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

Its monopoly by the few must cease.
We must all get the benefit of it."
Gerald responded impatie ntly;
I'VE do get the benefit. Capital
means savings, and savings mean in
vestment, which develops mines, man
Lfactures. commerce, and gives labor
employment. We can all save if we
know enough, but it is law of nature
that man must bear the results of his
own ignorance. The true road to cap
ital is by study and trial, by temper
ance and disciplined Judgment. In
stead we go bruising our way in head
long stupidity. cursiny everybody but
ourselves. Self-conceit is the great
bar which keeps men from seeing a
good deal in this world. We want to
put all blame off upon somebody else"
The stranger nodded grimly: "Wait
aud 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
itP The hard visage beside him looked
but one way. The set wits rejected
generalitics. He replied once more
with allegory:
Il 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 prate
on high moral grounds, but say frank
ly that you want your class to get the
spoils! Tell ME, were you born in this
country?"
mo. 1 was born-Hallo! Here's
my station. get out here"
The wheels stopped. The stranger
rose and caught up his yalise. 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 eleva-
tor, a cattle yard, a 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 bag
gage.
As the wheels again turned Gerald
called after him: ,.z.
you. You go of. .squandaE your money,
and come back destitute. What am |
to doPm
The stranger turned, and holding his
valise steadily with one hand while he
thrust his other hand into his coat
pocket, showed his yellow teeth in a
sinister smile. and growled, divide
again"
Gerald returned to his seat indignant.
Clearly, these United States are ab-
more raw immigration than
can be assimilated readily.
He cogitated as he sped toward
town. This confusion of liberty and
license, this misunderstanding of or
ganic rights, must be checked. 1t
seemed time to advocate a new depart
ment in our prisons, where dangerous
ignorance may have a three years
course in polical economy.
Some months later Gerald noticed
that his bookkeeper, Phillips, was
many errors and wore a trou-
bled face. As time went by these
blunders increased and the expression
of anxiety deepened toward despair
Phillips was in trouble. Gerald limited
his interest in the matter.
Thereupon Phillips unbosomed him
self. A year before he had mortgaged
his home for a thousand dollars, and
bought a share in a sealing company
whose schooner Iskum caught fire and
burned, off the Alaska coast. His
mortgage came due tomorrow, and
was certain. Gilfast, origi-
nal holder of the instrument, Ohe we'll
known benevolent banker,) died four
months ago. 1t had passed to Gil
fast's cousin, Jorx, who was inexora-
BILE. 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 a worthy and deserving
gentleman.
He was shown to the private office of
Mr.. Jorx.
well, sirP' demanded Mr. Jorx, a
man in tidy business attire, of squat,
stout figure, shaggy brows and pug
uOse.
Gerald stated his business. meantime
studying in perplexity the face before
him. He had seen JOrx before. But
whereP All! = He remembered the
W.
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
believe in equafity of rights. ! recall
distinctly your LIBERAL views upon the
sharing Of capital when we met last
You certainly are not the one TO OPP
press your fellow man."
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 un-
derstand these things as do now"
How? Not believe in division of
capital?' persisted Gerald, gently.
Mr.. Jorx hesitated and turned red in
the face.
mo. Fact is, capital is the great
benefaction of our race. Capitalin the
hands of energetic men, as it always is
in this country, gives work to the
crowd, opens new fields of labor, and
creates 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 forthp"
"Only a quip of mine" cried Mr.
Jorx, rising abruptly and with evil
dent desire to end the interview. "As
for your friend, Mr.. Phillips, / will
concede himanother year or two at the
same rate of interest"
Gerald Faulkner discreetly took his
leave. Descending the polished steps
of the bank. he muttered:
This 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 Ameri
| cans nowadays is to maintain the Law