St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-10-11


this world. We want to put all blame
off upon somebody else"
The stranger nodded grimly: "Wait
and you will see There is corps of
us drilling, and one of these days we'll
rack Frisco from stem to stern. Mob
Hill has got to come down! And the
crowd are going to enjoy what their
tyrants now have"
An abstract protest trembled on Ger
AIDS tongue. But what use to utter
itq The hard visage beside him look
ed but one way. The set wits reject
ed generalities. He replied once more
with allegOry:
81 see. Chanticleer looks over the
fence, sees another fowl with a covey
of hens, and cries get out! You are a
tyrant.' Flies over, tears his comb,
and rules the covey with just the same
iron law. In place of what you now
call tyranny of the few you would put
tyranny of the many, blighting the
rise of every aspiring soul, and driving
back into the ranks every man who
wants to improve. Don't pirate on
high moral grounds, but say frankly
that you want your class to get the
spoils Tell me, were you born in this
country 2"
"No. I was born-Hallo! Here's
my station. get out here"
The wheels stopped. The stranger
rose and caught up his valise. He
started forth unceremOniously.
Gerald accompanied him. This man
with his dynamite bombs, declared
enemy of society, must be denounced.
He followed to the platform. 1t was
a small country station. A grain ele-
vatOr, cattle yard, distant grocery,
waving grain, sweep of river, radiant
sky. But no police, no authorities, to
arrest or investigate. The dynamiter
started off, bearing his deadly baggage.
AS the wheels again turned Gerald
called after him:
"Suppose | am rich and divide with
you. You go off, squander your mon
ey, and come back destitute. What
am to do 2"
The stranger turned, and holding his
vallse steadily with one hand while he
thrust his other hand into a coat peck
ct, showed his yellow teeth in SIMS
ter smile, and growled: "Divide again"
Gerald returned to his seat indig-
nant. Clearly these United States are
absorbing more raw immigration than
can be assimilated readily.
He cogitated as he sped toward town.
This confusion of liberty and license,
this misunderstanding of organic
rights, must be checked. 1t seemed
time to advocate a new department in
our prisons, where dangerous ignorance
may have a three years course in polit-
ical economy.
Some months later Gerald noticed
that his book keeper, Phillips, was
making many errors and wore a
troubled face. AS time went by these
blunders increased and the expression
of anxiety deepened toward despair.
Phillips was in trouble. Gerald hint
ed his interest in the matter.
Thereupon Phillips uubosomed him
self. A year before he had mortgaged
his home for thousand dollars, and
bought a share in sealing company
whose schooner Iskum caught fire and
burned off the Alaska coast. His
mortgage came due tomorrow, and
foreclosure was threatened. Gilfast,
original holder of the instrument (the
well-known benevolent banker,) died
four months ago. 1t had passed to
Gilfast's cousin, JOrx, who was inexor
able. Phillips begged of Gerald to see
Jorx and arrange for its renewal. He
himself had failed to obtain any con-
cessiOns.
Accordingly Gerald fastened to the
bank, determined if no other way was
open to buy the mortgage himself.
For Phillips had been long in his en-
ploy, and was worthy and deserving
gentleman.
He was shown to the private Office of
Mr.. Jorx.
"Well, sir ?" demanded Mr.. Jorx,
man in tidy business attire, of squat,
stout figure, shaggy brows and pug
nose.
Gerald stated his business, mean
time studying in perplexity the face
before him. He had seen Jorx before.
But wheIe2 All He remembered the
bombs. This was the anarchist!
Gerald's face lighted. By stimuli
taneous ray of recollection in the
greedy eyes of the banker, Gerald
Faulkner saw that he was remembered.
He at once continued:
'It ought to be easy to arrange this
matter with you, Mr.. Jorx, for you be-
lieve in equality of rights. recall dis
tinctly your liberal views upon the
sharing of capital when we met last.
You certainly are not the one to op-
press your fellowman."
Mr.. Jorx appeared embarrassed. He
hemmed delay and wheeled to and fro
in his adjustable rattan chair. At last
he stammered: "That was before |
came into the property. | did not I'M
derstand these things as [ do now"
"How2 Not believe in division of
capital 2" persisted Gerald, gently.
Mr.. JOrx hesitated and turned red in
the face.
"No. Fact is, capital is the great
benefaction of our race. Capital in the
hands of energetic men, as it always is
in this country, gives work to the
crowd, opens new fields of labor, Gre
ates new machinery and methods to
cheaper everything, and is the poor
mans best friend. He ought to work
with it and not against it,"
"But how about bombs, common
right to property, and so forth ~
Only a quip of mine ]" cried Mr..
Jorx, rising abruptly and with evident
desire to end the interview. GAS for
your friend, Mr.. Phillips, will concede
him another year or two at the same
rate of interest"
Gerald Faulkner discreetly took his
leave. Descending the polished steps
of the bank, he muttered:
fThis man is not the first fool made |
wiser by little property. So many
see only the side their pocket hangs
On. Clearly, the chief duty of true
nowadays is to maintain
the law and give equitable protection
TO every man ~
Keep Out of the Law.
Mem York Herald