreadful, contagious disease -which had broken out in his hands, -and that the truth was not in him. My -informant added that shortly after -the death of Mrs. Johnstone, my -small client’s mother, the doctor had -taken himself, his gauntlets and his -marvelous mendacity to New York, -but that his present whereabouts were -unknown to the writer.</p> - -<p>The detective agency in New York, -of which I next inquired, sent me -word that there was no such name as -Bernard Brice Bently in the directory -or in any way on record as a physician -or surgeon in that city. All this took -time, and, meanwhile, I had advertised -vainly in prominent papers all -over the country and had had an -agent interview many of the doctor’s -old acquaintances. The man had disappeared, -and within a very narrow -limit of time the will would be admitted -to probate.</p> - -<p>Just at this time another legal -matter required my presence in New -York, and, when I reached there, the -engrossing nature of my business -drove most other matters out of my -head. After several days of close and -confining work, I finished taking the -depositions I needed, and purposed -to return home that evening. It -occurred to me that a pleasant way -of spending my remaining hours in -town would be to take a stroll through -Central Park, which I had not seen -in years—not, in fact, since I had been -a student in Columbia Law School.</p> - -<p>I walked from the Fifty-ninth Street -entrance as far as the Museum, which -is about opposite Eighty-second Street, -and had sat down to rest near the -obelisk. It was a magnificent late -spring day, and I was lazily enjoying -the beauty of the place and watching -the passing show, when a man on the -next bench attracted my attention by -springing to his feet and gazing eagerly -and fiercely beyond me and up -the drive. If ever ferocious desire -and intent to kill were written on a -human face it was on his.</p> - -<p>Instinctively I glanced in the direction -he was looking and saw a -steam runabout, with one man in it, -approaching smoothly and not very -rapidly. I turned back instantly and -sprang at the would-be assassin, whose -pistol was out and pointed, but I was -too late. There was a flash and a -report, and I could see the hammer of -the self-cocker rising for a second shot, -when I struck him a left-hander. I -do not often have occasion to hit a -man, but when I do he usually falls. -As he went down the weapon spoke -again, but I knew that that bullet -went wide. The fellow was game, -though, and determined, for his back -had scarcely touched the ground before -he rolled on his side and fired twice -at the man in the locomobile. The -fifth chamber of the revolver he let -me have, as I flung myself down on -him, and the subsequent proceedings -were blank, the ball having grazed my -temple and stunned me.</p> - -<p>When I came to I was lying on a -leather couch in a very handsomely -appointed doctor’s office. My head -was bound up, and I was a bit sick -and dizzy. I suppose I had half -swooned again, when I was roused by -a soft touch on my wrist, and looking -down I saw the most beautiful and -the whitest man’s hand I have ever -seen. But, white as it was, the fine, -filbert-shaped nails were whiter still. -They were absolutely milky, and the -half-moons had the ghostly whiteness -and lustre of pearls. I was both startled -and fascinated. Surely no living flesh -was ever that color, and no human -being with blood in him ever had such -nails. Was it the hand of a corpse? -No, it was warm, and, as I looked, the -fingers bent and sought my pulse. A -deep, musical voice broke the silence:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_339"></a>[Pg 339]</span></p> - -<p>“Ah, we are all right now, thank -God! How do you feel, friend? Drink -this.” The speaker, holding a tumbler, -came in front of me, and I saw a -handsome man with clean-shaven face, -black, wavy hair and beautiful but -rather wild-looking eyes.</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” I said as I took the -glass and obediently drained it; “I feel -somewhat as though I had been trifling -with a steam-hammer. But I shall be -all right presently.”</p> - -<p>“Of course you will,” he assured me -heartily. “You were struck a glancing -blow on the head by the bullet of -that poor, half-crazed Pole, who, the -police say, thought I was a Russian -duke. The only ill consequence of -your noble act will be an honorable -scar, to remind you how gallantly you -risked your life to save a total stranger’s. -My dear friend—if you will allow -a friendless man to call you so”—here -the charming voice grew as sweet -and vibrant as an organ note—“it was -the bravest and most generous act I -ever knew. I cannot thank you adequately, -but I hope it may be given -me to serve you some time, and should -you ever need a friend’s purse, his -hand or his life, mine are yours.”</p> - -<p>I endeavored to deprecate the value -of my interference and to moderate his -expressions of gratitude; but he would -have none of it, and, leaping to his feet, -began to pace to and fro, expatiating -upon what he extravagantly termed -my bravery and unselfishness, and insisting -upon his tremendous obligation -to me. He was manifestly in earnest; -but all at once habit asserted itself, -the ruling passion came to the fore, and -a trifle “light as air” made “confirmation -strong as proof of Holy Writ.” -When he first began to move a memory -flashed over me, but, as those beautiful, -restless white hands added their -evidence, assurance became doubly -sure. I could see my demure, pretty -little client impersonating this man, -and I knew, despite the dyed hair and -the shaven beard, that I had found the -missing witness. But I had found -something else. I had found a man -suffering from a chronic dementia. -Whether his derangement was general -or merely monomania, I was at a loss -to determine. If the former, he was -not competent as a witness for either -side. If the latter, the special form -and degree of alienation might or might -not militate against his testimony.</p> - -<p>I was impelled to take him unawares, -and so I said suddenly: “Dr. -Bently, do you remember Mrs. Abbott, -the daughter of your former patient, -Mrs. Johnstone, of Laneville?”</p> - -<p>If he started or showed surprise or -annoyance, it was imperceptible; but -he glanced with smiling complaisance -at his nails as he came over to me, and, -touching my forehead, remarked, with -most irritating suavity: “My dear fellow, -I fear you are feverish. My name -is Charles Chester Chickering. I never -was in Laneville, I never had a patient -named Johnstone, and I have no recollection -whatever of anyone by the -name of Abbott.”</p> - -<p>He looked straight at me as he uttered -these falsehoods, and his tone -was like velvet. There was the flicker -of an amused smile on his mouth, but -his eyes were hard and cold as blued -steel, the contracted pupils shining like -black pinheads. I stared back at him, -and presently he shifted his gaze from -my face to his own right hand, which -he was holding out in front of him, and -again that abominable, self-satisfied -smirk appeared. I was filled with -boundless contempt for this man I had -almost begun to pity, and as I rose -from the couch and began to speak I -could fairly taste the bitterness of the -words I flung at him:</p> - -<p>“Dr. or Mr. Bernard Brice Bently, -Charles Chester Chickering—or whatever -your infernal, alliterative <i>alias</i> -may be—I deeply regret that I should -have saved you from the death I have -no doubt you richly deserved, and I -earnestly hope that you may be punished -for your crime of helping to ruin -a poor little woman and two innocent -children. And, by the living God! I -will do all in my power to bring you -to——”</p> - -<p>He interrupted me eagerly, wonderingly, -protestingly. “What is that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_340"></a>[Pg 340]</span> -you say? Mrs. Abbott and her children -living? Why, that scoundrel -Johnstone and that she-devil of a nurse -swore to Mrs. Johnstone and me that all -three of them were dead and buried!”</p> - -<p>Hope came to life again in my heart. -It was a mistake, after all, and this -man could and would rectify it. He -had been deceived and had witnessed -the document in good faith. I had -commenced an apology when he uttered -a violent exclamation, and, holding -the backs of his hands in front of -his face, scrutinized his nails with rapt -intensity.</p> - -<p>His very lips grew livid, the eyes he -turned on me were those of a madman, -and, snarling like a wolf, he screamed: -“See what you have done! Look at -my nails!” and thrust his pallid fingers -forward for my inspection.</p> - -<p>On the polished, snowy surface of -every nail was a bright pink fleck or -spot of about the bigness and shape of -a ladybug; but I was barely conscious -of these rosy marks on the intense -whiteness of the uncanny things, for I -suppose the smart rap of that pistol -bullet and this man’s extraordinary -sayings and doings had upset my fairly -choleric temper, and I was literally -beside myself with uncontrollable rage -and indignation.</p> - -<p>“Damn you and your dead nails!” I -shouted back at him. “You cowardly -liar and thief, you are Johnstone’s accomplice, -and I will tear the truth out -of you if I have to kill you to do it.”</p> - -<p>We were glaring at each other like -wild beasts, and, before the words were -fairly out of my mouth, we sprang forward, -our hands clutching hungrily -at each other’s throats in the fierce -desire to strangle which comes to men -and the other brutes that slay when -anger and hate have reached the last -and deadly stage. An undercut would -have driven him back, but I wanted his -windpipe and he wanted mine, and -each of us was sick to have the other at -close quarters, so a blow would not -have been fair play. We were well -matched. I was sure of that as we -grappled. We swayed and strained, -and I could feel the blood running -down my face when my wound reopened; -but the end came quickly, and, -as we crashed to the floor, he was underneath, -and my hands flew up eagerly -and clenched under his chin. Ah! the -savage joy of it!</p> - -<p>But why did he not struggle? What -trick was this? Good God, had the -fall killed him? How white he was! -And he had been crimson a second ago. -The revulsion of feeling turned me sick. -Was I a murderer? I let go my hold, -leaped to my feet and threw a pitcher -of ice water on his head and face. He -gasped, opened his eyes and regarded -me calmly and quietly. Was it only a -moment ago that those calm, sad eyes -had been narrow rims of blue around -intensely black, distended pupils that -had in them the dull red glare of blood-lust? -Now they were soft and human, -and the light of sanity was in them.</p> - -<p>“My friend,” he said gently—what -a superb voice he had, and how the -deep, rich, mellow tones brushed away -anger, hatred and fear—“my friend, I -owe you my life twice. First, you -saved it; now, you spare it. And I -owe you more than life. I owe you -my restoration to reason, to perfect -sanity. For I have been bitten by a -mania so wild, so strange, so improbable -that no man save you who have -seen it would believe in its existence. -‘Like cures like.’ It came through a -fall and a shock. It has been cured -through a fall and a shock. You were -right. I <i>was</i> a liar. The greatest on -earth, I believe, and I gloried in it, -and hated to tell a truth lest it should -bring a pink spot on my nails. No, -don’t lift me up.”</p> - -<p>I had attempted to raise him and -had blurted out a word or two of shame, -sympathy and pity.</p> - -<p>“I prefer to lie here while I tell you -the story,” he went on. “You have no -cause to be ashamed; it was simple self-defense -on your part, for I should probably -have killed you in my paroxysm. -Besides, you do not realize what you -have done for me. But I thank you -for your kindly sympathy; it is not -wasted, believe me. Now, if you will -do me a favor, watch my nails, and,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_341"></a>[Pg 341]</span> -if they become normal, tell me. But, -first, put one of those wet compresses -on your wound and slip the bandage -over it. You will forgive me by and -bye for fighting with a guest to whom I -owed so much. I was not responsible.”</p> - -<p>I hastened to reassure him, and he -resumed:</p> - -<p>“Before I begin my own weird tale, -let me relieve your mind about that -poor, wronged, sensitive child, Mrs. Abbott. -I will go back with you to Laneville, -and we will break that will wide -open. There will be no trouble about -it. Johnstone is a whelp, his wife is a -criminal, and I can put them both -behind the bars. That little woman -shall be righted, if it takes my entire -fortune to do it. Now, listen. A trifle -over a year ago, getting out of my phaeton, -I fell, struck my head and was -out of my mind for some weeks. When -I regained health and strength I found -that my injury had left me with the -most unthinkable hallucination that -ever crept into a human brain. Subconsciously, -I knew it was a vicious -delusion, but I took the same delight -in it that a patient partly in the control -of delirium sometimes takes in the -absurdities he utters.</p> - -<p>“You know the little white marks on -the nails which, as children, we used -to say came from telling lies? Well, -my mania was that if I told nothing -<i>but</i> lies, lied constantly and consistently, -I could turn mine entirely white. -I tried and I succeeded. The will, -obeying a diseased mind, plays queer -pranks. I was partly proud of the -result of my experiment, partly -ashamed of it. So I took to wearing -gloves and gauntlets most of the time. -I began to get a reputation as a phenomenal -liar. Once I overheard a man -say, ‘Dr. Bently says it is so? Then -that settles it; it’s a lie that would turn -Beelzebub green with envy. Why, I -wouldn’t believe the doctor if he swore -to anything on seventeen cubic miles -of Bibles in the original Hebrew.’</p> - -<p>“I could have hugged him with -grateful delight. But friends and practice -dropped away. People began to -look at me askance, and before Mrs. -Johnstone died she was about the only -patient of our class I had left. The -street urchins used to yell at me, ‘Hallo, -Ananias! where’s Sapphira?’ and -‘Berny Bently; or, The Hidden Hand.’ -So I came here and hid myself in this -great city, where no one cares for anything -but money and would make much -of a rich man if he had claws, hoofs, -horns and a tail all white as snow or -black as ink.”</p> - -<p>While he spoke I had watched his -nails closely and curiously, and the -pink spots had spread and spread, -slowly but surely, until the normal, -healthy color had come back to them. -I told him, but he never looked at -them. Instead, he got up, came over -to me, took my two hands in his and -said slowly and reverently: “Thank -God and you, dear friend, I am cured!” -His splendid eyes were filled with tears, -and his exquisite voice was solemn and -broken with emotion. My own eyes -were rather misty, but then they were -never much good; and, for a lawyer, I -was quite moved. I gave him my -friendship then and there, and I have -never regretted it.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Two weeks later, starting from my -own home, where Mrs. Abbott and -Bently had been our most welcome -guests, we all went to Laneville, where -we met Mr. and Mrs. Johnstone, whom -we had summoned back by cable. They -made us but little trouble, being cowards -as well as scoundrels. Mrs. Abbott, -however—good, kindly, generous -little soul—was so unfeignedly sorry for -her unworthy brother that she wished -to let him have the lion’s share of the -big property; but we overruled the -soft-hearted child-woman and made -her take her full share. I had the -pleasure, subsequently, of expressing -to Mr. Johnstone exactly what I -thought of him, and I had considerable -difficulty in restraining the doctor from -giving him a beating.</p> - -<p>Not long after I began divorce -proceedings for Mrs. Abbott, but her -rascally husband saved her and me -the annoyance of going into court by -opportunely and thoughtfully dying.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_342"></a>[Pg 342]</span></p> - -<p>My fee was the largest I have ever -received from an individual client, and, -in some extenuation for accepting such -a small fortune, I would like to say -that it was fairly forced on me by the -grateful little creature I love as though -she were my own child.</p> - -<p>My wife promptly demanded, and -got, her little commission of one-half, -and said she was the best drummer of -practice and big-paying clients that -any lawyer ever had. She is, God bless -her! And, by the way, we live in the -Goldsborough house, and my dear lady -spends a good part of her time on the -piazza she bought with her half of my -fee.</p> - -<p>Oh, yes! I forgot to mention that -Mrs. Abbott’s name is now Bently. -They call her husband “the good physician” -in our town, and his word is as -good as any man’s bond. The doctor -has lost interest in his hands, but his -sweet and devoted little wife admires -them extravagantly. They are still -very handsome, but brown as berries, -and his nails are as pink as yours or -mine.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="Organization_and_Education" id="Organization_and_Education"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Organization and Education</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY WHARTON BARKER</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE cardinal tenets of the People’s -Party were declared by the -founders of the Republic, established -by the War of the Revolution -and guaranteed to our people by -the Constitution of the United States. -So, by proclaiming for rule of justice, -liberty and equality of opportunity, not -of greed, man was made the master -and money the servant. Those who -believe in government of, by and for -the people, who believe that the people -are fitted to govern themselves, capable -of discerning that which is good for -them and that which is not, must approve -the contention the People’s Party -makes; must oppose the aggression -of concentrated capital; must see the -need of immediate independent political -action outside and apart from both -Republican and Democratic Parties, -both dominated by the money cliques.</p> - -<p>The money oligarchy, now in control -of all lines of finance, transportation, -distribution and of most lines of -production, works for the profit of the -few to the great detriment of the many. -These plutocrats control a slavish metropolitan -press, in order that the masses -of our people may be governed for the -benefit of the few.</p> - -<p>If this control is to stand, if millions -of people are to slave for a few thousand, -it is necessary that the many -have no direct hand in their own government, -that the many delegate to -representatives their power, and that -such representatives should be influenced -so as to become the representatives -of the few. The people must -have only the semblance of power, the -representatives the real power, in -order that governing may be carried on -for the advantage of the rulers, not of -the ruled.</p> - -<p>So we have nominating conventions -run by political bosses, legislative bodies -taking orders from agents of the -money cliques, who purchase franchises -for railway lines and for other -public utilities; election laws that make -independent voting almost impossible.</p> - -<p>Until we have direct nominations -the people will be the willing or unwilling -tools of the men who dictate -nominations, and they must make -choice between the candidates set up -for them. For years the Republican<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_343"></a>[Pg 343]</span> -and Democratic politicians who run -conventions have been the agents of -the money oligarchy that deals in and -fattens upon all kinds of public franchises. -So the plutocrats make of our -Government an instrument for the oppression -of the many and the enrichment -of the few. In order to promote -the governing of our people by the -few and for the few, promote legislation -that will impoverish and weaken -the many but aggrandize the few in -riches and power, it is necessary that -law-making should be intrusted to representatives; -that these representatives -should be put more and more out of -touch with the people and more in -touch with the few; that these representatives -should be removed further -and further from responsibility to the -people; that their doings should be -hidden and not subject to review.</p> - -<p>So we have demands for extended -terms of office; we have opposition to -the election of President and senators -by popular vote; we have opposition -to the selection of Federal judges other -than by appointment of the President -and Senate; we have, above all, opposition -to direct popular voting upon -questions of public policy, upon granting -public franchises.</p> - -<p>The referendum is opposed because -it would make all laws passed by legislative -bodies subject to review and -reversal by a high court, the court of -the whole people entering verdict -through the ballot-box. There is little -outward opposition to the principle of -direct legislation. There is much covert -opposition from the money oligarchy -and much plainer opposition -born of ignorance from the body of the -people.</p> - -<p>Those who oppose direct legislation -hold that the people are not fitted -to govern themselves, that the few are -fitted by divine law to rule, that the -many are condemned to be ruled for -the benefit of the few by a law equally -divine. This is the law of kings; it is -not the law of democracy. He who -holds it is false to our theory of government, -is no better than a monarchist.</p> - -<p>Give us direct legislation, such as the -initiative and referendum would establish, -and there will be an end to sale of -franchises by representatives and no -laws will be enacted to rob the people -of their rights and property. The place -to begin with direct voting is in nomination -of all candidates for public office—a -People’s Party must abolish all -delegate conventions for making nominations -and platforms; must adopt -direct voting for candidates and for -declarations of principles; must have -voting precinct clubs for party management. -The district and subdivision -plan of organization adopted by the -Cincinnati convention of 1900 is the -best plan of organization heretofore -proposed, and it should be put into -immediate operation unless a better -plan can be proposed without delay, -for it will insure rule of the people in -party management and destroy the -power of the political boss who goes -into politics for profit.</p> - -<p>If the People’s Party will at once -declare for a rank-and-file plan of -organization and management we will -see a rush to arms in all states, for in -all the rule of the boss, serving the -money oligarchy, is most offensive. -The time has come for such a People’s -Party; there is no place for a People’s -Party run on the lines of the Republican -and Democratic Parties.</p> - -<p>The day of the hero-led party has -passed. The great majority Mr. -Roosevelt received is no evidence -to the contrary, for more than three -million citizens out of seventeen million -abstained from voting at the last -election. Organization and education -of the body of the people must come -through voting precinct organizers and -educators—of course the printed matter -must for economy be prepared and -sent out from central offices, from -national headquarters, but no proper, -no effective distribution of it can -be made except by the precinct -organizers.</p> - -<p>If the people are to win a national -victory there must be from three -to five honest, able, aggressive, patriotic -men in each of the one hundred<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_344"></a>[Pg 344]</span> -thousand voting districts of the country -working by day and by night. -These men must awaken their immediate -neighbors to a lively appreciation -of the wrongs they suffer and -point out the way to re-establishment -of their rights, the way to restoration -of justice, liberty and equality of -opportunity. When such an army is -in the field the people will defeat the -money oligarchy, but not before.</p> - -<p>At the election of 1904, I repeat, -three million citizens refused to vote -because they would not stultify themselves -by voting for either Roosevelt -or Parker, both candidates of the plutocrats. -At least two million citizens -voted for Roosevelt because they wished -to destroy the Democratic Party, a -party for years without fixed principles. -These five million citizens, together -with the eight hundred thousand -citizens who voted for Debs, -Watson and Swallow, represented the -reform and dissatisfied vote of the -country—five months since. The action -of the Beef Trust, of the Railroad -Combination and of allied interests, -all in control of twenty men, -and the now openly declared purpose -of President Roosevelt and Secretary -Hay to establish in foreign affairs an -American-British alliance, alarm many -millions of our citizens as they have -not been alarmed before.</p> - -<p>A new epoch in our country opens -now, for people and plutocrats are in -a death struggle. The principle the -People’s Party stands for is that man -is the master, money the servant. -The question—is the People’s Party -equal to the duty of the time?—must -be answered at once. If it goes into -the campaign immediately with a -voting precinct organization such as -was declared for by the Cincinnati -convention of 1900, the answer will be -affirmative.</p> - -<p>The cardinal tenets of the party of -the people are:</p> - -<p>1. Brotherhood of man, love, justice, -liberty and equality of opportunity.</p> - -<p>2. Government by the people—the -recognition of the right of the people -to rule themselves by establishment -of direct legislation, the initiative and -the referendum.</p> - -<p>3. Honest money—national money, -not bank money—that will serve -creditor and debtor alike; that will -insure stability of prices, thus be an -honest measure of value, and thereby -encourage honest industry and discourage -speculation.</p> - -<p>4. Nationalization of railroads and -other monopolies that must be public -rather than private monopolies.</p> - -<p>5. Prevention of overcapitalization -of all corporations, of overcharge for -services rendered the public by such -corporations.</p> - -<p>6. Abolition of industrial trusts, -those that exist because of tariff protection -and those that exist because -of freight discriminations whether by -rebates, special rates or otherwise.</p> - -<p>7. Taxation that will tax every -man according to his accumulated -wealth—tax property, not man; collect -state and municipal taxes by -direct tax on the accumulated wealth -of society assessed at actual cash -value; collect national taxes by a -direct tax on the earnings of accumulated -wealth, whether large or small. -Have only direct taxes, for indirect -taxes cover injustice and extravagance.</p> - -<p>8. Foreign policy that will keep -our country out of all entangling -alliances with European and Asiatic -countries, and strengthen our economic -relations with all American countries -that have different soil, climate -and products from those of the United -States.