St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-10-11
THE ANARCHIST.
A Rule That Didn't Work Both Ways


slid forward a large black valise and
crowded in beside him, finding accom-
modatiOns for his feet as best he could,
his baggage blocking the floor space
seriously.
Gerald read on, but soon became
aware that his companion exhaled I'M
savOry Odors. He glanced at the new
conner, who was of squat, brawny fig
ure, broad, low head, heavy percep-
tives, greedy eyes, shaggy brows, pug
nose and crude face, but wearing an
expression of pOsitiveness and decis-
ion. He looked like mechanic who
feared neither dirt nor any man.
Gerald turned from his grimy seat
mate and glanced out of the window,
where ripening fields of grain and dis
tant orchards laden with choice fruits
refreshed the eye. AS he again faced
about he caught his companions gaze.
Picking up his paper Gerald remark ed
casually, with courteous tone:
"Providence has been good to us
this season." and gave final glance
at the kilograms.
81 don't believe in Providence" was
the quick reply.
"Weather them" rejoined Gerald in
differently, opening to the editorials.
"Don't believe in weather either.
Not in this climate" growled the
stranger, his voice harsh and accent
discontinued.
Gerald vouchsafed no reply but
plunged into the BREWER.
'I don't believe in law" continued
the stranger.
Gerald read on.
"Nor police"
Gerald read on.
~ don't believe in private property,
sir.'
Gerald put down his paper annoyed.
immigration gives us strange company,
and custom accords much to fellow
travellers, but woe to him who intrudes
on the American without canse when
absorbed in his daily paper. Gerald
glared wrathfully, but the stranger
was as imperviOus to angry looks as a
turtle to raindrops. The1eupon Gerald
responded saIcastically
81 have little interest in what people
don't belive. Tell me what you do be-
| lieve."
The stranger was nonplussed, but
presently stammered, "I believe in Il
common right TO lands and property"
az see. What's mines yours, ell ?"
The stranger nodded.
"Thanks - cried Gerald. And he
seized the valise and drew it over
| toward his own feet.
The stranger showed alarm. He
pushed away Gerald's light fingers
with a heavy hand, and drew the
valise gently back.
Gerald exclaimed cOntemptuOusly,
''That doctrine don't apply when the
other fellow is smaller than you, ell p
and he resumed once more the pom
derosities of his newspaper.
Carefully replacing his black valise,
the anarchist replied, ooh, [ don't
mind your quips. Your idea is all
right, but the fact is. have something
dangerous there, and it must be handl
ed cautiously. Yes, L believe, sir, in
community of property. Equal share
and ownership"
The veins stood forth on Gerald's
forehead. His eyes sparkled with in
dignation. His native good sense was
affronted, and he dropped his paper to
retort.
"PrepOsterOus! Some men are Great
ed with superior abilities. You can't
hold all to dead level. 1t would de-
stroy ambition"
l.
gesture.
eve have got to have law saying
how much man shall own. Earnings
beyond that to go into common fund"
"My friend, you might as well burst
in on a man sword in hand, and say,
do you eat red pepper on your beef
must, or die. He'll hump up, fire the
stn al, 1o,,
at you, work his way back to the
wOodshed, come in with the Ratchet
and crowbar, and clean you out. Such
has right to his own tastes and his
own winnings"
The stranger asserted grimly, 81 Can
force the question"
Gerald lifted his chin and said no
more. He picked up his newspaper.
His companion opened the valise and
touched Gerald softly, to draw notice.
This valise was crammed with cotton,
wherein lay snugly packed several dull
globular objects.
"Bombs!" whispered the stranger.
Dynamite from Cincinnati. These
will force the question quick enough"
Gerald gasped and drew back. The
round leaden missiles appeared porten-
tous. But his nerve soon rallied.
Doesn't it occur to you that in case
of a railroad collision-?" he said sug-
gestively.
The stranger smiled, like one who
has presented an invincible argument.
WhereupOn Gerald caught up bomb
and made a pretence of casting it in
the aisle. His companion paled and
sat terrified. Gerald put back the
bomb into its batting, and once more
took up his paper, saying derisively
"You are afraid of your own weap-
ons. Guess you'll never do much
harm"
Swift came the response:
"Afraid, because | know their pow
er. You are easy, because you don't"
Gerald, who was a jobber in drugs |
and chemicals, smiled wryly, and again
essayed those editorials.
But his persistent fellOw-traveller |
gave him no peace. He moved closer,
to whisper fercely:
"Capital is the product of the many.
Its monopoly by the few must cease.
We must all get the benefit of it,"
Gerald responded impatiently:
ave do get the benefit. Capital |
means savings, and savings mean in
vestment, which develops mines, man
ufactures, commerce, and gives labor
We can all save if we
know enough, but it is law of nature
that man must bear the results of his
ignorance. The true road to capital is
by study and trial, by temperance and
disciplined judgment. Instead we go
bruising our way in headlong stupidi- /
ty, cursing everybody but ourselves.
Self-cOuceit is the great har which