The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-10-25
THE ANARCHIST.

Gerald Faulkner took the morning
train at Sacramento for San Francisco.
Gerald was of Puritan ancestry, from
an old, old American family. There
fore he was of small stature, with un-
certain digestion, eagle face, quick,
self-reliant, tolerant spirit, and nimble
wits. He sat near a window. opened
his daily paper, and searched for news
as the train set forth.
A late conner stopped in the aisle
near by. Gerald Hospitality drew
closer to the window and made room,
still intent upon his paper. The
stranger slid forward large black
valise and crowded in beside him, find
ing accommodations for his feet as
best he could, his baggage blocking
the floor space seriously.
Gerald read on, but soon became
aware that his companion eXhalcd un-
savory Odors. He glanced nj 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 deci-
sion. He looked like mechanic who
Gerald turned from his grimy seat
mate and glancedsout of the window,
where ripening fields of grain and dis
refreshed the eye. As he again faced
about he caught his companions gaze.
Picking up his pager, Gerald remarked
casually, with courteous tone:
providence has been good to us this
season." and gave final glance at the
kilograms.
Il 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.
Il don't believe in law" continued
the stranger.
Gerald read on.
Nor police
Gerald gave no heed.
Il 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 tC7him who intrudes
on the American without cause when
absorbed in his daily paper! Gerald
glared wrathfully, but the stranger
was as impervious tonag ry looks as a
turtle to raindrops. Thereupon Ger
aid responded sarcastically:
II have little interest in what peoi@c
don't believe. Tell me what y94 du
believe"
The stranger was nonplussed, tbut
presently stammered, Il believe in a
common right to lands and property
81 see. What's mines yours, eh u
The stranger nodded. ,:.x
eThanksri cried Gerald. Ar (
seized the valise and drew it q b;
ward his own feet.
The stranger showed alarnfg He
pushed away Gerald light fingers with
his heavy hand, and drew the valise
gently back.
Gerald exclaimed contemptuously
''That doctrine don't apply when the
other fellow is smaller than you. eh?'
And he resumed once more the pom
derosities of his newspaper.
Carefully replacing his black valise
the anarchist replied, 30, don't minC
your quips. Your ideas are all right
but the fact is have something dan
gerous there, and it must be handled
cautiously. Yes, believe, sir, in com
munity of property. Equal sharing
and ownership"
The veins stood forth on Gerald
forehead. His eyes sparkled with in
dignation. His native good sense wa
affronted, and he dropped his paper t.
retort.
''Preposterous! Some men are created
with superior abilities. You can't hol'
all to dead level. 1t would destro.
ambition"
This was received with a combativ
gesture.
eve have got to have law saying
how much a man shall own. Earning
| beyond that go into common fund.
My friend you might rs well burs
in on man sword in hand, and say
DO you eat red pepper on your beef
steak? If he says No. tell him h
must. or die. He'll jump up. fir
the stove handle, rocking chair, an
lamp mt you. work his way back to til
woodshed, come in with the hatche
and crowbar, and clean you out. Sue
questions can't he forced. Every MA
own winnings"
The estrangersasserted grimly, 81 ca
force the question.
Gerald lifted his chin and said n
more. He picked up his newspaper.
His companion opened the valise an
touched Gerald softly, to draw his al
tention, This valise was cramme
with cotton, wherein lay snugly packe
several dull globular objects.
"Bombs!' whispered the stranger
dynamite from Cincinnati. .Thes
will force the question quick enough.
Gerald gasped and drew back. Ih
round leaden missiles appearedspol
tentious But his nerve soon 8 .eC
Doesn't it occur to you that l8'
of a railroad collision-P" he saifbMi
gestively.
The stranger smiled like one WI
has presented an invincible argumen
Whereup Gerald caught up bomb an
made pretense of casting it in the aisl
His companion paled and sat terrified
, Gerald put back the bomb into itsFba
ting, and once more took up his pape
saying derisively;
| "You are afraid of your own weaI
ons. Guess you'll never do mu'
D harm"
Swift came the response:
'.Afraid, because l know their POI
er. You are easy because you don't
Gerald, who was a jObber in dru
and chemicals, smiled wryly and aga
essayed those editorials.
| But his persistent fellow-trayel