</p> - -<p>These are the demands of the People’s -Party, the cardinal principles for which -that party contends. They are all -simple, easily understood, and must -have approval of a great majority of -the American people when brought -to them for consideration by a party -of the rank and file, controlled by the -people themselves, not dictated to -by the money oligarchy; by a party -that stands for the interests of the -many, not of the few. I close, as I -began, by saying we need organization -and education.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_345"></a>[Pg 345]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="The_Panic_of_1893" id="The_Panic_of_1893"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>The Panic of 1893</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY W. S. MORGAN</p> - -<p class="no-indent">Hon. <span class="smcap">Thomas E. Watson</span>,<br /> -<span class="ws5"><i>Thomson, Ga.</i></span></p> - -<p class="drop-cap">MY DEAR SIR—I have your -letter containing communications -from James R. Branch, -Secretary of the American Bankers’ -Association, New York City, and Jno. -D. Reynolds, President of First National -Bank, of Rome, Ga., in which -they deny the authenticity of the Panic -Bulletin published in my contribution -to the March issue of your magazine.</p> - -<p>I remember when the Bulletin was -first made public I asked a friend, a -president of the Citizens’ National -Bank, of Fort Scott, Kan., a man with -whom I was intimately connected in -business for ten or twelve years, if such -a circular had been issued. He replied -that he had received a number of circulars -covering the propositions therein -contained, and that likely he had received -that one. This incident, and -the fact that the Bulletin had been published -from time to time for years and -I had not seen its authenticity questioned, -and furthermore that its suggestions -were in line with the events of -that date, led me to believe that it was -genuine.</p> - -<p>However, the authenticity of the circular -was not the subject matter of the -article which provoked these denials. -My indictment of the National Bankers -was not merely for issuing the Bulletin, -but for doing the things it suggested. -Messrs. Branch and Reynolds -have ignored the indictment and attacked -the witness. But there are -other witnesses that can’t be demolished.</p> - -<p>After Mr. Cleveland had sent Henry -Villard and Don M. Dickinson to Washington, -in the winter of 1893, and failed -to secure from the Fifty-second Congress -the repeal of the purchasing clause -of the Sherman law, the National Bankers -began to show their hand.</p> - -<p>It was seen that no ordinary pressure -on Congress would secure the demonetization -of silver. It was claimed that -the Panic Bulletin was issued March -8, just four days after Cleveland’s second -inauguration.</p> - -<p>What was the program laid down -in the Panic Bulletin?</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The interests of the National -Banks require immediate financial legislation.</p> - -<p>2. Silver, silver certificates and Treasury -notes must be retired and National -Bank-notes, upon a gold basis, be made -the only kind of paper money.</p> - -<p>3. Bonds required to be issued as a -basis for the bank-note circulation.</p> - -<p>4. Pressure must be brought upon -the people, especially in sections of the -country where the free silver sentiment -was strong. Circulation to be reduced, -loans called in, credit refused and general -distrust spread broadcast through -the land.</p> - -<p>5. Demand for an extra session of -Congress to repeal the purchasing -clause of the Sherman law.</p> - -</div> - -<p>This was the program laid down by -the Bulletin. Did it agree with the -action of the National Bankers? We -shall see.</p> - -<p>On the 11th of April, 1893, Grover -Cleveland appointed Conrad C. Jordan -to be Assistant Treasurer of the United -States.</p> - -<p>In this capacity Jordan had control -of the Sub-Treasury at New York. The -Sub-Treasury is the great business -establishment of the Federal Government.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_346"></a>[Pg 346]</span> -It is one of the associated banks -of New York City.</p> - -<p>Jordan was a banker, the President -of the Western National, of New York -City, and was recommended for the position -by the New York National Bank -Presidents. He was the go-between—the -link which connected the National -Bankers with Cleveland and the Federal -Government.</p> - -<p>His nomination was confirmed on the -15th day of April, and on the 20th he -was in Washington with his bond and -conferring with Cleveland.</p> - -<p>From that hour things moved with -wonderful rapidity.</p> - -<p>Jordan left Washington on the 21st, -arrived in New York at 5.30 in the -afternoon, went directly to the Chase -National Bank, No. 15 Nassau Street, -where he met Henry W. Cannon, President -of the Chase National Bank, and -J. Edward Simmons, President of the -Fourth National, two of the most active -and influential of those who controlled -the associated banks and who constitute -the “New York National Bank -Ring.”</p> - -<p>It must have been an important -meeting, for that night Cannon left -New York for Washington on a midnight -train, arriving in Washington -Saturday morning, April 22, and while -there had interviews with Grover Cleveland. -On the morning of April 22 Jordan -was sworn into office, and his first -act, official or semi-official, was to arrange -for a meeting with certain National -Bank Presidents in the afternoon.</p> - -<p>I can give you the names of most of -the National Bank Presidents who met -Jordan that afternoon. The meeting -was said to be informal, and its proceedings -were carefully guarded. But -it was of such importance that Jordan -went to Washington on a late evening -train to make a report of its proceedings.</p> - -<p>It was generally believed at the time, -and there is little doubt of its truth, -that Jordan was simply given the office -to mask his character as confidential -agent between Grover Cleveland and -the New York National Bank Presidents.</p> - -<p>After a conference with Cleveland on -Sunday morning, April 23, Jordan and -Cannon returned to New York, arriving -there late in the evening. Before -leaving Washington Jordan wired certain -National Bank Presidents to meet -him at a private house uptown.</p> - -<p>What happened at that meeting we -can only surmise. I mention it to -show the connection between the National -Bank Presidents and Grover -Cleveland.</p> - -<p>The next morning, April 24, Jordan -was at his desk. One of the first things -he did was to notify the National Bank -Presidents and officers of trusts and -other companies to meet him that day -at the Sub-Treasury. This also was -a dark-lantern meeting, and no one -would give out the proceedings. But -what followed shortly afterward, and -the action taken by those who attended -that meeting, justifies the belief -that that convention was called -for the purpose of arranging a concerted -attack upon the national industries, -agriculture, commerce, property -and social order of the American people—the -assault to be directed by the New -York National Bank Presidents—as -the swiftest and surest means of forcing -Congress to repeal the silver law—to -give the country Cleveland’s “Object-Lesson.”</p> - -<p>Nine National Bank Presidents met -John G. Carlisle at the Williams House -on April 27, presumably to complete -the arrangements for the attack. No -doubt Cleveland had approved the conclusions -reached on the 24th, and sent -Carlisle to sanction them.</p> - -<p>Carlisle’s meeting with the Bank -Presidents that day was, as you know, -a subject of much newspaper comment. -The meeting was said to have been one -of “effusive cordiality,” and, in view -of the events which quickly followed, -there is little doubt but what it partook -of the nature of “two hearts that -beat as one.”</p> - -<p>It was there that the National Bankers -proposed an issue of bonds. But -Carlisle, like a young girl, although -keen to marry, intimated that it was -“too sudden.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_347"></a>[Pg 347]</span></p> - -<p>This was the last of the series of -meetings between the Government officials -and the National Bank Presidents -preceding the panic.</p> - -<p>Everything was now ready to give -the country the “Object-Lesson.”</p> - -<p>Within the next forty-eight hours -the worst financial calamity that ever -befell the people was to break upon -them.</p> - -<p>At this time there was nothing in the -industrial situation to precipitate a -panic. Prices had been low for several -years, and there was none of the -spirit of speculation which usually precedes -a panic.</p> - -<p>Cleveland himself volunteered to say: -“Our unfortunate financial plight is not -the result of untoward events, nor of -conditions relating to our natural resources, -nor is it traceable to any of -the afflictions which frequently check -national growth and prosperity. With -plenteous crops, with abundant promise -of remunerative production and manufacture, -with unusual invitation to safe -investment and with satisfactory assurance -to business enterprise, suddenly -financial distrust and fear have sprung -up on every side.”</p> - -<p>Thus the people and all those engaged -in industrial and productive -enterprises are exonerated.</p> - -<p>Who are the guilty persons?</p> - -<p>The men who did just what that -Panic Bulletin describes.</p> - -<p>The bankers who demanded the practical -demonetization of silver; who demanded -a special session of Congress to -secure it; who called in their loans and -reduced their circulation; who demanded -and secured the issue of bonds, -and who now demand the retirement -of the greenbacks.</p> - -<p>Messrs. Branch and Reynolds and -other National Bank advocates may -be able to repudiate the Panic Bulletin, -but they cannot successfully -deny that every feature of the program -it contained was carried out in detail -by the men who practically control the -National Bank system.</p> - -<p>Four days after the Williams House -meeting at which Secretary Carlisle -was present, the New York banks began -to call in their loans with brutal -vindictiveness.</p> - -<p>We are not left to conjecture the -effect of such a policy on the New -York Exchange. By the 5th of May -the strain had become intense. The -New York <i>Tribune</i> of May 6, referring -to the condition of the market, said: -“The enormous losses of the last week, -the utter demoralization of the buying -power in the market and the practical -paralysis of credit, promised a liquidation -that, unless stayed, would have -swept them all off their feet.”</p> - -<p>On May 7 the same paper said: -“The effort of the Administration to -bring the South and West to a full realization -of the inevitable consequences -of compulsory purchases of silver bullion -has brought distress and perhaps -ruin to many innocent persons—but -there is no reason to suppose that it -will be relaxed.”</p> - -<p>Within ten days from the time of -the Williams House meeting between -Cleveland’s Secretary of the Treasury -and the National Bank Presidents the -panic had spread from the Atlantic to -the Pacific, and for forty days it continued -with unabated fury. On the -9th of May several Western banks were -forced to close their doors.</p> - -<p>“There is no lack of pressure,” said -the New York <i>Tribune</i> on the 22d of -May.</p> - -<p>On the 6th of June—six weeks after -the Williams House meeting—the New -York <i>Sun</i>, in its money article, said: -“The Presidents of the New York National -Banks think that the so-called -“Object-Lesson” has been carried far -enough. They see nothing to be gained -by a further shrinkage of values and -unsettling of credits.”</p> - -<p>It is useless for me to detail the results -of the panic.</p> - -<p>From May 9 to 30, inclusive, sixty -banks were forced to suspend, and -fifty-eight of them were in the doomed -section—the South, West and Northwest.</p> - -<p>From the time of the Williams House -meeting, April 27, to December 30, -1893, a period of eight months, more -than fifteen thousand bankruptcies and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_348"></a>[Pg 348]</span> -suspensions had occurred. Over six -hundred banks had been driven to the -wall, and the loss to the country in -round numbers was <span class="smcap">seven hundred -and fifty millions of dollars</span>.</p> - -<p>But the National Bank Presidents -had won their fight. They had carried -out the program laid down in the Panic -Bulletin, an extra session of Congress -had been called and the purchasing -clause repealed.</p> - -<p>That the “Object-Lesson” was intended -for the West and South is evidenced -by the records. Out of 169 -banks failing from March 5 to August -4, five only were in Eastern States, -forty-eight in Southern and 151 in -Western states—Dunn’s Report.</p> - -<p>Dunn’s Report for July 21, 1893, says: -“A large proportion of the suspended -Colorado banks and mercantile institutions -will pay in full and resume -business, inability to borrow money on -or sell ample collateral alone being the -cause of the Denver banks closing their -doors.”</p> - -<p>No doubt the panic reached proportions -not at first intended by the National -Bank Presidents and threatened -their own financial standing, as Mr. -Branch suggests is the case in time of -panics. But they had a remedy, no -doubt decided upon beforehand. While -they refused credit to the Southern and -Western banks, they issued Clearing -House certificates to the extent of -$63,152,000 to themselves, an act -which was in violation of the law.</p> - -<p>There is so much evidence obtainable -to the effect that the National -Bankers are guilty of every count in -the indictment contained in the Panic -Bulletin that a book could be filled -with it.</p> - -<p>In a speech in the United States -Senate August 25, 1893, Senator David -B. Hill, referring to the bankers, said: -“They inaugurated the policy of refusing -loans to the people even upon -the best security, and attempted in -every way to spread disaster broadcast -throughout the land. These disturbers—the -promoters of public peril—represented -largely the creditor class, -the men who desire to appreciate the -gold dollar in order to subserve their -own selfish interests, men who revel in -hard times, men who drive harsh bargains -with their fellow-men regardless -of financial distress. It is not strange -that the present panic has been induced, -intensified and protracted by -reason of these malign influences. Having -contributed much to bring about -the present exigency, these men are -now unable to control it. They have -sown the wind, and we are now all -reaping the whirlwind together” (<i>Congressional -Record</i>, Vol. XXV, Part I, -p. 865).</p> - -<p>August 8, 1893, Senator Teller said, -in a speech in the United States -Senate:</p> - -<p>“It is the height of folly that this is -a panic caused by distrust of the currency.” -On the 29th of the same -month the Senator from Colorado, referring -to the Williams House meeting -of Secretary Carlisle with the New York -National Bank Presidents, said: “It is -a most remarkable interview; it will go -far to support the charges which I am -not going to make on my own authority, -but which I am going to make -upon the authority of others, that this -panic is a bankers’ panic, brought by -the action of the New York banks, -and brought about for distinct purposes, -which purposes were practically -avowed on the 27th of April. The -same things have been reiterated by -the financial papers, and the policy is -still continued up to the present hour. -It had two objects in view. One was -to secure from the United States a -large issue of bonds, and the other to -secure the repeal of the much-abused -Sherman law.”</p> - -<p>The records show that the bankers -accomplished both of these objects. -They secured the repeal of the purchasing -clause, and afterward the issue of -$262,000,000 in bonds.</p> - -<p>In the same speech Senator Teller -said: “There are many banks in the -West, and some that I know of, which -shut their doors because they could -not draw the money that they had on -deposit in New York” (<i>Congressional -Record</i>, Vol. XXV, Part I, p. 1022).</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_349"></a>[Pg 349]</span></p> - -<p>In its issue of August 20, 1893, the -Chicago <i>Inter-Ocean</i> said:</p> - -<p>“When the future historian tells the -world of the great financial panic of -1893, he will say: ‘In the winter and -spring months of that year the New -York bankers and financiers sowed the -wind, and in the summer months -reaped the whirlwind.’</p> - -<p>“We know of no arrangement of -words that can more graphically describe -the action of the New York -financiers and the results of that action. -Colonel Ingersoll, early in the season of -disturbance, properly called this a -‘bankers’ panic.’ Nor are the New -York bankers alone to blame. Those -of Boston and Philadelphia come in -for their share.”</p> - -<p>But it is useless for me to continue -to pile up testimony to further sustain -my contention. Whether the Panic -Bulletin is a “canard” or not, its suggestions -were carried into effect. The -bankers opposed silver, and, for the -purpose of having the law providing -for its issue repealed, they precipitated -the panic and used the methods described -in the Bulletin to accomplish -their ends. They are opposed to greenbacks, -and if necessary will, I have -no doubt, precipitate another panic in -order to have them retired. And it -all goes to show that the control of the -currency should be taken out of their -hands.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">W. S. Morgan.</span></p> - -<p><i>Hardy, Ark.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="The_Cradle_of_Tears" id="The_Cradle_of_Tears"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>The Cradle of Tears</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY THEODORE DREISER<br /> -<i>Author of “Sister Carrie”</i></p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THERE is a cradle within the -door of one of the great institutions -of New York before -which a constantly recurring tragedy -is being enacted. It is a plain cradle, -quite simply draped in white, but -with such a look of cozy comfort about -it that one would scarcely suspect it to -be a cradle of sorrow.</p> - -<p>A little white bed with a neatly -turned-back coverlet is made up -within it. A long strip of white -muslin, tied in a tasteful bow at the -top, drapes its rounded sides. About -it, but within the precincts of warmth -and comfort, of which it is a fort, -spreads a chamber of silence—a quiet, -solemn, plainly furnished room, the -appearance of which emphasizes the -peculiarity of the cradle itself.</p> - -<p>If the mind were not familiar with -the details with which it is so startlingly -associated, the question would -naturally arise as to what it was doing -there—why it should be standing -there alone. No one seems to be -watching it. It has not the slightest -appearance of usefulness, and yet -there it stands, day after day, and -year after year—a ready prepared -cradle and no infant to live in it.</p> - -<p>And yet this cradle is the most useful -and, in a way, the most inhabited -cradle in the world. Day after day, -and year after year, it is the recipient -of more small wayfaring souls than -any other cradle in the world. In it -the real children of sorrow are placed, -and over it more tears are shed than -if it were an open grave.</p> - -<p>It is the place where annually 1,200 -foundlings are placed, many of them -by mothers who are too helpless or -too unfortunately environed to be -further able to care for their child, -and the misery which compels it -makes of the little open crib a cradle -of tears.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_350"></a>[Pg 350]</span></p> - -<p>The interest of this particular cradle -is, that it has been the silent witness of -more truly heartbreaking scenes than -any other cradle since the world began. -For nearly thirty-five years it has stood -where it does today, ready-draped, open, -while as many thousand mothers have -stolen shamefacedly in and, after looking -hopelessly about, have laid their -helpless offspring within its depths.</p> - -<p>For thirty-five years, winter and -summer, in the bitterest cold and the -most stifling heat, it has seen them -come—the poor, the rich; the humble, -the proud; the beautiful, the homely—and -one by one they have laid their -children down and brooded over them, -wondering whether it were possible -for human love to make so great a -sacrifice and yet not die.</p> - -<p>And then when the child has been -actually sacrificed, when by the simple -act of releasing their hold upon it and -turning away they have actually allowed -it to pass out from their love -and tenderness into the world unknown, -this silent cradle has seen -them smite their hands in anguish -and yield to such voiceless tempests -of grief as only those know who have -loved much and lost all.</p> - -<p>The circumstances under which this -peculiar charity comes to be a part of -the life of the great metropolis need -not be rehearsed here. The heartlessness -of men, the frailty of women, the -brutality of all those who sit in judgment -in spite of the fact that they do -not wish to be judged themselves, is -so old and so commonplace that its -repetition is almost a weariness.</p> - -<p>Still the tragedy repeats itself, and -year after year, and day after day the -unlocked door is opened and dethroned -virtue enters—the victim of -ignorance and passion and affection, -and a child is robbed of an honorable -home.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="The_Racing_Trust" id="The_Racing_Trust"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>The Racing Trust</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY THOMAS B. FIELDERS</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">THE only Trust that has the sincere -and earnest and unfaltering -support of the daily press -is the most audacious, the most grasping, -the most immoral of all trusts. This -is the Racing Trust. There are hundreds -of trusts in this country. All -corporations that have eliminated or -lessened competition to a marked degree -are called trusts. It is asserted, -commonly, that such combinations are -against the laws of the states that form -the Union and are in opposition to the -Federal Constitution. If the Beef -Trust or the Sugar Trust or the Standard -Oil Trust have advocates among the -daily newspapers of the country, these -advocates are not earning their salt, -to say nothing of their salaries. The -only support they have the courage to -give is silence. Yet it has to be proven -that these trusts have infringed the -law.</p> - -<p>In the case of the Racing Trust there -is no doubt. There is none to deny -that it is an absolute monopoly. It -conducts business in open defiance of -the law and the Constitution. It has -the avarice of a miser, and the impudent -shamelessness of a courtezan. -All who will help to fill its maw are -received with open arms. Lacking -morals, it expects none of its patrons. -Within its portals the scum of humanity -is made as welcome as the cream. -It has its rules, but these are without -and beyond the law, though, curiously, -they are enforced by so-called guardians -of the law. The Beef Trust, by -its rapacious methods, may make vegetarians; -the Racing Trust makes outcasts, -who, sometimes, rise to the dignity<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_351"></a>[Pg 351]</span> -of convicts. The Beef Trust -shuns advertisement; the Racing Trust -welcomes it. Any reputable undertaking -must pay heavily for the support -of the press; the Racing Trust -gets such support in columns per day -for a ridiculously small subvention. -The press poses as a teacher of morality. -In the case of the Racing Trust it -plays the part of a panderer without -getting the price insisted upon by that -unutterable in any other walk of life.</p> - -<p>Americans believe that they possess -a quality of humor that is far superior -to that which bears the hall-mark of -any other nationality. ’Tis a comfortable -belief, for it enables them to -live cheerfully under conditions which -would not be tolerated elsewhere. -There are several kinds of humorists -among us, and of these the men who -make inadequate laws, or laws which -they know will be broken, and the men -who break them and go unpunished -are worthy of more and of a different -sort of attention than they receive. -People growl at the Beef Trust on account -of the high prices of beef, -though Mr. Garfield, who was instructed -by the President to investigate that -Trust, has said that its profits are only -moderate.</p> - -<p>What of the profits of the Racing -Trust? Monte Carlo is described invariably -as the most delectable gold -mine in the world. In ordinary gold -mines the vein may be “pinched out”; -in Monte Carlo it runs on forever. -Games made by gamblers for gamblers -are called games of chance. There -is little humor in your gambler, else he -would recognize the absence of chance. -Many thousands have tried to “break -the bank” at Monte Carlo. Nobody -has succeeded, for while play is conducted -there honestly, the games are -of the “sure thing” variety, as the percentage -is always in favor of the bank. -But the shareholders of the Casino at -Monte Carlo are satisfied with twenty -per cent. per annum on their investment -and, sometimes, get less. And -let it be remembered that in conducting -their business they do not break -the law.</p> - -<p>The Racing Trust would scorn to -accept anything so paltry as twenty -per cent. on its investment, yet it is a -law-breaker for seven months of the -year, on six days of the week, and in -the course of time, doubtless, will -break it on the seventh day of the week -also.</p> - -<p>Laws against gambling have existed -from time beyond count, just as -they have existed against murder and -other crimes against public welfare. -The Constitution of the state of New -York prohibited all kinds of gambling -until 1887. In that year the Legislature -passed the “Ives Pool bill.” -Ives was a member of the Legislature -from this city. Except that he piloted -this particular bill through a legislature -which was paid to adopt it, his -name would have been forgotten. The -bill called by his name suspended the -provisions of the Penal Code relating -to gambling at race-tracks. It limited -racing between May 15 and October -15. It limited racing upon any -track to thirty days. It permitted -bookmaking upon the tracks. In return -for enormous privileges the racing -associations were to pay to the -state five per cent. of their gross receipts. -The law confined gambling to -the tracks, and in order to take full advantage -of it, and also, of course, to -improve the breed of racing stock, -philanthropists of the convict stripe -opened tracks where racing was conducted -at night as well as by day, -in winter as well as in summer. The -manner in which racing was conducted -became a public scandal. The horse -was the principal factor, and, generally, -was used as a means to an end. -There were, of course, owners and trainers -and jockeys who were honest, even -under the Ives Pool law, but these -were very much in a minority. The -“sport” reeked with dishonesty. -Horses were “pulled,” trainers and -jockeys were “stiffened.” Some of -the racing officials not only winked at -“crookedness,” but took part in it. -Unless the starter of those days had a -piece of every “good thing,” it did not -“come off” if he could prevent it.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_352"></a>[Pg 352]</span> -None talked of the improvement “of -the breed” except with tongue in -cheek. “Jobs” were discussed, after -the event, as if they had been meritorious -performances. When these were -the work of trainers and jockeys the -bookmakers were derided; when they -were planned and realized by bookmakers -the latter were cursed. There -was much cursing in those days, -as there was much reason for it, but -the profanity was not due to the failure -of honest, but dishonest effort. -Women as well as men were allowed to -bet, and the race-tracks were hotbeds -of debauchery. The great body of those -who were interested in racing was beyond -the pale. The refuse of the country -camped in New York while the -orgy lasted, and so obnoxious did these -bandits make themselves that an organized -effort was made to induce the -constitutional convention which met -in 1895 to cleanse the state of the filth -which was bred by the Ives Pool law.</p> - -<p>This convention appointed a committee, -whose duty it was to prepare -an address to the people of the state. -The address dealt with the work of -the convention. The committee called -attention to the anti-gambling amendment -adopted by the convention in the -following language: “The passion for -gambling to which the system of lotteries -formerly ministered has found -fresh opportunity under the so-called -Ives Pool bill, and, under color and -pretext of betting upon horse races, is -working widespread demoralization and -ruin among the young and weak -throughout the community. We have -extended the prohibition against lotteries -so as to include pool-selling, -bookmaking and other forms of gambling. -It is claimed that this provision -will array in opposition to the -proposed Constitution a great and unscrupulous -money power; but we appeal -to the virtue and sound judgment -of the people to sustain the position -which we have taken.”</p> - -<p>This address was signed by Messrs. -Joseph H. Choate (Ambassador to -England), Elihu Root, H. T. Cookinham, -Elon R. Brown, Chester B. McLaughlin, -Milo M. Acker, Daniel H. -McMillan and M. H. Hirschberg.</p> - -<p>The anti-gambling amendment, -which was adopted by the convention -with only four dissenting votes, was as -follows:</p> - -<p>“The delegates of the People of the -state of New York, in convention assembled, -do propose as follows:</p> - -<p>“Section 10 of Article I of the Constitution -is hereby amended so as to -read: ‘No law shall be passed abridging -the right of the people peaceably -to assemble and to petition the Government -or any department thereof; -nor shall any divorce be granted otherwise -than by judicial proceedings; <i>nor -shall any lottery or the sale of lottery -tickets, pool-selling, bookmaking or any -kind of gambling hereafter be authorized -or allowed within this state, and -the Legislature shall pass appropriate -laws to prevent offenses against any of -the provisions of this section</i>.’”</p> - -<p>The “great and unscrupulous money -power” to which Mr. Choate and his -associates alluded was that of the racing -associations. Their power was felt -in the convention, and some of those -who discussed the amendment prior to -its adoption claimed that it was offered -at the suggestion of one set of -gamblers (poolroom keepers) against -another set of gamblers (the racing -associations). This was true enough. -The racing associations were as grasping -then as they are now. Their members -claimed that the poolroom was a -nefarious and demoralizing influence. -Why? Because it prevented the racing -associations from having a monopoly of -the petty as well as the big gamblers’ -money—of the cash of those who had -not time to go to the races as well as -of those who were unable to go. The -engines of the law were stoked up and -run full tilt against the poolrooms at -the behest of the racing associations; -therefore, in self-defense, the poolroom -keepers were anxious that all gamblers -should be placed on the same level; -hence the anti-gambling amendment -to the Constitution. Mr. Telusky, who -offered the amendment as a resolution, -said that if any member of the convention<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_353"></a>[Pg 353]</span> -“can name one man in the -state of New York that is in the bookmaking -business that is not a thief, a -blackguard or an ex-convict, I will -withdraw my resolution. I say, Mr. -President, every bookmaker in the -state of New York, no matter where he -comes from, is nothing but an ex-convict, -a cracksman, a pickpocket, a thief -of the lowest character, and these men -come here and desire to shut this -(amendment) out because the Legislature -of a few years ago legalized a certain -kind of gambling, and they are -trying to protect them.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Edward Lauterbach paid his -compliments to the racing associations -in plain language. “Their nefarious -establishments,” he said, “have -been erected from Montauk Point to -Niagara Falls, and the state treasury -has received and distributed to the -county fairs a few miserable shekels, -which it has reserved as its share of the -plunder. <i>Why, for every dollar that the -state has received, it has expended ten -dollars to support those who have become -inmates of its prisons by reason of the -weak policy so pursued.</i> You are all -familiar with the terrible temptation of -this alluring vice. The passion of -gambling is pandered to in this fashion -in the most insidious manner. Exaggerated -accounts of great winnings -are presented to the readers of every -journal. Tens of thousands of young -men and women have been hurled to -their ruin through the instrumentality -of the state that should have protected -them. Gambling has already -been made unlawful. If anyone desires -to legalize any one branch of gambling -by the suggestion of proposed -amendment (to the anti-gambling -amendment), let us say to him, Never. -Let us pass this amendment, so that, -once enacted into a law, it may carry -out its beneficent purpose and not -prove a sham and a deceit. Just as it -was as reported let us have this amendment—no -subterfuge, no change, no -alterations; make no halfway work. -Sweep the whole brood together—gamblers, -pool-sellers, bookmakers, all the -racing fraternity—into oblivion forever. -Pass this amendment now, as it is, -unaltered and unchanged. True horse -fanciers—the Bonners, the Lorillards, -the Belmonts, the Keenes and the rest—will -thank you for the protection -you thus afford to their legitimate pursuit. -Only the gambler, who should -be a pariah and an outcast, and not -the state’s associate, will have cause -for regret.”</p> - -<p>It was said at the time that the -racing associations and the bookmakers -had collected a fund of $700,000, -and intended to use it in buying -enough votes in the convention to -defeat the anti-gambling amendment. -Who said it? The newspapers. True? -Not at all likely. The racing associations -were able to raise such a fund, -but would have got little assistance -from the bookmakers. The latter were -an asset of the racing associations -and knew it; they must be taken care -of. ’Twas said, when Mr. Jerome was -at Albany championing the Dowling -bill, that the gamblers of New York -had contributed $100,000 for the purchase -of the Black Horse Cavalry in -the Legislature. The press gave Troy -as the headquarters of the gamblers’ -committee. There was no such committee. -The gamblers of New York, -including Canfield, who had more at -stake than any other gambler, did not -contribute a dollar for the purpose of -killing the Dowling bill. The latter -was passed with surprising ease in -Assembly and Senate, and had become -a law before the “clever division” -had begun to think of the possibility -of such a result. This law, in the hands -of Mr. Jerome, has proved rather embarrassing -to the gambling fraternity, -and may give him an opportunity of -distinguishing himself in a manner -after his own heart before many weeks -have passed.</p> - -<p>The anti-gambling amendment to -the Constitution was ratified by a popular -majority of nearly 90,000 votes. -Some of the voters believed, doubtless, -that it would eliminate betting on -race-tracks. These forgot that the -amendment was of little worth unless -the Legislature made such gambling<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_354"></a>[Pg 354]</span> -an offense and also made a punishment -to fit the offense. The Legislature -which followed the adoption of -the Constitution was “open to reason.” -How much money was required to -salve its conscience I do not know, but -the manner in which it replied to the -demand of the popular vote shows that -it was dishonest. By the anti-gambling -clause of the Constitution it was -ordered to “pass appropriate laws to -prevent offenses against any of the -provisions of this section.” Instead -of obeying such mandate it adopted -the Percy-Gray law, which makes -gambling in poolrooms a felony and -gambling on race-tracks a misdemeanor. -In other words, if the keeper of a poolroom -takes a bet on a horse race he -commits a felony and can be sent to -jail, for according to the law he has -committed a penal offense, whereas -if a bookmaker accepts your money on -the same race he does not commit a -felony and you are at liberty to publish -yourself as a poor sort of creature -by attempting to recover your money -by civil action. Class legislation? It -looks like it. But class legislation is -unconstitutional. That is the general -opinion, but in this particular case -many thousands of dollars have been -spent in an effort to discover whether -or not the present racing law is unconstitutional, -and the dollars have been -thrown away.</p> - -<p>The situation would be amusing did -it not demonstrate the power of money. -To the average mind it would seem as -if the constitutional convention had -barred all kinds of gambling, particularly -gambling on race-tracks. Yet, -under the fostering care of the Racing -Trust, the volume of gambling at race-tracks -is at least thrice as great today -as it was in 1895. Before the convention -met the Racing Trust was permitted -to do business for five months -in the year; now it does business for -seven months. Under the Ives Pool -law, which was wiped out as vicious, -the tracks were limited to thirty days -of racing; now the Jockey Club does as -it pleases in the matter of dates. -Under a law which is, upon its face, -unconstitutional because it discriminates, -the Racing Commission, a state -institution, has the power to issue or -refuse licenses. The Racing Commission -is under the control of the Jockey -Club, and the latter is the ruler of the -racing associations. The Jockey Club, -of which Mr. August Belmont is the -head, is lord of all it surveys in the -metropolitan circuit, to say nothing of -the Bennings race-track, in which a -majority of the stock is owned by Mr. -Belmont. Racing began at Bennings -on March 23, and its dates are not included -in the seven months of racing in -the metropolitan circuit.</p> - -<p>In this circuit there are seven tracks, -not counting the Buffalo track, which -is controlled by the Racing Trust. -The track at Morris Park, the most -picturesque race-course in the United -States, has been relegated to obscurity, -as it was not owned by the Racing -Trust, but was leased at an annual -rental of $45,000. Belmont Park, -which is owned by Mr. August Belmont, -the head of the Racing Trust, has -taken its place. The associations -which are controlled by the Racing -Trust are capitalized as follows:</p> - -<table summary=" " cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> - <tbody> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Westchester Racing Association (Belmont Park)</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">$1,500,000</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Queens County Jockey Club (Aqueduct)</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">700,000</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Metropolitan jockey Club (Jamaica)</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">550,000</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Coney Island Jockey Club (Sheepshead Bay)</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">525,000</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Brooklyn Jockey Club (Gravesend)</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">500,000</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Brighton Beach Racing Association</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">300,000</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Buffalo Racing Association</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">200,000</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Saratoga Association for the Improvement of the Breed of Horses</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">50,000</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl pad">Total</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 bt">$4,325,000</td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p>These figures were obtained from the -Secretary of State, the Hon. John F. -O’Brien. In any calculations that -may be made the capitalization of Belmont -Park should be eliminated and -the rental of Morris Park, $45,000, substituted -for $1,500,000, in order to -show how thriving a concern the Racing -Trust is. It will be understood, of -course, that the capitalization of these -concerns may be a trifle, just a trifle, -higher than the actual value of the -said tracks and appurtenances, except -in the case of the Saratoga track, which -was built solely “for the improvement -of the breed of horses.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_355"></a>[Pg 355]</span></p> - -<p>For the right to do business on these -tracks the Racing Trust pays, or is -supposed to pay, to the state five per -cent. upon the gross earnings of said -tracks. Among the duties of the -Racing Commission is the supervision -of these receipts. The commission consists -of Messrs. August Belmont, John -Sanford and E. D. Morgan. Mr. Belmont -is the president of the Westchester -Racing Association (Belmont Park), -and the largest owner of stock in the -Racing Trust. Mr. Sanford is the -power at Saratoga, and does not race -until the season opens at the Spa. -Attached to the Racing Commission -is a State Inspector of Races. Until he -was appointed to a position in the Internal -Revenue Department the place -was filled by Charles W. Anderson, a -colored man. Reports of gross receipts -are made to the State Comptroller -by the racing associations and -by the State Inspector of Races. It -is not impossible that the latter official -takes such figures as are offered to him, -and it is difficult to imagine that he -ever objected to them on the score of -inaccuracy or any other score.</p> - -<p>The reports of gross receipts made -by the members of the Racing Trust -to the State Comptroller for the years -1900, 1901, 1902, 1903 and 1904 are as -follows (the figures were obtained -from the State Comptroller, the Hon. -Otto Kelsey):</p> - -<table summary=" " cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> - <tbody> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdc">1900.</td> - <td class="tdc">1901.</td> - <td class="tdc">1902.</td> - <td class="tdc">1903.</td> - <td class="tdc">1904.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Coney Island Jockey Club</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">$494,895.06</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">$640,327.97</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">$820,184.18</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">$903,128.84</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">$854,421.20</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Brooklyn Jockey Club</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">474,887.88</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">593,472.72</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">761,394.65</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">790,054.07</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">731,559.26</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Brighton Beach</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">307,311.30</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">407,611.75</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">502,940.25</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">559,348.00</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">626,837.10</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Westchester</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">323,041.23</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">432,187.86</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">571,178.79</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">623,131.27</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">566,143.62</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Saratoga</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">137,248.21</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">272,612.24</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">359,342.40</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">439,649.49</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">393,550.09</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Metropolitan</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">355,270.70</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">307,396.03</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Queens</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">164,555.14</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">225,417.69</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">324,177.82</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">282,900.88</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">218,729.16</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Buffalo</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">62,519.80</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">60,857.63</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">106,489.05</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl pad">Totals</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 bt">$1,901,938.82</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 bt">$2,571,630.23</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 bt">$3,401,737.89</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 bt">$4,014,340.88</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 bt">$3,805,125.51</td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p>The reader will notice the exactness -with which the racing associations -make up their gross receipts—the -“twenty cents” of the Coney Island -Jockey Club, the “nine cents” of the -Saratoga “Association for the Improvement -of the Breed of Horses,” -and so on. The reader will notice, -also, that the gross receipts for last -year were $209,215.37 less than those -of 1903, though the press was unanimous -in declaring that last year’s -racing was the greatest, which means -the most profitable of all years. The -five per cent. paid to the state last year -by the Racing Trust amounted to -$190,256.27. This five per cent. is -“the penny in the dollar” alluded to -by Mr. Edward Lauterbach in his address -to the constitutional convention. -But ridiculously small as it is, why does -the Racing Trust give it to the state? -Simply as a sop to the rural legislator -and his constituents. The dweller -in cities may lack some or many of the -virtues, but when it is necessary to -find the highest plane of parsimonious -hypocrisy one must needs pay a visit -to the rural districts. This five per -cent., which smacks so much of Iscariot’s -thirty pieces of silver, is divided -among such agricultural societies as -give annual fairs, and to farmers’ institutes. -Ostensibly it is intended for -the improvement of agriculture; in -reality much of it is given as purses for -trotting races at the said county fairs. -Without the support of the rural element -the Racing Trust would not have -succeeded in getting the adoption of -the Percy-Gray racing law.</p> - -<p>The profits of the Racing Trust are -enormous. Take the Coney Island -Jockey Club, for instance. Mr. Leonard -Jerome, who was a sportsman who -never made money out of sport, built -the Sheepshead Bay track at a cost of -$125,000. The grounds of the Coney -Island Jockey Club belong to the -people and were filched from them by an -act of the Legislature. Improvements -were made since the track was built, -but the actual legal belongings of the -Coney Island Jockey Club are worth -far less than the amount of the capital -stock, which is $525,000. The gross -receipts of the club for last year, as -reported to the State Comptroller, were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_356"></a>[Pg 356]</span> -$854,421.20. Of what did these consist? -It was said that the attendance -on “big days” last year numbered -from 40,000 to 50,000. Put it at 35,000, -and the money taken in for admission, -boxes and clubhouse seats and -boxes and for “field” admissions -would amount to about $80,000. Then -there are the bookmakers. On more -than one day last year there were 120 -members of the Metropolitan Turf Association -in the ring. They paid $57 -each for the privilege of “laying the -odds.” Back of them were a hundred -layers who paid $37 each. There were -fifty others who paid $27, and as many -more who paid $17 each. Programs -to the number of 40,000 at ten cents -each make $400. Then there are the -bar and restaurant privileges, the commissioners -and many other means of -income, so that the income of one such -day could not be less than $100,000.</p> - -<p>There were thirty days of racing at -Sheepshead Bay last year. The attendance, -according to the daily press, -was “enormous,” “record-breaking,” -“large” or “highly satisfactory.” The -“highly satisfactory” days were the -smallest of the season, which shows the -difference between English as it is understood -by “sporting” writers in the -daily press and those who are able to -distinguish the difference between fact -and fancy. If the average daily attendance -were not more than 12,500, -it and the other sources of revenue -would mean about $35,000 per day.</p> - -<table summary=" " cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> - <tbody> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Thirty days’ racing at $35,000 per day</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">$1,050,000</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Expenses of all kinds at $10,000 per day</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">300,000</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl pad">Balance in favor of the club</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 bt">$750,000</td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p>The sum of $10,000 per day will -cover all the expenses, including added -money, at Sheepshead Bay. According -to such calculation and taking the -club’s figures of gross receipts as correct, -the result would be like this:</p> - -<table summary=" " cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> - <tbody> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Receipts for thirty days’ racing</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">$854,421.20</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Expenses for thirty days’ racing at $10,000 per day</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">300,000.00</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl pad">Balance in favor of the club</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 bt">$554,421.20</td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p>These figures show that the profits -of the Coney Island Jockey Club for -<i>thirty days</i> of racing are more than the -full amount of its capital stock. Some -years ago, when racing was conducted -on a smaller scale, this stock paid 56 -per cent. per annum. Unless a lot of -money is packed away in a reserve -fund, the stock should pay dollar for -dollar now, and the state still gets the -“penny in the dollar.”</p> - -<p>Much of the income was contributed -by the chief factors at a race-course—the -men who own and race horses; and -one of the most interesting features of -a race meeting, to members of the Racing -Trust, is the fact that the men who -own the horses are racing for money -contributed, in great part, by themselves. -The money added by the -racing associations is often less than -the amounts furnished by owners of -horses that have been entered for a -race. Much stress is laid upon the fact -that $2,601,160 was won in purses last -year on the tracks of the metropolitan -circuit and Bennings. This amount, -large as it may seem, was so distributed -that very few owners paid much -more than expenses, while a far larger -number lost much money. Four hundred -and thirty-eight stables or owners -were among the winners, and a glance -at the following table will show that -the losers were in a large majority.</p> - -<p class="center">OWNERS AND WINNINGS</p> - -<table summary=" " cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> - <tbody> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Herman B. Duryea</td> - <td class="tdr">$200,043</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">James R. Keene</td> - <td class="tdr">164,940</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">E. R. Thomas</td> - <td class="tdr">151,210</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sydney Paget</td> - <td class="tdr">133,441</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Newton Bennington</td> - <td class="tdr">104,210</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">John A. Drake</td> - <td class="tdr">99,480</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">S. S. Brown</td> - <td class="tdr">82,472</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">R. T. Wilson, Jr.</td> - <td class="tdr">69,115</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">John E. Madden</td> - <td class="tdr">55,830</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Goughacres Stable</td> - <td class="tdr">50,084</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Thomas Hitchcock, Jr.</td> - <td class="tdr">44,540</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">W. B. Jennings</td> - <td class="tdr">34,605</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">M. L. Hayman</td> - <td class="tdr">34,330</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">John Sanford</td> - <td class="tdr">33,435</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">W. B. Leeds</td> - <td class="tdr">32,320</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">L. V. Bell</td> - <td class="tdr">31,520</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">J. W. Colt</td> - <td class="tdr">23,130</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Waldeck Stable</td> - <td class="tdr">23,050</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">M. Corbett</td> - <td class="tdr">22,445</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">J. L. McGinnis</td> - <td class="tdr">21,400</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Andrew Miller</td> - <td class="tdr">20,155</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Frank Farrell</td> - <td class="tdr">19,980</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">W. C. Daly</td> - <td class="tdr">18,495</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">“Mr. Cotton”</td> - <td class="tdr">18,135</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">“Mr. Chamblet”</td> - <td class="tdr">17,605</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">P. Lorillard</td> - <td class="tdr">17,290<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_357"></a>[Pg 357]</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">J. E. Widener</td> - <td class="tdr">16,970</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">C. F. Fox</td> - <td class="tdr">16,810</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">A. L. Aste</td> - <td class="tdr">16,705</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">S. Deimel</td> - <td class="tdr">16,605</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">J. McLaughlin</td> - <td class="tdr">16,490</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">E. W. Jewett</td> - <td class="tdr">16,165</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">August Belmont</td> - <td class="tdr">15,745</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Columbia Stable</td> - <td class="tdr">15,317</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">W. Lakeland</td> - <td class="tdr">15,220</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Boston Stable</td> - <td class="tdr">14,765</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">H. T. Griffin</td> - <td class="tdr">14,555</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">F. R. Hitchcock</td> - <td class="tdr">14,405</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">J. G. Greener</td> - <td class="tdr">14,200</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Albemarle Stable</td> - <td class="tdr">12,895</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">T. L. Watt</td> - <td class="tdr">12,755</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">E. E. Smathers</td> - <td class="tdr">12,695</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">N. Dyment</td> - <td class="tdr">11,900</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">U. Z. De Arman</td> - <td class="tdr">11,080</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Oneck Stable</td> - <td class="tdr">10,600</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">John J. Ryan</td> - <td class="tdr">10,515</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">W. M. Sheftel</td> - <td class="tdr">10,515</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">W. L. Oliver</td> - <td class="tdr">10,425</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">P. J. Dwyer</td> - <td class="tdr">10,382</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Joseph E. Seagram</td> - <td class="tdr">9,305</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mrs. J. Blute</td> - <td class="tdr">9,305</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">David Gideon (9 horses)</td> - <td class="tdr">9,230</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">H. C. Schulz</td> - <td class="tdr">8,910</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">W. F. Fanshawe</td> - <td class="tdr">8,775</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">J. L. Holland</td> - <td class="tdr">8,765</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">C. E. Rowe</td> - <td class="tdr">8,475</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">F. R. Docter</td> - <td class="tdr">8,440</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">J. W. Schorr</td> - <td class="tdr">8,295</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">R. H. McCarter Potter</td> - <td class="tdr">8,060</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">National Stable</td> - <td class="tdr">7,805</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">J. C. Yeager</td> - <td class="tdr">7,720</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">H. J. Morris</td> - <td class="tdr">7,600</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Fairview</td> - <td class="tdr">7,405</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">T. D. Sullivan</td> - <td class="tdr">7,335</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Frederick Johnson</td> - <td class="tdr">7,260</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Chelsea Stable</td> - <td class="tdr">7,090</td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p>In addition to the foregoing, 155 -stables won between $1,000 and $7,000 -each. Some of these stables had as -many as a dozen starters who “figured -in the money.” Stables or owners -to the number of 217 won between -$100 and $1,000 each. Of this number -fifty-four were in the $100 class. -The average winnings for the 438 -stables were $5,938, which sum tells -a doleful tale for a majority of them, -as the expenses of one thoroughbred -and its owner for a year cannot well -be squeezed into $5,938, unless the -horse’s diet is restricted to hay and -the owner lives at a Mills hotel. Mr. -Keene’s winnings were $164,940. That -amount about paid his racing expenses -for the year.</p> - -<p>All of which, I think, goes to prove -that the Racing Trust is more anxious -to make and increase enormous profits -than to improve the breed of horses. -And everybody is aware that such -enormous profits are made only by -violation of the Constitution of the -state, and that, while gambling in poolrooms -and elsewhere has been made -difficult and dangerous, no effort has -been made by the authorities to interfere -with it on the tracks of the Racing -Trust.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="Dependence" id="Dependence"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Dependence</i></h2></div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0"><span class="bigfont">N</span>OT that there are not “other eyes</span> - <span class="i2">In Spain” as bright as yours can be,</span> - <span class="i0">But that no eyes in all the world</span> - <span class="i2">Can ever seem as bright to me.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">Not that there are not lips as sweet</span> - <span class="i2">Kissed daily by each separate wind,</span> - <span class="i0">But that no other lips to me</span> - <span class="i2">Can seem so sweet, can be so kind.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">Sweetheart, I own myself your slave</span> - <span class="i2">Because you own yourself my thrall;</span> - <span class="i0">I—with so little, dear, to give;</span> - <span class="i2">You—who so gladly give me all.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="right"><span class="smcap">Reginald Wright Kauffman.</span></div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_358"></a>[Pg 358]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="What_Buzz-Saw_Morgan_Thinks" id="What_Buzz-Saw_Morgan_Thinks"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>What Buzz-Saw Morgan Thinks</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY W. S. MORGAN</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">PATERNALISM is preferable to -infernalism.</p> - -<p>When the gentleman with the -cloven hoof collects what is coming to -him there won’t be many bag barons -left.</p> - -<p>The Beef Trust does business on a -sliding scale; the price they pay slides -down, and the price they sell at slides -up.</p> - -<p>A pauper lives off the public, and so -do those who make their money -through special privileges granted them -by law.</p> - -<p>As Bryan is losing prestige with the -people he is becoming more popular -with the plutocrats.</p> - -<p>The United States Senate should be -rechristened and called the Corporations’ -Cuckoo’s nest.</p> - -<p>The way to make the cuss-toady-ans -of public interests more amenable to -our will is to have ready an Imperative -Mandate lariat.</p> - -<p>Yes, the trusts are in the people’s -pasture, and they got in over Republican -and Democratic fences.</p> - -<p>It is better that a whole lot of business -shall be “hurted” than that the -trusts should continue to rob the people -and be a standing menace to free -government.</p> - -<p>The Governor of Kansas is right; -building a state refinery is not Socialism; -it is competition, just what the -Populists stand for.</p> - -<p>The trusts also have “big sticks.”</p> - -<p>The Standard Oil Company has outlawed -itself and ought to be “swatted” -off the face of the earth.</p> - -<p>The bandit bag barons are going to -have some hard sledding from now -on.</p> - -<p>If the concentration of wealth means -the destruction of the republic, then -the people have a right to stop the concentration -of wealth.</p> - -<p>The fact that the trusts are now in -control of the railroads is another reason -why the Government should own -them.</p> - -<p>An economic principle that does not -rest upon a moral basis should receive -no support from honest men.</p> - -<p>Every applicant for a special legalized -privilege is an enemy to good government.</p> - -<p>It is the men who are always hammering -at the doors of legislation for -special privileges that want “something -for nothing.”</p> - -<p>The greatest power in the world is -that which controls the volume of -money, and the Republicans are talking -about turning that power over to a -few private buccaneers.</p> - -<p>When the very rich men are called -by their right names there will not be -such a scramble to get rich.</p> - -<p>It is to be hoped that in this fight -with the trusts and railroad corporations -that “big stick” of Teddy’s will -not prove to be a stuffed club.</p> - -<p>If Uncle Sam wants to mix his credit -with anybody’s let him mix it with -that of the farmers. Their security is -better than bonds.</p> - -<p>More that half of the men in the -United States Senate wear corporation -collars.</p> - -<p>If all the big thieves were sentenced -to jail we should have to turn the little -thieves out in order to make room for -them.</p> - -<p>I challenge anyone to point out a -single instance in this country where -the national bankers have made a -recommendation in the interests of the -people. It is always a jug-handled -proposition in their favor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_359"></a>[Pg 359]</span></p> - -<p>One of the biggest pieces of foolishness -in this old world of ours is for -Uncle Sam to make free money for the -bankers to loan, and then borrow that -same money for his own use.</p> - -<p>Unless there is some change made in -the manner of selecting United States -senators, that body of corporation attorneys -would better be abolished.</p> - -<p>So insignificant was the last Presidential -candidate of the Democratic -Party that a great many voters have -already forgotten his name.</p> - -<p>The country is now ready for the -election of United States senators by -the people instead of the corporations, -but that body of august lawmakers will -block every effort in that direction.</p> - -<p>If there is no other way to prevent -corporations from violating the law -they should be denied its protection, -just like other outlaws. A dose of that -kind of medicine would soon bring -them to their milk.</p> - -<p>The decision of the North Sea Commission -seems to be based upon the -principle (if it has a principle) that a -naval commander has a right to fire -at anything that frightens him.</p> - -<p>If the packers didn’t steal their immense -fortunes from the people, whom -did they steal them from?</p> - -<p>A “reasonable rate,” as interpreted -by the railroad companies, is all the -honey except barely enough to keep -the bees from starving to death.</p> - -<p>There has already been a good deal -of water squeezed out of Standard Oil -stock; now, if some process can be -brought forward that will squeeze the -water out of the oil the company sells, -it will be better yet.</p> - -<p>The great trusts have shown that -they have no regard for “vested rights.” -They have “frozen out” the smaller -concerns without mercy. Why, then, -should they object to a little of the -“freezing” process, if the Government -or states decide to go into the oil business -on their own account?</p> - -<p>If the Socialists insist on turning the -world over at one flip, like turning a -pancake, before they can start the -show, they are following a mighty cold -trail. If they are willing to go by the -usual road of evolution there is no reason -why they and the Populists should -not work together, for awhile at least.</p> - -<p>The man who is wholly controlled by -sentiment is not fit to vote. Voting -is a business proposition and demands -both intelligence and good judgment.</p> - -<p>It seems to be the policy of lawmakers -in this country to grant special -privileges to the rich and powerful, and -to permit them to impose upon the -weak, and this condition will remain -just so long as men will submit to being -robbed.</p> - -<p>The men who prate most about -“vested rights” and “law and order” -are the ones who violate them most.</p> - -<p>When the Government thought the -express companies were charging the -people too much for the transmission of -money it went into the money-order -business itself. What was the result? -Why, the express companies had to -come to the rate established by the Government -or get none of the business. -It was purely a matter of business, and -that’s the way to do it.</p> - -<p>It was the “battle-scared” bag -barons that discredited government -paper money during the Civil War between -the states. Yet it is from -these men that we hear most about -“national honor” and “public credit.” -They are the same class of men of -whom honest old Abe Lincoln said: -“They ought to be hanged”; and the -country would have fared better ever -since if they had been.</p> - -<p>Nearly every civilized nation in the -world owns all or a part of its system -of railroad and telegraph lines, and -they have no disposition to turn them -over to private corporations. The -United States alone permits a few -wealthy buccaneers to levy taxes on -the people which no government would -dare do. An increase of three cents per -bushel on corn alone means a tax of -fifty millions of dollars to the men who -produce that cereal.</p> - -<p>Until recently the national bankers -paid the Government one per cent. -on the money the Government loaned -them. Then they claimed that it was -too much to pay for the use of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_360"></a>[Pg 360]</span> -money and the credit of the Government, -and Congress reduced the rate -to one-half of one per cent. But the -banker has no conscientious scruples -about loaning this money to the people -at eight and ten per cent.</p> - -<p>The railroad companies admit that -they violate the law by granting rebates, -but set up the claim that if they -did not do it they would lose their -share of the traffic. It is a very singular -plea. It is not half as just as the -one that a man steals because he is -hungry, or because his wife and children -are suffering for the necessaries of -life. “We violate the law because -somebody else does,” say the railroad -companies. Suppose that every criminal -would set up the same excuse for -the commission of crime. And ordinary -criminals have a better right to -make that plea in palliation for their -crime than the trusts and corporations -have. If, as they admit, the railroad -managers are so dishonest that one -must violate the law because another -does, if there is no way to restrain them -except to turn the whole matter over -to them, and permit them to pool their -earnings so that one thief can watch the -other thieves, it is about time to abolish -the whole system of private ownership -and for the Government to take -charge of the lines of transportation. -The railroad companies make out the -worst kind of a case against themselves. -They admit that there are enough law-breakers -among them to demoralize the -whole system.</p> - -<p>The public has heard a good deal -about legislation that would discourage -capital from being invested in the state -enacting the legislation. It has been -said that the passage of laws calculated -to regulate the business of large corporations -would have the effect of driving -them away. Kansas just now is giving -us an object-lesson along this line. -The laws recently passed by the Legislature -in that state are perhaps the -most drastic in their nature ever -passed by any state for the control and -regulation of corporations, yet the prospect -is that more capital will go to that -state than ever before. Although the -state is now engaged in building an oil -refinery, there are several other independent -refineries projected, with a -good prospect for more to come. It is -evident that capital has not as much -to fear from the people, when it is -legitimately invested and operated, as -it has from the arrogant aggressions of -such enormous concerns as the Standard -Oil Company that will brook no -competition. If capital will be satisfied -with a fair profit it has nothing to fear -from the people, while, on the other -hand, independent concerns that operate -legitimately in any line of business -have much to fear from the great trusts -that have been built up through favors -granted them by railroads and municipalities.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="f120"><i>Flying the Kite</i></p> - -<p class="drop-cap">HUDSON—Do you think they will be able to get along on $10,000 a year?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Budson</span>—They ought to. With that much money they should manage -to run in debt for another ten thousand.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The rich man may defy the laws of the land and keep out of prison, but when -he gets dyspepsia from eating things out of season he realizes that he -can’t defy the laws of nature.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_361"></a>[Pg 361]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="The_Heritage_of_Maxwell_Fair" id="The_Heritage_of_Maxwell_Fair"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>The Heritage of Maxwell Fair</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY VINCENT HARPER<br /> -<i>Author of “A Mortgage on the Brain”</i></p> - -<h3>SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS</h3> - -<p class="blockquot space-below2">Maxwell Fair, an Englishman who has amassed a -colossal fortune on ’Change, inherits from his ancestors -a remarkable tendency to devote his life to some -object, generally a worthy, if peculiar one, which is -extravagantly chivalrous. The story opens with Fair -and Mrs. Fair standing over the body of a man who -has just been shot in their house—a foreigner, who -had claimed to be an old friend of Mrs. Fair. Fair -sends her to her room, saying: “Leave everything to -me.” He hides the body in a chest, and decides to -close the house “for a trip on the Continent.” Fair -tells the governess, Kate Mettleby, that he loves her; -that there is no dishonor in his love, in spite of Mrs. -Fair’s existence, and that, until an hour ago, he -thought he could marry her—could “break the self-imposed -conditions of his weird life-purpose.” They -are interrupted before Kate, who really loves him, is -made to understand. While the Fairs are entertaining -a few old friends at dinner, Kate, not knowing that -it contains Mrs. Fair’s blood-stained dress, is about to -hide a parcel in the chest when she is startled by the -entrance of Samuel Ferret, a detective from Scotland -Yard. He tells her that he, with other detectives, is -shadowing the foreign gentleman who came to the -Fair house that day and has not yet left it. He persuades -Kate to promise that she will follow the suspect -when he leaves the house and then report at Scotland -Yard. As soon as Ferret is gone she lifts the lid off -the chest, drops the package into it, and, with a -shriek, falls fainting to the floor. Mr. and Mrs. Fair -run to her aid. On being revived Kate goes to Scotland -Yard, where, in her anxiety to shield Maxwell -Fair from suspicion, she inadvertently leads the detectives -to think that a crime has been committed at -the Fair house. The two detectives are piecing -together the real facts from the clues she has given, -when Ferret is summoned to the telephone by his -associate Wilson, whom he had left on guard in the -home of the Fairs.</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">“HELLO, Wilson!” He began -speaking to his distant -lieutenant. “Yes—yes. -No? By George! Yes, yes. Good, -good! With you in ten minutes.”</p> - -<p>He hung up the receiver and to -Sharpe’s impatient gesture replied: -“Wilson says the quarry is up. -Mendes the Cuban has just left the -house, with Thorpe following to see -where he goes. And now there’s the -very devil to pay. Wilson is hot on the -trail. So I’m off.”</p> - -<p>“If anything goes wrong, call me -up,” said Sharpe, keenly enjoying the -play of the big fish that he would -have safely landed by a day or two.</p> - -<p>“Right you are! Ta, ta!”</p> - -<p>Ferret lost no time in reaching the -Fair mansion. The guests were still -at dinner and he could see no trace of -excitement from without. Wilson reported -in detail the sudden appearance -of the Cuban, his hurried flight up the -street with Thorpe at his heels—and -all quiet inside.</p> - -<p>“Who the devil fired that shot, and -at whom was it fired, and what did -pretty Kate mean by her stammering -protests that no crime had been done? -Was the saucy little minx deeper after -all than they thought?” asked Ferret -of himself. He must have a good look -at that library—that was the key to -the thickening mystery. So he stole -up the stairs, but before he could investigate -the fatal library he heard -the family coming up from dinner and -fled to the attic, passing Kate’s door, -which stood ajar, and through which -he saw her on her knees with her face -buried on the bed.</p> - -<h3>CHAPTER VIII</h3> - -<p>As those whose memories run back -thirty years know, Sir Nelson Poynter -owes his baronetcy to his financial -ability and the fact that he made -his huge fortune honestly and always -stood ready to sacrifice himself -at times of threatened panic on -’Change. Essentially a “City man,” -when he became a country gentleman -he established himself in Surrey, -where he could keep an eye on Capel -Court and reach the office in a little -time.</p> - -<p>To Drayton Hall, his princely mansion, -it might be objected that it<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_362"></a>[Pg 362]</span> -was a trifle too pretentious, with its -battlements and towers, but no fault -could be found either with its hospitality -or with the kindly old gentleman -and dear old lady who dispensed -it. A week-end at Drayton was always -charming.</p> - -<p>On the terrace at Drayton on the -day following that on which so much had -transpired at Fair’s town house, Travers -was smoking and reading the paper, -when Allyne sauntered out of a window -and approached him.</p> - -<p>“What! Not gone to church with -the rest, Travers?” he said reprovingly.</p> - -<p>“Dry up, idiot!” replied Travers, not -looking up from his paper. “Church? -Why, hang it, did you ever hear the -curate here read? He’s the worst I -ever heard—except the vicar himself. -And their sermons—lord! I wonder -where Poynter ever unearthed these -two mummies.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, come, I say; no heresy now,” -protested Allyne, sitting on the balustrade -of the terrace. “But, I say, old -chap,” he added, knocking the newspaper -out of Travers’s hand, “what -a funk poor Fair has got into! What -the deuce is in the wind, anyway?”</p> - -<p>“Give it up,” answered Travers, -growing serious at once; “but I know -one thing. You and I have some -decidedly nasty experience of some -sort in store for us tonight, see if we -haven’t. You are going up to town -with him this afternoon, he tells me. -So am I.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” answered Allyne, also grown -serious; “he wants us to spend the -night with him in Carlton House -Terrace—going over his papers, that -sort of thing. The poor devil is -regularly bowled over for some reason. -Queer turn for him to take—the -coolest man I ever met, you know. -I’m half inclined to believe that the -speculative strain of the last year has -been too much for him—in fact, that -his mind is threatened; I do indeed.”</p> - -<p>“Nonsense!” exclaimed Travers impatiently. -“And for heaven’s sake, -don’t let him suspect that you feel -in any such way about it! Why, man, -he cares no more about the ups and -downs on ’Change than you care about -my books. I was with him the day -he dropped eighty thousand pounds -in Kaffirs a few years ago, and I could -not get him to care about it as much -as he should have done, for it was no -laughing matter with him at that -time. No, Allyne, my boy, Fair’s -troubles are not financial—and as for -women——”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that’s the difficulty,” broke -in Allyne. “If it were almost any -other man, one might say, ‘Find the -lady in the puzzle’; but Fair is an -iced edition of Sir Galahad. But whatever -it is, he has a horror of some kind -eating out that big, warm, pure heart -of his. And, Travers, old man, we -must get at the truth tonight and save -him.”</p> - -<p>“Right you are,” answered Travers -heartily; “but I have my doubts as -to our ability to get inside of him. -He’s so beastly—But hush—here -they come from church.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke Fair and Lady Poynter -strolled quietly up the gravel path -toward the terrace, followed shortly -by Sir Nelson, who was pointing out -his splendid flowers to Mrs. March.</p> - -<p>“Good morning,” said Travers and -Allyne in concert, rising to meet them.</p> - -<p>“You naughty boys,” scolded little -old Lady Poynter, shaking a finger -at the unregenerate pair. “Not at -church—and such a lovely sermon, -too!”</p> - -<p>“All about loving one another,” -commented Mrs. March, coming up. -“Lovely? I should say so.”</p> - -<p>“And delivered in a voice of tepid -silk,” remarked Fair, with so much -spirit that Travers and Allyne looked -at each other relieved.</p> - -<p>“By Jove, you know, the vicar’s -voice is a bit trying after the first -five minutes, is it not?” said Sir -Nelson, who invariably slumbered after -the period he mentioned, during the -sermon.</p> - -<p>“Well, trying or not, we all eat, do -we not?” remarked Lady Poynter. -“So I’m off to hurry luncheon, for I -want you all to drive over to the -Derwents’ this afternoon, and I can’t<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_363"></a>[Pg 363]</span> -persuade Mr. Fair to stop tonight. In -half an hour—and till then be -good.”</p> - -<p>The good old soul went away into -the house to stir up the servants, -and Sir Nelson, taking Fair’s arm, -said: “Fair, what was it you wanted to -say?”</p> - -<p>“Ah, yes,” answered Fair, smiling; -“if Mrs. March will forgive me for -leaving her to be bored by these two -schoolboys, I’ll have a little chat with -you, Sir Nelson, in the library.”</p> - -<p>“Pray don’t mind me,” jauntily -returned Mrs. March. “I am going -to send Mr. Allyne off to the church -to fetch my prayer-book, which I -left there, and Mr. Travers and I always -get on famously. Trot away, all -of you.”</p> - -<p>“Come on, Fair,” growled Sir Nelson, -pulling at Fair’s sleeve. “Allyne, -you seem to be in luck—it’s only two -miles to the church! Come, Fair.”</p> - -<p>They walked along the terrace, and -Allyne, glaring at Mrs. March, vaulted -over the balustrade and began the hot -walk to the parish church through the -park.</p> - -<p>When he was out of sight Travers -ventured to turn to Mrs. March, who -had remained annoyingly silent, although, -he felt, she must know, after -receiving his letter by the hands of -her maid that morning, that his -reason for desiring to see her was as -great as his diffidence in stating it.</p> - -<p>He looked long at her and wondered -how she could be so cruel—and so -beautiful. At last she looked up at -him as if only now realizing that he -was there.</p> - -<p>“Now, my dear Dick, we can have -our little say without any such ridiculous -rendezvous as you suggested in -your overwrought note. What seems -to weigh upon us? Tell me—that is, -if you think you must.”</p> - -<p>“Mrs. March—” he began, but she -stopped him with a protesting hand.</p> - -<p>“Mrs. March?” she complained, with -a delightful little contraction of her -brows. “I thought we had agreed that -I was to be the Dorothy of our childhood?”</p> - -<p>“If you like,” he answered, saying -to himself that if she knew what was -in his mind and intended to deny him, -then the cruelty of her present tormenting -winsomeness was beyond belief. -No. She could not be so base—she -must know what he was about to -say to her. But failure had grown into -the very marrow of his bones, so it was -with unspeakably hopeless hope that -he went on. “If you like. Well, Dorothy, -it will be no news to you—this -that I am now to tell you—I love you. -I am sure you must have known this -for a long time. You have also known, -I trust, why I have remained silent. -I had the best possible of all reasons for -not speaking—I was a beggar without -a penny, without a lucrative calling -and without prospects.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Dick, Dick,” Mrs. March broke -in, taking his hand in both of hers; -“are you going to spoil our dear old -partnership in this way? I’m so sorry! -Be a dear, good boy, tell me of your -new play. Have you finished it yet? -I’m sure it will prove a tremendous -success.”</p> - -<p>“No,” he returned rather sharply, -“no; you must hear me, Dorothy. No -man can associate with you long without -growing to think of you as a woman -altogether different from others. You -are the cleverest woman in London. -You fascinate because you puzzle and -mystify men. Even women cannot -resist you. They are attracted to you -much as the men are—because they do -not comprehend you, because they find -you different. But, Dorothy, my love -for you draws its inspiration from a -source wholly unguessed by your other -friends. I love you because you are -the one woman in my world who sees -the pathos and the meaning of life—my -life and any life that fails and -drowns and dies in the rush and the -madness of existence. I have discovered -the real you—the you behind the -clever, fashionable, worldly Mrs. March—and -I claim you by right of discovery.”</p> - -<p>“Why, Dick, what nonsense!” she -cried, with a not very successful effort -to smile down the tears that his searching<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_364"></a>[Pg 364]</span> -look and his throbbing words had -brought to those great hazel eyes of -hers. “What nonsense! I am only -an ambitious woman of the world, -happy in the possession of social influence. -I am hard and cold and calculating—and -anyhow, really, dear, -dear boy, you must not think of this -any more. I mean it.”</p> - -<p>“To some you may seem worldly,” -he went on, ignoring her protest; “but -I know you. And I was forgetting to -justify myself by telling you that I -now have the right to speak. I am -no longer penniless, Dorothy. I am -now in a position to ask you to share -my life on the plane to which you are -accustomed. Will you listen?”</p> - -<p>“I must not—I cannot—don’t be -cruel, Dick,” she answered. “And -aren’t you a bit hard on me when you -imply that I would listen to you now, -but that I would not have done so -when you were poor? Am I so mercenary?”</p> - -<p>“No,” he said warmly; “but I should -have despised myself had I spoken -when I had not the means to support -you. Dorothy, my love for you began -the night you had that poor Bohemian -boy play the violin at your little party. -The idiots who crowded your rooms -gambled all the time the marvelous lad -was playing; but I saw you whisper to -him when he finished one sublime number, -and noted how his thin, white face -lighted up with gratitude and hope at -whatever it was you said to him. Well, -you know he died of consumption in -my chambers a few months afterward. -Among his papers I found the letter -you wrote him inclosing ten pounds. -That letter revealed you to me. It -was glorious! It was you! From that -time I have loved you with a love -passing the love of women. Poverty, -which until that time had seemed -rather a welcome refuge and protection -to me, now became a hell, for it -alone barred me from the hope of -speaking to you. But today I am a -comparatively rich man. Dorothy, be -my wife.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Dick, Dick, this is awful—don’t!” -she cried, shrinking from him. -“Pray, pray, stop—really you must -not go on!”</p> - -<p>But Travers had waited too long and -too yearningly for this hour to be -lightly deterred from stating his whole -case. So he proceeded eagerly: “You -heard last night of Fair’s phenomenal -success? Well, he told me after you -had gone that it had also made me -rich. Some time ago he bought my -poor father’s library from me—more -to assist me than from any need of -those particular books—and I left the -money with him for investment. He -now tells me that he bought Empire -Mines shares with it and that my profits -amount to fifty thousand pounds -sterling. Of course I thought that this -was merely a bit of his wonderful generosity -and altogether an afterthought—the -result of that erratic and impulsive -unselfishness which puzzles all who -know him—but he assures me that he -can prove from his broker’s books that -he bought stock for my account at the -time that he purchased his own, before -it was at all certain that it would -turn out such a staggering success. At -all events, there the money is to my -credit at Burton’s bank.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I am so glad, dear fellow!” -cried Mrs. March. “What a king he -is!”</p> - -<p>“Isn’t he? A knight, a brother—one -in a million!”</p> - -<p>“Well, Dick,” went on Mrs. March -after her first flush of pleasure and surprise, -“I can’t tell you how I rejoice -with you in this great good fortune; -but truly, dearest friend, our love can -never be more than that of two tried -old friends who have known each other -always. So be good.”</p> - -<p>“Only one thing can ever make me -believe that love like mine will be denied,” -replied Travers with great intensity; -“I shall press my sacred claim, -Dorothy, until you tell me that there -is another whom you love.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. March waited in evident distress -for a few moments, and then, -speaking very low and painfully:</p> - -<p>“Poor old Dick, it hurts me terribly -to wound you—but, Dick, there is -another. I am not free.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_365"></a>[Pg 365]</span></p> - -<p>“Good God!” leaped from the -man’s lips as he started forward with -the iron entering his soul. “Mrs. -March—with all my heart I beg you -to forget me and my mad words of -this day. I—I—I— Good-bye!”</p> - -<p>“God bless you!” she murmured, -crushed by his suffering. “And, Dick, -of course I have told you this in confidence.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” he answered, raising his -hat and moving toward the house. At -the window of the library he stopped, -and then came slowly back to where -she stood thinking. “Tell me one -thing more. Dorothy, it is not this -clown Allyne, is it?”</p> - -<p>Mrs. March thanked him with her -eyes for this bit of humor, which she -knew must have cost him much, and -exclaimed, with an effort to meet his -own pleasantry: “Heavens! No!”</p> - -<p>“Thank goodness for that,” replied -Travers, with a sickly smile. “I could -not have borne that,” and he rushed -off into the house to face final failure -on the one only day when success -seemed to have dawned dimly with -more of promise than had ever shone -in the east of his hope.</p> - -<h3>CHAPTER IX</h3> - -<p>Freddy Allyne, as he was called -by his friends, whose name was legion, -prided himself upon having established -a reputation for levity, when his -real character was that of a philosopher -strongly inclined to pessimism. On -no one did he enjoy palming a false -idea of himself more than on himself. -Life has many of these jesters whose -motley serves but poorly to hide from -others, and not at all from themselves, -the fact that this fool is as wise as -some whom he could mention and -whom it is the delight of his soul to -play with as he chooses. Between -him and the clever woman who was -now standing on the terrace at Drayton -Hall there had always been kept -up a particularly active warfare, for -Mrs. March was the one woman in -London who did not fear him, and, -while this nettled him and sometimes -seriously annoyed him, it fascinated -and led him on. A score of times the -wise had foretold a speedy match -between these two, who were never so -widely parted at a dinner-table but -they pursued each other without -quarter to the very finish of an argument.</p> - -<p>Until quite recently Mrs. March herself -had vaguely but persistently -assumed that Allyne would declare -himself sooner or later, and at that -time had somewhat doubted her ability -to deny the man whose brilliant intellect, -generous impulses and fundamentally -noble nature had come to -mean more to her than she dared or -wished to allow herself to realize. -But some little time before this -Allyne observed that a change had -come to pass and that she held herself -distinctly aloof from him whenever -they were alone, and had even -gone so far as to refuse to be at home -to him unless she was certain that -others would be by. He interpreted -this departure as evidence of her feeling -that the time had arrived when -their friendship must go further—or -safeguard itself by greater restraint.</p> - -<p>From a safe distance in the park he -had watched her as she and Travers -talked—with not the remotest notion -of the subject they were discussing. -When at last he saw Travers raise his -hat formally and retire into the house, -and Mrs. March remain leaning against -the parapet on the terrace, he thought -the hour had come.</p> - -<p>“What? Back so soon?” cried Mrs. -March, seeing him coming across the -stretch of lawn toward her. “You do -walk fast, don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“The church was shut,” replied -Allyne, with his customary bantering -tone and approaching close to her. -“Yes, the church was shut, and I fed -the swans in the pond instead.”</p> - -<p>“But you surely have not walked -four miles and fed swans all in ten -minutes?” asked Mrs. March, clearing -for action, and keenly appreciating the -relief that this diversion afforded to -the strain of the past few minutes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_366"></a>[Pg 366]</span></p> - -<p>“Oh, dear me, no,” drawled Allyne -innocently. “You see, I remembered -that they always shut churches after -service, so I knew that this one would -be shut. Awfully pretty swans of -Poynter’s, too. Ever seen them? -They float about the pond like a lot of -duchesses in a drawing-room—and -fight over the crumbs like them, also.”</p> - -<p>“And you didn’t fetch my prayer-book, -after all?” she inquired reprovingly. -“You <i>are</i> a devoted squire -of dames, I must say!”</p> - -<p>“It was of my devotion to the fair -in general and to you in particular that -I came back to speak,” he began, -unable, in spite of his firm resolution, -to approach the subject except with his -usual air of audacious impertinence -and frivolity. “You must have observed -that I bestow my society upon -you in a way that causes half the -beauties of the gay world of which I am -so conspicuous an ornament fairly to -die of jealousy. Well, my dear Mrs. -March, I do so because you are the -only woman who does not bore me -too much. Point by point as our acquaintance -grew I came to feel that -you are as free from disqualifying -features as any woman can be—in -short, you know, I’ve almost made up -my mind to think fairly well of you.”</p> - -<p>Then followed an interview the like -of which it is safe to say has never -been heard before or since. In substance -and seriousness it was the same -as Travers’s, for Allyne, too, had been -suddenly made independent by Fair’s -investment of a small sum intrusted -to him, but it was, on the surface, only -a remarkable example of his characteristic -nonsensical raillery and light -chaffing. That the result was the -same as it had been in Travers’s case -may be inferred from the fact that -when he left her with a painful effort -at nonchalance he turned and came -back to her to say:</p> - -<p>“Tell me just one thing. It’s not -that grave-digger, Dick Travers, is it?”</p> - -<p>Mrs. March jumped at the immense -relief of being able to laugh at this -fling, and fairly shouted: “No—horrors!”</p> - -<p>“Thank heaven for that!” returned -Allyne. “Now I sha’n’t have to commit -suicide.”</p> - -<p>With one of his inimitable grimaces, -he hurried into the house and she did -not see the solitary tear that trickled -down his cheek when he shut himself -into his room and threw a pillow at -his image in the mirror, crying: “You -old fool!”</p> - -<p>Mrs. March stood where he had left -her, and her sense of humor mercifully -prevented her dwelling on the unhappy -side of the situation. And it -was not until years afterward, when -all three could bear to speak of it, -that she related to both of them what -had occurred.</p> - -<p>“Truly Englishmen bear off the -palm,” she mused after the first shock -had passed. “All other men lay their -hearts at a woman’s feet—but an -Englishman condescends to let her -know that he doesn’t mind allowing -her to use his name if she has a mind -to do so! Well, Baggs, was he there?”</p> - -<p>Her last words were addressed to -her maid, who had been watching for -an opportunity to approach her mistress -for some minutes.</p> - -<p>“Yes, ma’am,” she answered. “But -I had to wait a little while before the -gentleman came. Here is a letter, -ma’am.”</p> - -<p>“And what was the gentleman like?” -asked Mrs. March, taking the letter.</p> - -<p>“He were a dark, foreign gentleman, -ma’am, with a black mustache. -He spoke Eyetalian lovely, ma’am—just -lovely!”</p> - -<p>Mrs. March laughed at Baggs’s discriminating -appreciation of well-spoken -Italian, and then remarked -carelessly: “It must have been Mr.—But -there, I haven’t told you his -name, have I? Did the gentleman -send any message by you—verbally, -I mean?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, ma’am,” replied Baggs -with embarrassment. “He said as -how he embraced your feet, ma’am, -and kissed your footsteps, ma’am, -and—beg pardon, ma’am—the gentleman -kissed me, too, ma’am, he did.”</p> - -<p>“You mustn’t mind that, you know,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_367"></a>[Pg 367]</span> -Baggs,” answered Mrs. March, smiling. -“You know, foreign ways are different -from ours.”</p> - -<p>“They are, ain’t they just, ma’am?” -assented Baggs, remembering some -other things which she did not think -it necessary to report—as well as a -more palpable evidence which she did -not mind mentioning. “They is different, -as you say, ma’am, for the gentleman -gave me a sovereign.”</p> - -<p>“That was good of him,” remarked -Mrs. March. “You shall have another -sovereign to put on top of that -one. You will find my purse on my -dressing-table—help yourself.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, thank you, thank you, ma’am,” -blurted out Baggs, wondering if her -lady were just right in the head.</p> - -<p>“But see here, Baggs,” said Mrs. -March as the maid was about to obey -her last command and go and find the -purse; “Baggs, you have been doing -a great many confidential things for -me lately. Don’t lose your head and -make yourself ridiculous now. I have -done nothing about which I might not -have the whole world hear. If I were -engaged in anything wrong or unseemly, -do you think for a moment -that I would be such a fool as to make -my servants my confidants? No. So -remember that if you speak of my -affairs to anyone, you will simply lose -your place and your good character, -and not inconvenience me in the least -possible degree. Now do you understand -me?”</p> - -<p>“I understand you, ma’am, perfect,” -replied Baggs, mentally calculating -whether her mistress took her -for an absolute donkey or was merely -joking.</p> - -<p>“I’m glad you do understand—that -will do,” said Mrs. March, and Baggs -with a courtesy disappeared into the -house.</p> - -<p>The instant that she found herself -alone Mrs. March tore open the letter -feverishly. She started violently at -once, and when she steadied herself -enough to finish reading it she fell back -upon the garden seat, where she sat -in manifest consternation and doubt. -For some moments she seemed to -be in the clutches of a horrible -anxiety which baffled all effort to -decide upon action of any sort. Then -she heard voices approaching, jumped -up, tearing the letter nervously into -two or three pieces which fell upon -the seat beside her, and ran into the -house.</p> - -<h3>CHAPTER X</h3> - -<p>The voices that had frightened Mrs. -March off were those of Sir Nelson and -Maxwell Fair, who now came round -the corner of the tower, with heads -bowed in very earnest talk. The elder -man had been the most intimate friend -of the younger man’s father, and on -the death of the latter Sir Nelson had -assumed an informal guardianship of -the erratic and wilful son. But while -others were disappointed and baffled -during the earlier years of Maxwell -Fair’s manhood, Sir Nelson Poynter -swore by him and predicted that all -would be well in time. Fully had Maxwell -Fair’s more recent career justified -the confidence of his father’s old friend.</p> - -<p>It was with the shock of surprise, as -well as the natural sorrow of a friend, -that Sir Nelson had just been hearing -Fair speak in indefinite terms of some -impending catastrophe that was to -terminate in blight his brilliant and -successful life.</p> - -<p>“By Jove, my boy,” Sir Nelson was -saying as they reached the terrace -and began pacing up and down, “it -distresses me unspeakably to hear your -father’s son talking in this way. Of -course, I shall do all I can—whatever -you may ask of me—but don’t you -think that you should make a clean -breast of everything? It is nothing new -to see a Fair acting from some high, compelling -motive, which strikes us ordinary -men as quixotic, but your fathers -always did whatever they did in the -open. They may have been enthusiasts -and unpractical crusaders, but -nobody could complain that they -fought under a mask. Their object -may sometimes have seemed chimerical, -but in the struggle to reach it they<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_368"></a>[Pg 368]</span> -wore their coat-of-arms where men -could see it, and proclaimed their -principles with trumpet blasts. Out -with it, man! What in God’s name -is it all?”</p> - -<p>“I thank you, Sir Nelson,” quietly -replied Fair, taking up his argument -and appeal at the point where Sir Nelson -had interrupted him. “You have -relieved my mind by consenting to act -as my executor. You will, I think, -find my affairs in tolerably good order. -Everything goes to Miss Mettleby—everything, -so there will be little to do -in the way of settlement.”</p> - -<p>“To Miss Mettleby?” exclaimed Sir -Nelson, confronting Fair with perfect -consternation and disapproval. “To -Miss Mettleby, you say? She is your -children’s governess, is she not? My -God, boy, there has been no—your -wife and children, you know! What -will be thought of this?”</p> - -<p>“I have settled five hundred thousand -pounds on Mrs. Fair and the -children—long ago, as I think you -know, so I can leave the rest to Miss -Mettleby with justice and propriety,” -answered Fair calmly.</p> - -<p>“What if you have?” cried out Sir -Nelson, growing vexed at the fellow’s -amazing stubbornness and lack of -decency, as he thought. “What if -you have settled a considerable sum -on your family? Do you suppose you -can leave the bulk of your estate to a -dependent girl, a young woman in your -employ, without causing no end of -evil surmises and comment reflecting -on your memory—yes, and the young -person’s honor? What can you mean -by such a mad determination? Come, -be reasonable, I beg of you. Make a -suitable provision for this girl, if you -think it due her for her faithful service -in your family, but, for heaven’s sake, -don’t leave the poor child a legacy -of defamation, as you most certainly -will, if you persist in carrying out such -a preposterous course.”</p> - -<p>“By the time that you come to -settle my estate, sir, I shall have become -an object too contemptible for -even malice to stoop to notice,” replied -Fair, poking his stick into the gravel -and giving his words the tone that -meant that he had thought out all the -objections which his old friend had -raised.</p> - -<p>They walked back and forth once or -twice before Sir Nelson responded with -a laugh, which he tried to make genuine: -“My word, what arrant nonsense -we have been talking anyhow! Settling -your estate, eh? Why, bless us -all, I shall have been under the chancel -stones twenty years before you retire -from business to begin to enjoy -middle age in the country. Come, -come, dear fellow, pull yourself together, -do!”</p> - -<p>“Ah, my best of friends,” answered -Fair, with a voice full of sincerest love -and respect, but also of firmness and -stem determination. “You ought to -know my father’s son better than to -suppose that anything can swerve me -from a purpose once it has become a -fixed idea—but,” he added, suddenly -turning to the old man with great tenderness, -“by all that is rational, I do -suppose that it is unfair to keep you in -the dark in this way. I think that I -should tell you plainly what is in my -heart.”</p> - -<p>“Depend upon it, Maxwell, it will -be best for both of us if you will tell -me fully and honestly—everything,” -eagerly returned Sir Nelson, slapping -Fair on the back in that hearty, old-fashioned -way of his. “Come, now, -what the devil ails you?”</p> - -<p>“Well, then, sir,” said Fair, taking -Sir Nelson’s arm and pushing him back -toward the seat, “sit down while I tell -you—I am too nervous to do so.”</p> - -<p>The old man sat as he was requested, -and watched his young friend as he -walked up and down before him, formulating -his ideas in order to present -them clearly and consecutively. It -was some time before Fair had so far -shaped his thoughts as to be willing to -speak. But when he had done so he -stopped on his next turn in front of Sir -Nelson and said very quietly:</p> - -<p>“Now I am ready. In carrying out -the one compelling and absorbing purpose -of my life I have been made the -most wretched and most misunderstood<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_369"></a>[Pg 369]</span> -of men. I have sternly brushed aside -love, hope, joy—everything which -means life to a passionate and intense -nature like my own. But this is an -old story. I had come to think that -the dwarfing and cramping restraints -of my self-imposed life-work were -second nature—more, that the life I -was leading was the only life possible -to me. I would have died fighting for -the triumph of my idea—they would -have found my body in the last trench -after the battle was done, and nobody -had been the wiser, no one would ever -have known what a falsely-true life -had been mine, had not this last horrible -sacrifice been required by the insatiable -purpose which has sucked -away my life.</p> - -<p>“I had asked for nothing from fate, -but the right to live and die with my -secret unbetrayed. I had begged of -God nothing more than that I be suffered -to seal with my death the loyalty -to poor Janet that I had striven to -make of my whole life. But no. -Even this beggarly scrap of comfort -has been denied to me—and by the -most unspeakable irony of fate, I find -myself confronted with the damnable -necessity of throwing away all these -dumb years of denial and self-effacement -in order to do Janet and the -children the only service which still -remains possible for me to do. Is -it not horrible, Sir Nelson? I had -thought to make my life of some little -good by offering it to protect a woman -and her children—and now, lest they -be buried by my own ruin, I must undo -everything that I have done during all -these years.”</p> - -<p>He paused and looked at his old -friend, who showed a growing concern -that indicated he began really to believe -Fair had lost his reason.</p> - -<p>“Sir Nelson, I see that you do not -comprehend me—perhaps I am beginning -at the wrong end. Yes, I am, -of course. Let me give you some concrete -facts before asking you to follow -me. Well, then, I tell you that I, -your old friend’s son, the man whom -you have helped and watched over, as -if I were your son—I, Sir Nelson, have -committed a crime against society, -against nature, against life!”</p> - -<p>“Crime?” exclaimed the old Baronet, -springing to his feet and grasping -Fair’s hand, thoroughly convinced that -he was acting under some mental and -nervous excitement that had proved -too much for his reason. “Crime? -Good God, boy, you are mad! I can’t -believe this—I do not believe it!”</p> - -<p>“Wait, wait,” pleaded Fair, again -forcing Sir Nelson to the seat, and trying -to speak with the utmost composure. -“Do not misunderstand me, -sir. If I had told you that I had wilfully -and deliberately violated my conscience -or done some blackguardly -thing, I should hope that nothing would -induce you to believe me. I have done -this awful thing, of which I now confess -that I am guilty, with a clean heart—if -you can understand me. Society -must and assuredly will wreak its sudden -and fatal vengeance upon me for -my crime, but I want you, sir, to believe -that when men are reviling me -for my act I shall be flinging that very -deed at the feet of my eternal Judge -and asking Him to accept it in atonement -for my blackest faults—and if -God fails to accept this thing that I -have done, then am I damned indeed -forever. But you do not understand -me?”</p> - -<p>“On my word, I do not!” answered -Sir Nelson, filled with very serious misgivings. -“You are ill—dangerously -ill.”</p> - -<p>“On the contrary,” replied Fair -spiritedly, “I was never better in my -life. My mind was never so clear as it -is at this moment. Listen, Sir Nelson. -When this crime is made public—which -will be tomorrow in all likelihood—I -want you to shield Mrs. Fair and the -children by announcing that Janet is -not my wife, that I never married her—and -that the poor children are not -my children at all. Do this—it is the -truth—and save innocent beings from -the disgrace of being thought to be my -flesh and blood.”</p> - -<p>In spite of his efforts during this -speech, Fair had yielded to the intoxication -of his sublime grief, and when<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_370"></a>[Pg 370]</span> -he ceased speaking he was holding the -old man’s hand and the tears were -streaming down his face.</p> - -<p>“I sha’n’t put up with this,” declared -Sir Nelson with much sternness, -rising like a very determined man. “I -shall have Sir Porter Hope down by -special train at once. You are bad, on -my honor, very bad indeed.”</p> - -<p>“Spare Sir Porter Hope an unnecessary -journey,” answered Fair, having -regained control of himself. He went -on laughingly: “I tell you, I am perfectly -well. Have you a cigar? -Thanks.”</p> - -<p>He lighted the cigar, which poor old -Sir Nelson was only too eager to give -him as an evidence that the fellow was -not totally mad, and with great deliberation -puffed it slowly and carelessly, -making rings of the smoke and praising -the quality of the tobacco. Not until -he had got him back to calmness and -some measure of reassurance did he -permit Sir Nelson to resume the discussion -of the question which both of -them felt was the last one they would -ever discuss—the final question of -Fair’s complex and much agonized life.</p> - -<p>“But in heaven’s name,” began Sir -Nelson, pulling Fair down on the seat -beside himself, “what is the meaning -of all this? Think what rubbish you -have been asking me to believe. Janet -not your wife? The children not your -children? You don’t want me to believe -this! You don’t ask me to believe -that Janet is your——”</p> - -<p>“No!” roared Fair, jumping up and -with so much warmth that Sir Nelson -was frightened; “no!—and don’t say -the word either! On my honor as a -gentleman, I tell you, sir, that no -daughter in her father’s house, no sister -under her brother’s roof, was ever safer, -purer, more sacredly held than Janet -has been under mine. Her children -have had more than a father’s care and -love from me, and it is only to save them -all from the disgrace and odium which -will attach henceforth to my name -that I now ask you to proclaim the -truth—to publish the fact that my polluting -blood does not run in their veins.”</p> - -<p>“But,” protested the Baronet, with -manifest disgust and irritation, “what -can be the explanation of this amazing -state of affairs? If she is not your -wife—and not——”</p> - -<p>“Don’t say it!” again commanded -Fair. “I tell you, sir, I am not in a -mood to be exasperated just now—and -the very word would madden me -when I think of what that woman has -been to me and I to her.”</p> - -<p>Sir Nelson always afterward remembered -how noble and elated by an almost -supernatural uplift Fair had appeared -as he stood there, warning him not to -profane the tabernacled secret of his -life. The old man’s heart went out to -the tortured and defiant fellow.</p> - -<p>“Never fear, dear boy,” he began -with a feeble voice; “I shall not speak -or think it of her. But you ought to -help me to speak the truth of all this -madness by telling me just what it is.”</p> - -<p>Fair was deeply moved by his old -friend’s sorrow and unwonted display -of feeling, so he sat down by him and -warmly shook his hand. After a few -moments of quiet, he said in low, firm, -deliberate tones:</p> - -<p>“Sir Nelson, pardon my weakness in -showing you my heart just now, but -the fact is, sir, that I have been under a -strain—and on that one point I have -always been naturally sensitive. I owe -you an apology also for delaying to advise -you fully and without emotion of -the exact situation in which I now find -myself inextricably placed. Let me -tell you the whole story. It will seem -incredible to you—until you recollect -that I am the son of my father and that -my heritage was what you alone know -that it was.”</p> - -<p>Sir Nelson blew his nose, and finding -nothing particular to say, blew it again; -and Fair saw something over the terrace -wall that took his attention until -the dear old chap said with considerable -heartiness in his voice again: “All -ready, dear boy—forgive an old fellow—who -loves you.</p> - -<p>“I first met Janet in Rio Janeiro, at -which port her father was British Consul, -and I was happily able to take the -unfortunate gentleman for a long cruise -on my yacht when his health broke<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_371"></a>[Pg 371]</span> -down. He died on the yacht and we -buried him at sea. Janet returned to -England, and, although I loved her -madly, I did not speak, because that -wretched Buda-Pesth escapade of mine -was still unsettled. So I completely -lost sight of Janet and the years passed.</p> - -<p>“Six years ago I was in a small South -American seaport acting as consul for -Jack Trowbridge, who was down with -yellow fever. One day when I was -lazily killing time—and big flies—in -the dusty, stuffy little consulate, Janet, -whom I, of course, thought in England, -and whom I had not seen for so long, -came in.</p> - -<p>“She was a wreck. She had a boy -of two or three years clinging to her -skirts and a child in her arms. You -may imagine, sir, my awful shock on -seeing her thus. Her story was short. -She had married a Cuban planter of -very large fortune in Jamaica, and -after two years of suspicion and dread -and suffering she had learned that the -scoundrel had deceived her, that he -had a wife living in Cuba, and that, in -consequence, she had no legal or other -claim upon him. She was penniless. -Hearing that I was cruising in those -parts, she learned through the British -consuls at different places just where I -then was, and she turned to me. I -made investigation and found the -damnable story told her by her supposed -husband only too true. His -wife in Cuba was his only lawful wife—and -Janet was a nameless and helpless -victim of his lust and perfidy. I -cabled for my yacht, which was being -renovated at New York, and soon had -Janet and her two children on their -way to England.</p> - -<p>“I scarcely saw them during the -long and bitterly sad voyage, but at -night, as I stood at my trick at the -wheel, and in the warm, dull days as I -sat smoking in silence on deck, a -thought grew and grew upon me. The -little boat tossing about on the limitless -waste of waters seemed to become -the symbol of my aimless, drifting, -worthless life. And then, one glorious -tropical night, with the great stars -burning sublimity and eternity into -my heart, the blood of all my fathers -seemed to rush hot and quick and insistent -through all my being. I had it! -I had at last found the Purpose, the -Object, the Aim for which my life -yearned, the Thing in waiting, for -which all the common interests and -passions of young men had failed to -hold me, the One Thing, which, by -absorbing my life, by becoming my -way of defying and despising the -world, would prove me my father’s son.</p> - -<p>“The next day I told Janet. We -were standing alone looking out over -the sea—and to both of us it seemed -that the sea and life and eternity were -alike trackless and tending nowhither. -I told her, Sir Nelson, that she should -not land in England the outcast, nameless -victim of a blackguard’s infamy, -but as my proclaimed wife. Her -children would never know that they -were fatherless. I had been away from -home so long that I could get myself -believed when I returned with a wife -and family—and the world would -never know that I was a wretched man -cut off by a vow like a monk’s vow -from the joys and the heart of life. -That is all, Sir Nelson; that is all.”</p> - -<p>“All! All!” exclaimed Sir Nelson, -grasping Fair’s hand and wringing it -hotly. “My God, man, I never heard -of anything quite so great! My word, -sir, if you were not Tom Fair’s son, -I could not believe such a sacrifice of -one’s life possible!”</p> - -<p>“It is never difficult to do what one’s -nature demands,” replied Fair quietly, -adding with less calmness: “But it is -hard to see that all these years of work -are to come to naught. My life has -been wasted.”</p> - -<p>“Not at all,” retorted the old man -eagerly. “Crime? Crime, you say. By -gad, boy, I’ll make you prove yourself -guilty in a court of law—and if you -do, then we will all know that you are -off your head!”</p> - -<p>“The proofs of my guilt will not be -far to seek,” answered Fair, with a -disheartening coolness and an air of -ghoulish certainty.</p> - -<p class="center">(<i>To be continued.</i>)</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_372"></a>[Pg 372]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="Money_and_Prices" id="Money_and_Prices"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Money and Prices</i></h2></div> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">BY E. L. SMITH</p> - -<p class="drop-cap">MONEY is a creation of law.</p> - -<p>Money is a measure of valuable -things or services.</p> - -<p>Money is a measure of constant and -ever-varying capacity.</p> - -<p>Money is not value in itself.</p> - -<p>The divisor measures the dividend -by division.</p> - -<p>Money measures property by division.</p> - -<p>If the divisor increases as fast proportionately -as the dividend, the quotient -will remain the same.</p> - -<p>When the amount of money increases -as fast proportionately as the property -to be measured or divided, the average -of prices will remain on a level; and, -although there will be constant fluctuations -in price among the different articles -to be measured or divided, the -average purchasing or measuring power -of the measure or the unit of value will -remain the same.</p> - -<p>When the divisor increases faster -proportionately than the dividend, the -quotient will become smaller.</p> - -<p>When the quantity of money increases -faster than the property or -things to be measured or divided, the -average of prices will rise.</p> - -<p>When the average of prices rises, the -measuring or purchasing power of the -unit of value becomes less.</p> - -<p>When the average of prices rises, -there is inflation of the money or currency.</p> - -<p>When the quantity of property increases -faster proportionately than the -amount of money, the average of prices -will fall.</p> - -<p>When the average of prices falls, the -money or currency is contracted.</p> - -<p>All business interests are either produce -interests or moneyed interests.</p> - -<p>A produce interest is an interest in -which the owner receives his pay for -his labor and the use of his capital in -produce.</p> - -<p>A moneyed interest is an interest in -which the owners of the business receive -their pay for their labor and the -use of their capital in money.</p> - -<p>A farm is a produce interest.</p> - -<p>A railroad is a moneyed interest.</p> - -<p>If the owners of a produce interest -wish any money, they sell their produce -and buy money.</p> - -<p>If the owners of a moneyed interest -wish any produce, they sell their money -and buy produce.</p> - -<p>When prices rise produce interests gain.</p> - -<p>When produce interests gain, moneyed -interests lose.</p> - -<p>When prices fall, moneyed interests -gain.</p> - -<p>When moneyed interests gain, produce -interests lose.</p> - -<p>Moneyed interests and produce interests -cannot both gain or both lose -at the same time.</p> - -<p>When prices are falling, money can -be hoarded without loss.</p> - -<p>When prices are rising, money cannot -be hoarded without loss.</p> - -<p>A hoarded dollar has never yet paid -for a single day’s work.</p> - -<p>If produce interests had not first -existed, moneyed interests never could -have existed.</p> - -<p><i>An honest dollar is a dollar that is -willing to help produce something.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_373"></a>[Pg 373]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="The_Say_of_Reform_Editors" id="The_Say_of_Reform_Editors"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>The Say of Reform Editors</i></h2></div> - -<p class="drop-cap">UNTIL the people who want reform -get together in an organization all -of whose members are substantially -agreed, and with this organization -elect a President and Congress, they will -never get from under the heel of monopoly. -Nothing can be done in a party which contains -the monopolists.—<i>The Missouri World.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> United States produces 319,000,000 -metric tons of coal a year, worth at the mines -$485,000,000, and costing consumers nearly -a billion dollars.—<i>Exchange.</i></p> - -<p>That little item of 515 millions, absorbed -mostly by the big corporations that own the -railroads, is the people’s tribute to Our “<i>Chevaliers -d’Industrie</i>.” When you come to -think of it, aren’t we a nation of bloomin’ -chumps?—<i>The American Standard.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><i>Teacher</i>—Johnny, how many legs has an -octopus?</p> - -<p><i>Johnny</i>—Seven.</p> - -<p><i>Teacher</i>—Why, Johnny, you ought to -know better than that. The meaning of the -word shows that it has eight.</p> - -<p><i>Johnny</i>—I know it used to have, but that -was before dad was elected to the legislature. -I heard him say he pulled a leg off -the octopus.—<i>Wetmore’s Weekly.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">Under</span> government ownership alone will -it be possible to make railroad rates which -shall be just to all the people, and this is now -being generally recognized.—<i>The Augusta -Tribune.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">What</span> means this general onslaught, all -along the line of the plutocratic press, upon -one William Randolph Hearst, Democratic -Congressman and late candidate for the -Democratic nomination for the Presidency? -Republican and Democratic advocates of -plutocracy vie with each other in the work -of sticking pins into Mr. Hearst. Have -these great newspapers been informed that -Mr. Hearst is sincere, is honest, in his fight -against the trusts? If so, their spontaneous -and unanimous attempt to disarm him can -be accounted for. The man who attempts -to tear down the screen which is held up, -mainly by these great newspapers, between -the people and their despoilers, is sure to get -the vials of their wrath poured out upon his -head.—<i>The Dalton Herald.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">One</span> of these days there will be two Republican -Parties: one for government ownership -of the Kansas oil refinery and one -against it. Which are you going to stay -with?—<i>Smith Center (Kan.) Messenger.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">People</span> of similar interests should flock -and work together, regardless of party name -or of past differences, either fancied or real. -The railroad people work together for their -own interests; and their party affiliations -have been and will be according to railroad -interests, regardless of party name. So with -corporationists in general, capitalists, etc. -Then why do not <i>the people</i> unite according -to their interests? The people of New Zealand -did, and routed the capitalists.—<i>The -Medical World.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">During</span> the big coal strike, when Saint -Baer was obdurate, Mr. Roosevelt threatened -him with government ownership if he -did not give in to the strikers.</p> - -<p>The threat was a regular pivot blow to -Baer, as good as any Professor Donovan -will teach Mr. Roosevelt. Baer cried foul, -but he went down and out all the same.</p> - -<p>The lesson from America of how to knock -out an obstinate coal-mine capitalist was -not lost on the German Kaiser. Germany, -too, has its coal-mine Baers, and a big coal -strike is now on.</p> - -<p>The Emperor has not only threatened the -owners with government ownership of mines, -but has gone to the extent of asking his -bankers if Germany would have any trouble -in floating the $250,000,000 in bonds to -make the purchase.—<i>Wilshire’s Magazine.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">Emancipate</span> the farmer from the thraldom -of manipulated markets and the advice -of his dear friends who know so much better -than he does what he ought to do.—<i>The -Southern Mercury.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">Bishop Berkeley’s</span> poem being translated -into Japanese, they pondered for -awhile on the words: “Westward the course -of empire takes its way,” then the little -cherry blossom worshipers shouldered their -knapsacks and started after the setting sun. -At last accounts they had got as far as Tie -Pass. None of them showed any intention -of stopping there. How much further their -empire will take its way nobody knows.—<i>The -Nebraska Independent.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">That</span> labor and culture should go together, -that sweat and science should walk hand in -hand, that art and harvest work should -know each other for brothers, or that the -sense of beauty and the capacity to dig a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_374"></a>[Pg 374]</span> -ditch should unite in the same personality, -seems impossible to all those whose capacities -are of the hothouse variety, and who -feel “lifted up above common things by reason -of their refinement.” But the changing -order, which is making or shaping a -world of reality to take the place of the -world of seeming, is bringing just this thing -to pass; and the time is not far distant when -the gardener’s shears and apron will be in -the possession of the man who writes art -criticism, while the man who paints masterpieces -will often be seen building fences. -The “superior person” will then be chiefly -interesting as an exotic, to be studied and -duly ticketed as “rare” by those who have -blood in their veins. Work is the very soul -of life; and the idler, cultivated or other, -has not lived in the past, does not live in the -present, nor will he live in the future. When -art and work are one and indivisible we shall -not even ask for philosophers to compensate -us for the illusions of life. Then the common, -transfigured, will satisfy our every -need.—<i>Tomorrow.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">No</span> real battle between public rights and -special privileges ever comes on in simple or -unmistakable form. The crucial question -is always so complicated with other issues -as to bewilder men of the best intentions -and of good judgment who happen to be -interested on the right side of those other -issues. It is upon bewilderments like these -that conscious advocates of privilege depend -for dividing the forces of their enemy when -such a division becomes vital to them.—<i>The -Chicago Public.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was an ill-advised move when Oklahoma -joined the crusade against Standard -Oil. Mr. Rockefeller may decide not to -give her statehood.—<i>The South McAlester -(I. T.) Capital.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">Recent</span> reports of big industrial concerns -show that they are having a good business -year, thirty-seven companies paying dividends -in March aggregating $24,000,000, -compared with $21,800,000 last year and -$19,800,000 the year before.—<i>From weekly -circular letter of Henry Clews, Banker, No. -35 Wall Street, New York, dated March 4, -1905.</i></p> - -<p>Yes, the trusts are doing well. It is easy -for anybody to make money if he controls -the buying and selling price of an article the -people must have. It may be a little surprising, -though, to some, to learn that the -trusts are faring even better now than heretofore.—<i>The -Missouri World.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> wish well of every public man who -resolutely tries to do his duty. It matters -not what political party he may affiliate -with, if he is a friend of the people, we give -him our word of encouragement and Godspeed. -Among Democrats we find some -notable examples of progressive statesmanship -and some advocates of reform. The -Republican Party is not without some public -men whose works and words give evidence -of a desire to stand for the best type of popular -government. Yet every reformer in -the Republican or Democratic Party has to -spend too much time, energy and ammunition -in fighting the enemies within the ranks -of his own party. Mr. Bryan will wear his -life out in trying to overcome his enemies in -the so-called Democratic Party just as John -P. Altgeld wore his life away. Governor -La Follette always has war on his hands -with the corporation element in his own -party. And now that Mr. Roosevelt has -outlined a radical course, he is beset by powerful -opposition from high-up Republican -politicians who represent special interests. -He will not succeed in accomplishing much -so long as all his energy is taken up in fighting -the enemy at home. The very logic -of events will force the radical reformers all -into one party, and then the people will have -something to hope for.—<i>The Kansas Commoner.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">Politeness</span> is the external part of gentility, -but it is often the principal weapon of -rascality. A rude rascal is never as dangerous -as a polite one.—<i>The Seattle Patriarch.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">Kansas</span> will find it a big job fighting the -Standard Oil trust, so long as the trust is in -the national banking business and controls -the means of transportation. Still, the people -of Kansas, co-operating through their -state government, can make it hot for the -trust. The state can put $20,000,000 into -the fight, and with this sum can build railroads, -lay pipe lines and establish dozens of -oil refineries. Twenty million dollars is a big -sum, but is no more than the people of Kansas -pay in national taxes every two years.—<i>The -Missouri World.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> magazines and big dailies are doing -the country a great service. They have -writers of ability; apparently these have -long chafed under the galling chains of -party manacles and are now glad to be free—glad -to try their strength and exercise their -taste and talents. Populists should secure -every advantage possible, strengthen their -organizations, keep these patriots closely -in touch, and at every possible point be -ready should a reaction come.</p> - -<p>Again and again we have seen great -waves of reform sweep over the land, and -again and again we have seen the monopolists -catch a second breath, spit on their hands -and tie these good men down with party -thongs and convention rules and resolutions.</p> - -<p>Once we felt sure of McKinley and Garfield. -Tom Ewing, Carlisle, McLean, Voorhees, -David Davis, hundreds and hundreds -of the brightest men in the land came to -the front for a time and then dropped back -when a reaction came.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_375"></a>[Pg 375]</span></p> - -<p>Some of this reaction is due to the lack -of true patriotism, to a lack of courage, fortitude; -but whatever the cause may be, -Populists should be prepared for the back-set -and save as much advantage as possible. -At the present every man is our friend. -Almost without an exception the great -statesmen and editors are with us. For the -time being party lines are wiped out, Democrat -or Republican, North or South.</p> - -<p>Populist, put your best foot forward! -You have pointed the way, the crowd has -taken the road, now be kind, be true, speak -carefully—do your level best.—<i>The Joliet -News.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> President does not want to injure the -“System”; he only wants it to “tote fair.”</p> - -<p>But the “System” does not want to “tote -fair.” Its authors did not create it for any -such commonplace purpose, and they will -resist to the bitter end the endeavor of the -President to halt the exploitation of the -people by the trusts and combines.</p> - -<p>What may grow out of this resistance by -the “System”?</p> - -<p>A split of the Republican Party into two -factions—into the “square deal” Republicans -and the “System” Republicans.—<i>Berlin -(Pa.) Record.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> long as boys read every week that John -Doe or Richard Roe has made a fortune in -one day cornering wheat or corn, or some -other commodity, the gambling instinct in -the young will hardly subside. Take away -Mr. Doe’s profession by law.—<i>The Smith -Center (Kan.) Messenger.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<h3>THE MILEAGE ROLL OF DISHONOR</h3> - -<p class="center space-above1 space-below1">VOTED AYE</p> - -<table summary=" " cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> - <tbody> - <tr> - <td class="tdc space-above3" colspan="6">MEMBERS TO RETIRE</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc space-above3"><i>Republicans</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdc space-above3"><i>Democrats</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdc space-above3"><i>Union Labor</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Daniels, Cal.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Bell, Cal.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Livernash, Cal.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Davis, Minn.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Breazeale, La.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Wynn, Cal.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Hunter, Ky.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Dinsmore, Ark.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Kyle, O.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Dougherty, Mo.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Morgan, O.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Emerich, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Smith, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Foster, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Spalding, N. D.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Griffith, Ind.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Van Voorhis, O.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Hughes, N. J.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">McAndrews, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Miers, Ind.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Richardson, Tenn.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Rider, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Robb, Mo.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Robinson, Ind.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Shober, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Shull, Pa.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Snook, O.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Wilson, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl pad space-above3">Total</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3">8</td> - <td class="tdl pad space-above3">Total</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3">19</td> - <td class="tdl pad space-above3">Total</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3">2</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc space-above3" colspan="6">MEMBERS RETURNED</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc space-above3"><i>Republicans</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdc space-above3"><i>Democrats</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdc space-above3"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Adams, Wis.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Aiken, S. C.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Beidler, O.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Broussard, La.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Bishop, Mich.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Davey, La.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Brandegee, Conn.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Fitzgerald, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Brooks, Col.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Goulden, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Brown, Wis.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Hill, Miss.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Brownlow, Tenn.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Hunt, Mo.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Burke, S. D.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Legare, S. C.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cromer, Ind.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">McDermott, N. J.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Crumpacker, Ind.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">McNary, Mass.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cushman, Wash.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Maynard, Va.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Draper, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Pujo, La.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Dresser, Pa.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Rainey, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Fordney, Mich.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Ryan, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Gardner, N. J.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Sullivan, Mass.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Gillett, Cal.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Graff, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Grosvenor, O.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Howell, N. J.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Howell, Utah.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Hull, Iowa.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Humphrey, Wash.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Jones, Wash.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Knopf, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lorimer, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Loudenslager, N. J.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">McCleary, Minn.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mann, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Marshall, N. D.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Martin, S. D.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Minor, Wis.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Overstreet, Ind.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Patterson, Pa.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Rodenberg, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sherman, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Smith, Iowa.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Snapp, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Southard, O.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Southwick, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sterling, Ill.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sulloway, N. H.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Tawney, Minn.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Wachter, Md.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Weems, O.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl pad">Total</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">44</td> - <td class="tdl pad">Total</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">15</td> - <td class="tdl pad"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc space-above3" colspan="6">DODGED</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc space-above3"><i>Republicans</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdc space-above3"><i>Democrats</i></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdc space-above3"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Harrison, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Scudder, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl pad space-above3">Total</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3"></td> - <td class="tdl pad space-above3">Total</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3">2</td> - <td class="tdl pad space-above3"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl space-above3">Birdsall, Iowa.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3"></td> - <td class="tdl space-above3">Adamson, Ga.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3"></td> - <td class="tdl space-above3"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Bonynge, Col.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Bankhead, Ala.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Conner, Iowa.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Bartlett, Ga.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Dovener, W. Va.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Brantley, Ga.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Hamilton, Mich.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Gilbert, Ky.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Hemenway, Ind.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Goldfogle, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Kennedy, O.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Hopkins, Ky.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lafean, Pa.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Ruppert, N. Y.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Landis, Ind.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Sims, Tenn.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Miller, Kan.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Stanley, Ky.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Zenor, Ind.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl">Stephens, Tex.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Wiley, Ala.</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - <td class="tdl"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl pad space-above3">Total</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3">11</td> - <td class="tdl pad space-above3">Total</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3">12</td> - <td class="tdl pad space-above3"></td> - <td class="tdr_ws1 space-above3"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc space-above3" colspan="6">GRAND TOTAL—GRABBERS AND DODGERS</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Republicans</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">63</td> - <td class="tdl">Democrats</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">48</td> - <td class="tdl">Union Labor</td> - <td class="tdr_ws1">2</td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<p class="right">—<i>Collier’s Weekly.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> industrial barons pay the same sum -for a large as a small cotton crop. Just -enough to keep the planters’ help alive.—The -<i>Appeal to Reason.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_376"></a>[Pg 376]</span></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">Alarmists</span> who are forever crying about -“the dangers of Socialism” remind one of -that Scripture that tells of the fellow who -“fleeth when no man pursueth.” There are -comparatively few Socialists in the country. -And if certain reforms are consummated there -will be a less number. And there are mighty -few Socialists who are “dangerous.”</p> - -<p>In this connection may be noted an incident -that occurred during the Cooper Union -lecture course at New York City. It was -claimed that the audiences, judged by their -applause, were Socialistic. So a vote was -taken. In one audience of 1,200 people -there were less than twenty Socialists. Then -this question was put to the audience: -“Those who believe the time has come for -the community to assert a larger control -over the public enterprises, such as the -trusts, railroads and public utilities, please -rise.” The entire audience arose.</p> - -<p>There are no “dangerous classes” in such -an audience—a typical, intelligent public -gathering. “The people will wobble right.” -The people are discovering the wrongs in -government and they are finding that they -themselves are largely to blame for these -wrongs. They find that they have neglected -their rights. They have conferred special -privileges. They have permitted aggressions. -It is largely their own fault. They are beginning -to see that. They want to correct -their mistakes. They will correct them.</p> - -<p>And those who cry “wolf” when the people -are trying to get back their own are more -dangerous than any others.—<i>The Buffalo -Times.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">“Populist”</span> is from the Latin word <i>populus</i>, -meaning the people. “Populite,” which -is used to a considerable extent in the South -instead of Populist, is also from the Latin -word populus. The original meaning of the -words “populist,” “democrat” and “republican” -is substantially the same.—<i>The -Missouri World.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">Without</span> vision a people perishes. The -need for “seers” is greatest in a democracy -where autocracy fails and the people must -fall back upon broad instincts, intuitive -reasoning and average intelligence. The -poet-seer is the highest type of the visionary. -His message comes in the form of rhythmic -speech which has the widest carrying capacity. -Poets, however, do not come into the -world by accident. The poet comes only -after preparation is made and reception is -assured. For support he can depend no -longer upon an indulgent king or upon patrons. -Today the people stand in place of -these. But as yet the collective mind has -not worked out the problem of protection -in spiritual properties. This is one of the -main problems America has to meet: to -create and sustain a race of poet-seers which -will stand in right relation to the people and -move in these broad lands as broad as they.—<i>Tomorrow.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">Monett</span>, the Ohio lawyer, began the prosecution -of the Standard Oil trust when the -Government was fostering the trusts and -the courts knocked him out. Now the -Government begins to make signs that it is -against the trusts and another case has been -begun in Ohio. The courts will change -their sides. Monett was downed by Rockefeller, -beaten by the courts, and kicked out -of the Republican Party. A nod from the -President changed the whole situation.—<i>The -Nebraska Independent.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">Despite</span> the fact that the Czar refused to -permit a delegation of workmen to present a -petition to him, he, realizing the havoc that -had been wreaked upon the people, finally -consented to have a delegation call upon -him and present their grievances. It may -be true that the delegation was not those -chosen by the men engaged in the original -movement, but it is also true that even for -appearance’ sake he had to go through the -formality of receiving a delegation of workmen, -and, at least to that degree, the new -departure has been recognized.</p> - -<p>It is also of interest to know that, though -the Russian workmen have had no organization, -yet their strike has been declared at an -end by agreement, and that they are now -engaged in the selection of their representatives -in a mixed commission to determine -the following questions: A shorter workday, -an increase in wages, the right to organize, -and assemblage and freedom of speech.</p> - -<p>Jointly, the people insist that the government -shall be based upon justice and the participation -of the people therein, regardless -of their station in life, equality before the -law, inviolability of domicile, the freedom of -association, of speech and of the press, and -compulsory education.</p> - -<p>Thus, after all, out of the strikes of the -Russian workmen, though many of their -dear ones have been killed and mutilated, -their blood has sanctified their cause and -will make for the good, the progress and the -uplifting of all the people of Russia.—<i>American -Federationist.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">A revolution</span> is on, and the attacking -party has inscribed the Populist principles -upon its banners. The attacking party is -not insurgents or rebels. It is in power, the -Government, the whole thing. Never before -has the prospect seemed at all discouraging -for Standard Oil raids, Beef Trust schemes -and kindred despoliation of the land and the -fulness and the people thereof. Everything -worth considering is now consolidated -against the robbers. Have good cheer, -Populists. The day is breaking. Up and -don your armor. Whet your battle-axe.—<i>The -Joliet News.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">He</span> alone is great who can suggest a -thought in such a way that the other man -believes he originated it—<i>The Philistine.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_377"></a>[Pg 377]</span></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">A Wall Street</span> victim, after squandering -his own money and his wife’s, committed -suicide, and yet some of the New York -clergymen who are so active in denouncing -the small gambling houses have not a word -to say against the New York Stock Exchange -which slays its tens of thousands -where the small gambling houses slay their -thousands.—<i>The Commoner.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> spirit of Populism has reasserted itself -and taken the Sunflower State by storm.</p> - -<p>The shots fired by the Kansas Legislature, -forced from it by a determined demand of -the people, at the trusts and monopolies -have been heard around the world. They -sounded the death-knell of plutocracy in -America.</p> - -<p>Aimed at the Standard Oil octopus, these -shots hit every political and commercial -scoundrel in the United States. The special -privileged class have been dealt a blow which -staggers their fabric from centre to circumference.</p> - -<p>This is the beginning of the end of corrupt -government. The people who do the labor -and produce the wealth of the world will be -deceived and plundered no longer. The -revolution is on and it can’t be checked.—<i>The -Dalton (Ga.) Herald.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="News_Record" id="News_Record"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak">News Record</h2> - -<p class="center">FROM MARCH 7 TO APRIL 7, 1905</p> - -</div> - -<h3><i>Government and Politics</i></h3> - -<div class="news"> - -<p class="day">March 7.—George B. Cortelyou takes the -oath of office as Postmaster-General -and announces that he will resign as -Chairman of the Republican National -Committee.</p> - -<p>The special session of the United States -Senate considers the Santo Domingo -treaty.</p> - -<p>Senator Elkins, Chairman of the Senate -Railroad Committee, announces that -hearings on the freight-rate question -will be held during the recess, beginning -in April.</p> - -<p>Charles H. Treat, of New York, is appointed -United States Treasurer.</p> - -<p class="day">March 8.—The Senate confirms the President’s -diplomatic and consular appointments, -chief of which are those -of Whitelaw Reid as Ambassador to -Great Britain, Robert S. McCormick -to France, George V. L. Meyer to -Russia and Edwin H. Conger to Mexico.</p> - -<p>President Roosevelt announces his intention -of appointing ex-Representative -F. C. Tate, a Georgia Democrat, -United States District Attorney.</p> - -<p>Senator Hemenway, former Chairman of -the House Appropriations Committee, -figures a national deficit of $18,000,000 -for the coming year; while Representative -Livingstone (Dem.) says it will -reach $93,000,000.</p> - -<p class="day">March 9.—Commissioner of Commerce -James R. Garfield spends the day in -the New York offices of the Standard -Oil Company, investigating books and -reports.</p> - -<p>The Rev. Dr. Newman Smyth, of New -Haven, Conn., states before a legislative -committee that the sum of $150,000 -was expended in the recent senatorial -fight resulting in the election of -Morgan G. Bulkeley.</p> - -<p class="day">March 10.—To avoid legislative investigation, -the New York Telephone -Trust agrees to reduce its tolls 20 per -cent.</p> - -<p class="day">March 12.—Government agents unearth -great coal land frauds in Utah.</p> - -<p class="day">March 13.—The United States Supreme -Court decides that the peonage laws -are constitutional.</p> - -<p class="day">March 14.—The President is informed that -the treaty with Santo Domingo, which -has been radically amended by the -special session of the Senate, stands -no chance of receiving the two-thirds -vote necessary to its approval by that -body, as all the Democrats oppose it -and some of the Republicans are lukewarm.</p> - -<p>The New York State Senate passes resolution -directing an investigation of the -Gas Trust.</p> - -<p class="day">March 15.—Agreement is reached that the -Santo Domingo treaty is to be neither -ratified nor rejected at the special session -of the Senate, but is to be left over -to the next session.</p> - -<p>Governor James B. Frazier, of Tennessee, -is elected United States Senator to -succeed William B. Bates, deceased.</p> - -<p>Harry S. New, of Indiana, is made Vice-Chairman -and Acting Chairman of the -Republican National Committee.</p> - -<p class="day">March 16.—Secretary Taft states that the -Administration policy is indefinite retention -of the Philippine Islands and -that independence cannot come during -this generation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_378"></a>[Pg 378]</span></p> - -<p>The Colorado Legislature votes to seat -James H. Peabody (Rep.) as Governor, -unseating Alva Adams (Dem.), whose -majority on the face of the returns was -over 9,000. Peabody promises to resign -and let the Lieutenant-Governor -occupy the office.</p> - -<p>A New York legislative committee is appointed -to investigate the Gas Trust.</p> - -<p>Senator Morgan, of Alabama, attacks the -treaty with Santo Domingo, charging -that it was brought about through -an improper understanding between -William Nelson Cromwell, a New York -lawyer, and President Morales of Santo -Domingo.</p> - -<p class="day">March 17.—Mrs. Ella Knowles Reader, of -New York, asserts that the present situation -in Santo Domingo is due to the -interference of President Roosevelt to -prevent her plans for forming a treaty.</p> - -<p>Governor Peabody of Colorado resigns and -is succeeded by Lieutenant-Governor -Jesse F. Macdonald.</p> - -<p>The Attorney-General of Missouri begins -proceedings against the Standard Oil -Trust.</p> - -<p>Senator Carmack, of Tennessee, predicts -war between the United States and -Japan over the Philippines.</p> - -<p class="day">March 18.—The Missouri senatorial deadlock -is broken by the election of Major -William Warner (Rep.) to the United -States Senate.</p> - -<p>The special session of the United States -Senate adjourns without a vote on the -Santo Domingo treaty.</p> - -<p>Edwin V. Morgan, of New York, is appointed -Minister to Corea.</p> - -<p class="day">March 20.—By the order of a special Grand -Jury, a Beef Trust investigation is -started in Chicago.</p> - -<p class="day">March 21.—In John D. Rockefeller’s home, -North Tarrytown, N. Y., his candidate -for Mayor is overwhelmingly defeated -by a butcher.</p> - -<p class="day">March 23.—Truman H. Newberry, of Detroit, -is appointed Assistant Secretary -of the Navy.</p> - -<p>The Delaware Legislature adjourns without -electing a United States Senator.</p> - -<p>The Maryland Supreme Court orders the -Governor to submit the constitutional -amendment for negro disfranchisement -to popular vote.</p> - -<p class="day">March 25.—The Government declares its -intention to prosecute the Santa Fé -Railroad for giving rebates.</p> - -<p class="day">March 28.—President Roosevelt decides to -accede to the request of the Santo -Domingo Government to appoint an -agent to collect the revenues of that -country.</p> - -<p>The Federal Grand Jury sitting at Louisville, -Ky., indicts that city on four -counts for peonage.</p> - -<p>Dr. Washington Gladden, Moderator of -the Congregational Church, enters -formal protest against the Board of -Missions accepting the $100,000 gift -from John D. Rockefeller. In spite of -this and other objections, the board -accepts the donation.</p> - -<p class="day">March 29.—The President requests the resignation -of all members of the Panama -Canal Commission, also of General -George W. Davis, Governor of the -Canal zone. The request is complied -with immediately.</p> - -<p>W. E. Gould, of Baltimore, is appointed -American agent to collect customs in -Santo Domingo.</p> - -<p>The general counsel of the Panama Railroad -Company purchases for the Government -all but five of the outstanding -shares of the company.</p> - -<p class="day">March 30.—The United States Government -sends another warship to Santo Domingo.</p> - -<p>President Roosevelt appoints Judge -Charles E. Magoon, of Nebraska, Governor -of the Panama Canal zone.</p> - -<p>The Federal Grand Jury investigating the -Beef Trust at Chicago indicts T. J. -Connors, an Armour director, for tampering -with Government witnesses, and -it is reported that other indictments of -prominent trust officials will follow.</p> - -<p class="day">March 31.—The investigation of the Gas -Trust in New York discloses that the -value shown on the books is over -$15,000,000 more than that listed for -taxation. The secretary of the company -says he cannot explain the discrepancy.</p> - -<p class="day">April 1.—The Nebraska Legislature passes -the Junkin Anti-Trust bill, aimed at the -beef packers.</p> - -<p>Theodore P. Shonts, President of the -Clover Leaf Railroad, is appointed -Chairman of the new Panama Canal -Commission.</p> - -<p class="day">April 2.—Former Senators Frank J. Cannon -and Thomas Kearns, of Utah, declare -war on the Mormon Church. Mr. Cannon -denounces President Smith as a -“traitor.”</p> - -<p class="day">April 3.—The President completes the new -Panama Canal Commission and designates -salaries as follows: Theodore P. -Shonts, Chairman, salary, $30,000; -Charles E. Magoon, Governor of the -Canal zone, salary, $17,500; John F. -Wallace, Chief Engineer, salary, $25,000; -Rear-Admiral Mordecai F. Endicott, -Chief of the Navy Bureau of -Yards and Docks, salary, $7,500; Brigadier-General -Peter F. Haines, U.S.A., -retired, salary, $7,500; Colonel O. M. -Ernst, U.S.A., salary, $7,500; Benjamin -F. Harrod, of New Orleans, salary, -$7,500.</p> - -<p>President Roosevelt starts on a two -months’ outing, his trip to include a reunion -of his old Rough Rider regiment -and hunting excursions in Texas and -Colorado. He states that he leaves Secretary -of War Taft “sitting on the lid.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_379"></a>[Pg 379]</span></p> - -<p>Charles H. Moyer, President of the Western -Federation of Miners, sues ex-Governor -James H. Peabody and others for -$300,000 for false imprisonment during -the Colorado strike.</p> - -<p class="day">April 4.—At a municipal election in the -city of Chicago Edward F. Dunne -(Dem.) is elected Mayor over John M. -Harlan (Rep.) by a majority slightly -exceeding 24,000, thus reversing the -immense majority of over 60,000 by -which Theodore Roosevelt carried the -city five months ago. The issue in the -campaign just closed was that of municipal -ownership of the traction lines, -Judge Dunne standing for immediate -city ownership of these utilities.</p> - -<p>Rolla Wells (Dem.) is re-elected Mayor of -St. Louis by small plurality.</p> - -<p>President Roosevelt is given an ovation -in Louisville and other cities on his way -to Texas.</p> - -</div> - -<h3><i>General Home News</i></h3> - -<div class="news"> - -<p class="day">March 7.—The strike continues on the New -York Subway and Elevated railways. -The Subway trains are run intermittently -by “strike-breakers,” resulting in -one accident, seriously injuring over a -score of people.</p> - -<p class="day">March 8.—The Mayor of New York offers -to arbitrate the Subway strike. The -workingmen accept the offer, but the -company declines.</p> - -<p>The Standard Oil Company, in retaliation -for adverse legislative action in Kansas, -refuses to admit low-grade oil from -that state to its pipe lines, thus shutting -off from the market three-fourths -of the output.</p> - -<p class="day">March 9.—After a conference of national -labor leaders, Warren E. Stone, national -head of the Brotherhood of -Locomotive Engineers, declares the -New York Subway and “L” strike -unauthorized, and advises the men to -return to work. He is supported in -this by National Chief Mahon, of the -Amalgamated Street Railway workers. -This practically ends the strike, though -the local unions still hold out.</p> - -<p>For the first time in the history of medicine -New York surgeons succeed in -grafting a finger cut from the hand of -one person onto the hand of another.</p> - -<p class="day">March 10.—The will of William F. Milton, -of New York, gives to Harvard University -the sum of $1,000,000. James C. -Carter’s will gives $2,000,000 to the -same institution.</p> - -<p>Whitelaw Reid announces his retirement -as editor of the New York Tribune.</p> - -<p class="day">March 11.—The New York Subway and -“L” strike is officially declared ended. -The company announces that it will -take back no motormen over forty -years of age.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Cassie L. Chadwick, the notorious -“frenzied financier,” who raised millions -on forged notes bearing the signature -of Andrew Carnegie, is found guilty -after a short trial in Cleveland, O.</p> - -<p class="day">March 13.—Samuel Gompers, President of -the American Federation of Labor, says -that he will investigate the charge that -the New York Subway and “L” strike -was sold out.</p> - -<p>President Roosevelt addresses the National -Congress of Mothers at Washington -and denounces race suicide.</p> - -<p>The defection of one of the large mills -threatens to dissolve the Paper Trust.</p> - -<p>The independent packing companies, -with Schwarzschild & Sulzberger, of -Chicago, in the lead, organize to expose -and fight the Beef Trust.</p> - -<p>Justice Kelly, of the New York Supreme -Court, orders trial of the suit brought -by Hon. W. R. Hearst against the Gas -Trust.</p> - -<p class="day">March 14.—Nineteen persons are killed in -a New York tenement house fire.</p> - -<p>The war in the Equitable Life Assurance -Society is settled by the factions -agreeing on a plan to mutualize the -company.</p> - -<p>The Mormon Church excommunicates ex-United -States Senator Frank J. Cannon, -of Utah, because of editorials in -the Salt Lake Tribune, of which Mr. -Cannon is editor.</p> - -<p class="day">March 15.—A bull market in cotton is -started by Daniel J. Sully, one day -after he is released from bankruptcy.</p> - -<p>Andrew Carnegie declares that a Pan-American -railroad would be more -effective for defense than all the battleships -we can build.</p> - -<p class="day">March 17.—Secretary of State John Hay -sails on a European trip in an impaired -state of health.</p> - -<p>President Roosevelt addresses the Friendly -Sons of St. Patrick in New York, after -the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in -the history of the city.</p> - -<p class="day">March 19.—Twenty-four men are killed in -a mine explosion near Thurmond, -W. Va.</p> - -<p>The Panama Canal Commission issues a -long statement denying charges made -against the body relating to the sanitation -of the Isthmus.</p> - -<p>Senator Thomas H. Carter, head of -the Government commission, reports -charges of wholesale bribery in connection -with the giving out of awards -by the St. Louis World’s Fair officials.</p> - -<p>John D. Rockefeller, George J. Gould and -other prominent men are reported to -be implicated in the Utah coal land -frauds.</p> - -<p class="day">March 20.—Over one hundred workmen are -killed and wounded by a boiler explosion -in a shoe factory at Brockton, -Mass.</p> - -<p>Three thousand men are thrown out of -work by the shut-down of one of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_380"></a>[Pg 380]</span> -Havemeyer sugar refineries at Brooklyn, -N. Y.</p> - -<p class="day">March 21.—Twenty-seven New England -Congregational clergymen enter vigorous -protest against the acceptance -of a $100,000 gift from John D. Rockefeller -to the Board of Missions of that -church.</p> - -<p class="day">March 22.—It is given out at Denver that -the strike and contest over the governorship -have cost the state of Colorado -$2,000,000.</p> - -<p>More than 11,000 immigrants land at -Ellis Island, New York, in two days, -thus breaking all former records.</p> - -<p class="day">March 23.—The Wyoming court decides -against granting a decree of divorce to -Colonel William F. Cody (“Buffalo -Bill”).</p> - -<p>The ship with which Lieutenant Robert -E. Peary will make another attempt to -reach the North Pole is launched at -Bucksport, Me., and is christened -the <i>Roosevelt</i>.</p> - -<p class="day">March 25.—A plan to merge the Massachusetts -Institute of Technology with -Harvard University is made public in -Boston.</p> - -<p>The New York Central Railroad announces -that in the near future it will -supplant all its steam locomotives with -electric motors.</p> - -<p class="day">March 27.—Mrs. Cassie L. Chadwick is -sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment.</p> - -<p>Gessler Rosseau is found guilty at New -York of having sent an infernal machine -to blow up the steamship <i>Umbria</i>.</p> - -<p>Andrew Carnegie announces that henceforth -he will give donations to small -colleges in preference to founding -libraries.</p> - -<p class="day">March 28.—Governor Joseph W. Folk of -Missouri, at a speech in New York, -declares that bribery is treason, and -says that his state is leading a movement -to make it odious throughout the -country.</p> - -<p class="day">March 29.—A disastrous fire over 100 feet -underground is caused by a wreck in -the New York Subway.</p> - -<p class="day">March 30.—The New York legislative committee -investigating the Gas Trust develops -the fact that the company has -been paying 10 per cent. dividends on -watered stock.</p> - -<p>Charges are made that James H. Hyde, -First Vice-President of the Equitable -Life Assurance Society, used company -funds in paying expenses of spectacular -balls of last winter; also his private -servants.</p> - -<p>President Mellen, of the New York, New -Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, -tells a legislative committee -that great abuses have grown up in the -railroad business, and says that there -should be stricter state and Government -control.</p> - -<p class="day">March 31.—Harry N. Pillsbury, the American -chess champion, attempts suicide -at Philadelphia, but is prevented.</p> - -<p>Henry H. Rogers, of the Standard Oil -Company, issues a defense of John D. -Rockefeller’s gift to missions, and incidentally -attacks ministers and deacons -and defends railroad rebates to -his company.</p> - -<p class="day">April 1.—A mysterious epidemic of spinal -meningitis, or “spotted fever,” is ravaging -New York and other cities and -baffles the medical profession. Over a -thousand deaths have occurred since -the first of the year.</p> - -<p>Mr. and Mrs. J. Morgan Smith, brother-in-law -and sister of the notorious Nan -Patterson, are located in Cincinnati, and -letters are secured which, it is said, will -have an important bearing on the trial -of the actress for the murder of the -bookmaker, “Cæsar” Young.</p> - -<p>In the Equitable Life Assurance Society -war James H. Hyde, the First Vice-President, -denies the charges made against -him and retains Elihu Root, Samuel -Untermeyer and others as counsel. He -announces that if President Alexander -wants a fight he can have it. The -State Insurance Department of New -York takes a hand in the case, and an -investigation of the company’s affairs -is ordered. The Alexander forces charge -that loans have been made out of the -association’s funds to Edward H. Harriman, -of the U. P. R. R., that the -dinner to French Ambassador Cambon -was paid from the company’s money, -and that Vice-President Hyde has -usurped the President’s functions. -Chairman John D. Crimmins, of the -committee of policyholders for mutualizing -the society, announces that the -Hyde faction has conceded all the committee’s -demands and that the Alexander -people alone stood in the way. For -this reason Mr. Crimmins, who was understood -heretofore to stand with Alexander, -refuses to go further in what he -terms the personal fight on Hyde.</p> - -<p>President Samuel Gompers, of the American -Federation of Labor, sends out a -warning to the members that the Socialists -are attempting to disrupt the -organization.</p> - -<p>In the Gas Trust inquiry an official of -the company admits that there is $12,000,000 -watered stock in the corporation.</p> - -<p>At a meeting of the National Association -of State Dairy and Food Departments -being held in Chicago, J. M. Hurty, Secretary -of the Indiana Board, states that -455,000 babies were killed last year by -adulteration of milk and other infants’ -foods.</p> - -<p>A threatened coal strike in Pennsylvania -is averted by the granting of the wage -scale of last year.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_381"></a>[Pg 381]</span></p> - -<p class="day">April 2.—H. Rider Haggard, in an interview -given to the New York <i>Journal</i>, says -that the poor of America are as miserable -as those of England.</p> - -<p class="day">April 3.—Fifty men are entombed in a mine -explosion at Zeigler, Ill. Most of them -are believed to have been killed.</p> - -<p class="day">April 4.—Vice-President Hyde, of the Equitable -Life, accuses President Alexander -of being in a conspiracy to ruin the -company, and cites as one of his proofs -the fact that Second Vice-President -George E. Tarbell, one of Alexander’s -supporters, disposed of his interests in -the company before beginning the present -fight.</p> - -<p class="day">April 5.—J. G. Phelps Stokes, the New York -millionaire philanthropist, announces -that he is soon to marry a poor East -Side settlement worker, the daughter -of a Russian Jew.</p> - -<p class="day">April 6.—In a meeting of the Board of Directors -of the Equitable Life Assurance -Society, Vice-President James H. Hyde -wins a virtual victory at all points over -President Alexander. The Hyde-Crimmins -two-year mutualization plan is -adopted and Hyde committees are appointed -to investigate the affairs of the -company.</p> - -<p>S. C. T. Dodd, chief solicitor of the Standard -Oil Company, defends John D. -Rockefeller from the attacks of Congregational -ministers and others, which -he terms “vile” and “doubly vile.”</p> - -</div> - -<h3><i>The Russo-Japanese War</i></h3> - -<div class="news"> - -<p class="day">March 7.—General Kuropatkin stubbornly -resists the Japanese advance about -Mukden, but the day generally goes -against him. Fighting is heaviest west -and northwest of Manchurian capital.</p> - -<p class="day">March 8.—The Japanese crush the Russian -eastern wing and cut off General Rennenkampf’s -division. They also continue -vigorous attacks on the west -and northwest and reach a position -directly north of Mukden.</p> - -<p>General Kuropatkin retreats from his -southern and centre positions on the -Shakhe River, abandoning siege guns -and burning stores.</p> - -<p>It is reported that the Russian Baltic -fleet starts on its return, having gone -no farther east than Madagascar.</p> - -<p class="day">March 9.—General Kuroki drives the Russians -from Fushun and terrific fighting -continues all about Mukden. Marshal -Oyama reports the cutting of the railroad -between Mukden and Tieling. -The Japanese, after several fierce onslaughts, -succeed in taking a hill considered -the key to the Manchurian capital, -and Oyama predicts that Mukden -will fall tomorrow.</p> - -<p class="day">March 10.—At ten o’clock in the morning -the Japanese capture Mukden, and -General Kuropatkin begins a demoralized -retreat to the Northwest, battling -to save a remnant of his once great -army. This is made the more difficult -by the almost complete circle that the -forces of Marshal Oyama have made -about the Russians. Great numbers -of prisoners, and immense quantities -of guns, ammunition, food and other -supplies, fall into the hands of the victors.</p> - -<p>Count Tolstoi writes to the London <i>Times</i> -denouncing this as a “reckless, disgraceful, -cruel war instigated by a score -of immoral individuals.”</p> - -<p class="day">March 11.—General Kuropatkin reports -that the remnants of his armies are -retreating on Tieling. They are still -harassed by Japanese attacks. The -Russians have lost considerably more -than 100,000 men. The battle of Mukden, -which has ended in such a disastrous -Russian defeat, is the greatest in -history, having lasted twelve days and -having involved nearly 1,000,000 men. -It marks Field Marshal Oyama as one -of the world’s great commanders.</p> - -<p class="day">March 12.—The Russian losses in the battle -of Mukden are now placed at about -150,000; Japanese losses at about -40,000.</p> - -<p>It is reported that the Czar will send another -army to the Far East and will -order the Baltic squadron to go forward -and give battle to Admiral Togo.</p> - -<p class="day">March 13.—The main body of the Russian -troops reach Tie Pass, hard pressed by -their foes. General Kuropatkin reports -50,000 wounded in the past few -days. Marshal Oyama reports the -country swept clear of Russians for a -distance of twenty-five miles north of -Mukden.</p> - -<p class="day">March 14.—The Russian War Council in -session with the Czar votes to continue -the war.</p> - -<p>Despite a repulse south of Tie Pass, the -Japanese continue a rearguard attack -on the retreating Russians.</p> - -<p class="day">March 15.—A Japanese fleet of twenty-two -warships going westward is sighted off -Singapore, India.</p> - -<p class="day">March 17.—The Czar curtly dismisses General -Kuropatkin from his command, -and promotes Lieutenant-General Linevitch, -heretofore at the head of the -first army, to be Commander-in-Chief -of all the forces in Manchuria.</p> - -<p>The Russian War Council decides to -place a new army of 450,000 men in -the field, and orders the Baltic squadron -to proceed on its way to the East.</p> - -<p>The Russian army, having abandoned Tie -Pass, continues its flight northward, -harassed by Japanese attacks from all -sides.</p> - -<p class="day">March 19.—The Russians are still retreating -and Kai-Yuan and Fakoman are occupied -by the Japanese.</p> - -<p class="day">March 21.—General Kuropatkin returns to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_382"></a>[Pg 382]</span> -the front to accept a subordinate command -under General Linevitch.</p> - -<p class="day">March 22.—All the Russian ministers but -two are now said to favor peace.</p> - -<p class="day">March 24.—The Russian troops halt for a -short rest at a point seventy-four -miles north of Tie Pass. The Japanese -armies are believed to be executing -another flanking movement.</p> - -<p class="day">March 25.—It is given out from St. Petersburg -that the Russians have sent -800,000 men to the front since the -beginning of the war.</p> - -<p class="day">March 28.—The Japanese again attack the -rearguard of the retreating Russians. -General Oku reports that the spring -thaws make the movements of both -armies difficult.</p> - -<p>It is no longer denied that the Russian -Government is moving for peace.</p> - -<p class="day">March 29.—A court-martial is designated to -try General Stoessel, it being customary -in Russia to so try any officer -that surrenders.</p> - -<p>All Europe shows eagerness to invest in -the new Japanese bonds.</p> - -<p class="day">March 30.—Both Russia and Japan deny -that they are making any efforts to -bring about peace.</p> - -<p>General Linevitch issues an address to -his troops, closing with the words, “May -God help you in the coming battle.”</p> - -<p>The Japanese continue their flanking -movement and skirmishes occur between -them and the Russian outposts.</p> - -<p class="day">March 31.—General Sakharoff, former Chief -of Staff, quits the Russian army because -of a quarrel with General Linevitch. -General Stakelburg also leaves, -the reason assigned being ill health.</p> - -<p>The Russian Baltic fleet, which left -Madagascar on March 16, is reported in -bad condition.</p> - -<p class="day">April 3.—A bomb explosion at Harbin destroys -seventy-five persons and an immense -amount of Russian supplies.</p> - -<p>Prince Ouktomsky, deposed from the -command of the Port Arthur squadron, -reaches St. Petersburg and demands a -court-martial.</p> - -<p class="day">April 6.—Both the Russian Baltic fleet and -the Japanese fleet under Admiral Togo -are reported approaching each other in -the vicinity of the China Sea.</p> - -</div> - -<h3><i>General Foreign News</i></h3> - -<div class="news"> - -<p class="day">March 7.—Practically half of the workingmen -of St. Petersburg are on strike. -The situation continues grave, though -quiet, at Warsaw and at other points in -Russia.</p> - -<p>Hon. George Wyndham, Chief Secretary -for Ireland, resigns from the British -Ministry.</p> - -<p class="day">March 8.—The peasant revolt in outlying -Russian provinces is rapidly spreading.</p> - -<p>Men at the Russian naval dockyard go on -strike.</p> - -<p>China decides to build immediately the -Kalgan Railway and to place it under a -Chinese engineer, which is regarded as -an anti-Russian move.</p> - -<p>On a fiscal policy division forced by Winston -Churchill in the British House of -Commons the Government is sustained -by a majority of 42.</p> - -<p>Both Premier Balfour and Joseph Chamberlain -deny that they are protectionists.</p> - -<p class="day">March 9.—Russia pushes troops toward her -Indian frontier, in evident opposition to -Great Britain’s moves in Thibet, Persia -and other Central Asiatic territory.</p> - -<p>The plague in India kills 34,000 in one -week.</p> - -<p class="day">March 10.—It is reported that the Russian -revolutionists have agreed to a general -uprising on May 1.</p> - -<p>The rioting of the Russian peasants continues, -and great destruction of property -is reported from Tchemigoff, Orel -and Hursk.</p> - -<p class="day">March 14.—French bankers refuse to negotiate -a loan to Russia until more is -known of the intentions of the Russian -Government.</p> - -<p>The Canadian authorities serve notice on -polygamous Mormons that they must -either leave the country or be prosecuted.</p> - -<p>Russian peasants pillage the estate of the -late Grand Duke Sergius in the Dimitrov -district.</p> - -<p>The peasant uprisings spread to the northwest -provinces of Vilna and Kovno.</p> - -<p class="day">March 16.—William Marconi, the inventor, -is married to Beatrice O’Brien, sister of -Lord Inchiquin.</p> - -<p class="day">March 17.—Mobilization orders lead to renewal -of strikes in Russian Poland.</p> - -<p>France complains to the United States of -the infringement of the rights of the -French Cable Company in Venezuela.</p> - -<p class="day">March 19.—An international conference at -Vienna considers the proposal to form a -World’s Chamber of Agriculture.</p> - -<p class="day">March 20.—Governor Miasoredeff, of Viborg, -one of the Russian provinces of Finland, -is shot and seriously wounded by a -fifteen-year-old boy who proclaims himself -a “revolutionist.”</p> - -<p class="day">March 21.—After a great debate in the -French Chamber of Deputies, a motion -to postpone the bill separating church -and state is defeated by a vote of 363 -to 40.</p> - -<p class="day">March 22.—Many peasants are killed and -wounded by Russian troops in the -provinces of Kutno and Ostrow.</p> - -<p>The British House of Commons condemns -the proposal of a protective tariff -by a vote of 254 to 2.</p> - -<p class="day">March 23.—It is announced in the British -Parliament that up to March 11 of this -year there have been 346,000 deaths -from the plague in India.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_383"></a>[Pg 383]</span></p> - -<p>President Morales of Santo Domingo declares -that unless the treaty with the -United States is ratified there will be a -revolution in that country.</p> - -<p class="day">March 24.—President Castro of Venezuela -curtly declines to arbitrate the asphalt -controversy with the United States.</p> - -<p class="day">March 25.—Under a tentative arrangement -made with President Morales of Santo -Domingo, the revenues of that country -will be collected by an agent named by -President Roosevelt.</p> - -<p class="day">March 26.—Baron von Molken, chief of the -Warsaw police, is severely wounded by -a bomb which destroyed his carriage.</p> - -<p>Internal disturbances are again on the increase -throughout Russia.</p> - -<p>It is announced that King Alfonso of -Spain is to marry the Princess Patricia -of England.</p> - -<p class="day">March 27.—Warehouses and shops at Yalta, -Russia, are pillaged and burned by rioting -mujiks.</p> - -<p class="day">March 29.—The Swiss Bundesrath rejects -the commercial treaty with the United -States owing to amendments made to -that instrument by the United States -Senate.</p> - -<p class="day">March 30.—President Castro of Venezuela -turns on his accusers and states that he -has documentary evidence that both -the French Cable Company and the -American Asphalt Company are in -league with the revolutionists.</p> - -<p>Emperor William of Germany sails for -Morocco.</p> - -<p>Several prominent “terrorists” are arrested -in St. Petersburg, among them -being two women.</p> - -<p>Peasant outbreaks continue in Russia -and the Kharkoff district is laid waste.</p> - -<p>Another meeting of the Zemstvo representatives -is called at St. Petersburg for -the end of April.</p> - -<p>The Italian Ambassador states that Italy -would have taken drastic measures to -collect her debt from Santo Domingo, -had President Roosevelt not taken the -matter in hand.</p> - -<p class="day">March 31.—Emperor William at Tangier -gives assurance that Germany will protect -the integrity of Morocco and maintain -the “open door.”</p> - -<p>President Arnal, of the highest court of -Venezuela, declares that the French -Cable Company has forfeited its contract.</p> - -<p>The agrarian risings in Russia reach such -proportions as to overshadow the war. -They render further mobilization of -troops impossible.</p> - -<p>An important group of the Russian clergy -declares for the separation of church -and state.</p> - -<p class="day">April 1.—The Federal District Court of Venezuela -charges General Francis V. -Greene, an official of the New York and -Bermudez Asphalt Company, with having -given $130,000 to the rebels in the Matos -revolution against President Castro.</p> - -<p>Camille Flammarion, the celebrated -French astronomer, predicts a hot summer -because of the sun spots.</p> - -<p>The <i>Victorian</i>, the first turbine steamer -to cross the Atlantic, makes the trip in -a little less than eight days.</p> - -<p>The Police Commissioner of Lodz, Russian -Poland, is severely wounded by a -bomb explosion.</p> - -<p class="day">April 2.—Four persons are killed and forty -injured in renewed riots at Warsaw.</p> - -<p class="day">April 4.—Severe earthquakes in Northern -India cause much loss of life and damage -to cities.</p> - -<p>H. B. Irving, son of Sir Henry Irving, -wins a triumph in London in his first -appearance, playing Hamlet.</p> - -<p class="day">April 5.—A Russian medical congress at -Moscow adopts peace resolution and -favors a constitution and other radical -demands.</p> - -<p>A newly appointed member of the British -Cabinet is defeated for re-election to -Parliament in a district that has not -before gone Liberal in twenty years. -Winston Churchill says it is the beginning -of the end of the present Government.</p> - -<p class="day">April 6.—King Edward of England and -President Loubet of France meet in -extended interview at Paris. This is regarded -as significant in strengthening -the understanding between France and -England relating to Morocco and as -being a counter move to Emperor William’s -assurance of political integrity of -that country.</p> - -<p>The reform movement increases throughout -Russia.</p> - -</div> - -<h3><i>Obituary</i></h3> - -<div class="news"> - -<p class="day">March 7.—John H. Reagan, former United -States Senator and State Railroad -Commissioner, dies at his home in -Texas, aged 87.</p> - -<p>Albert M. Palmer, veteran theatrical manager, -dies at his home in New York, -aged 66.</p> - -<p class="day">March 8.—Henry A. Barclay, prominent -New York business and race-track man, -dies at his home, aged 60.</p> - -<p>Rear-Admiral Edwin S. Houston, United -States Navy, dies at Lausanne, Switzerland, -aged 60.</p> - -<p class="day">March 9.—William Brimage Bate, United -States Senator from Tennessee and -former Governor and Major-General, -C.S.A., dies in Washington, aged 78.</p> - -<p class="day">March 12.—Caleb Huse, foreign purchasing -agent for the Confederate Government, -dies at the age of 75.</p> - -<p class="day">March 14.—Henry R. Reed, millionaire -sugar merchant, of Boston, aged 62, -dies under mysterious circumstances in -a New York hotel.</p> - -<p>Henry Cyril Paget, Marquis of Anglesey, -dies at Monte Carlo, aged 30.</p> - -<p class="day">March 16.—Meyer Guggenheim, prominent -New York capitalist and head of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_384"></a>[Pg 384]</span> -Smelter Trust, dies at Palm Beach, -Fla., aged 78.</p> - -<p class="day">March 17.—Lot Thomas, former Congressman -from Iowa, dies at the age of 61.</p> - -<p>Charles C. Cole, former Supreme Court -Justice, District of Columbia, dies at -Washington, aged 64.</p> - -<p class="day">March 18.—General Joseph R. Hawley, -former United States Senator from -Connecticut, dies at the age of 78.</p> - -<p>Cyrus G. Luce, once Governor of Michigan, -dies at the age of 80.</p> - -<p class="day">March 22.—M. Antonin Proust, French -author and former member of Gambetta -Cabinet, dies at Paris.</p> - -<p>Rev. Dr. Elmer H. Capen, former President -of Tufts College, dies at the age -of 76.</p> - -<p class="day">March 24.—Jules Verne, the celebrated -novelist, dies from a stroke of paralysis -at Amiens, France, aged 76.</p> - -<p>Señor Manuel de Aspiroz, Mexican Ambassador -to the United States, dies at -Washington, aged 68.</p> - -<p class="day">March 29.—Jacob L. Greene, President of -the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance -Company, dies at his home in Hartford, -aged 67.</p> - -<p>William Hammond, a prominent real -estate man of Boston, Mass., commits -suicide in the Hotel Astor, New York.</p> - -<p class="day">March 30.—Hugo Jacobson, the American -representative of a French steel firm, -commits suicide at the Hotel Breslin, -New York.</p> - -<p class="day">March 31.—The Dowager Duchess of Abercorn, -grandmother of the Duke of -Marlborough, dies at London, aged 92.</p> - -<p>William H. Muker, once well-known -American actor, dies at New Rochelle, -N. Y., aged 83.</p> - -<p>Dr. William Bodenhamer, once family -physician of Commodore Vanderbilt, -dies at New Rochelle, N. Y., aged 97.</p> - -<p class="day">April 1.—James M. Seymour, former mayor -of Newark, N. J., and Democratic candidate -for Governor, dies at the age of -67.</p> - -<p class="day">April 2.—William F. Potter, President of -the Long Island Railroad Company, -dies of spinal meningitis, aged 50.</p> - -<p class="day">April 4.—William H. Delius, son-in-law of -Chief-Justice Fuller, of the United States -Supreme Court, dies by suicide at Chicago, -aged 53.</p> - -<p>Bishop Alphonse Favier, Catholic Apostolic -Vicar to China, dies at Pekin, aged -68.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<a name="Toll" id="Toll"> </a> -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Toll</i></h2></div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0"><span class="bigfont">O</span>NE fashions beauty into form, to shapes most wondrous fair;</span> - <span class="i0">There comes a stranger to his door and claims an equal share</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">Another plants the seed and sees the harvest spring—that day</span> - <span class="i0">Comes one whose face he does not know, and takes a third away.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">A little child, whose plaintive mouth has never learned to laugh,</span> - <span class="i0">Sits stringing beads—to her appears the man who claims his half.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">A woman with her needle sits—and one stitch out of three</span> - <span class="i0">She takes for him whose face perhaps her eyes shall never see.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">And where the mighty merchant ships in the great harbors wait—</span> - <span class="i0">His is the service of the crews and his the share of freight.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">And who is he, who walks abroad in all his pomp and pride,</span> - <span class="i0">Who takes his toll, and nothing gives, and will not be denied?</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">A wondrous miracle is he—but not of God because,</span> - <span class="i0">He can be banished as he came—by simple change of laws.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">The laws that give to manikin dominion of the sod,</span> - <span class="i0">Appareled him in majesty, and made him as a god.</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">Oh, sad the tale and grim the tale, that now is almost told,</span> - <span class="i0">And but a little while, and then—the stupid drama’s old!</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="i0">But strange we’ll seem to future times, with our fantastic tricks,</span> - <span class="i0">Who worshiped God one day in seven and cheated Him in six!</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="right"><span class="smcap">Joseph Dana Miller.</span></div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="transnote bbox"> - -<p class="f120 space-above1">Transcriber’s Notes:</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="indent">Antiquated spellings were preserved.</p> - -<p class="indent">Typographical errors have been silently corrected.</p> - -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM WATSON'S MAGAZINE, VOL. I, NO. 3, MAY 1905 ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. 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