Workmen's advocate., 1890-06-21
EPISTLES OF RADICAL JACK,
OR THE REVELATIONS OF A TRAMP.
EPISTLE V.

ting my writings with a parsing machine, and, by critical analysis, finds them to be 'lamentably irregular Perhaps if he happens to think of it--he will inn peach Nature for making his shape so geometrically irregular
 "Nou must arrange your words thts way"-say the grammar masters, You must eat this way"-say the eating masters, "You must pray this way say the praying You must think thiS way"-say all of em. No wonder that some of our comrades prefer Anarchy to such unnatural Order.
 The tyranny of civilized custom has become so great that there are few men who dare to walk through the streets of a city, without hats on their heads, whether they want them or not; or to walk barefoot, even though they would gladly do so, and think it would be bene- tcial. Modern society makes towards and fools of us, in trying to make us too regularly respectable"
 Even ! curb myself, at times, in small affairs; for 1 want somebody to read my writings. But the curbing gals me, comrades, and makes me wish, some times, had stayed on the island, with my irregular old messmate.
 "You must not eat pudding or peas with spoon, say the eating-masters. "You must use our forms of praise and praying, say the worship-nasters hear 'em, but don't obey;-and don't obey the grammar-masters, either. I, Jack Armstrong, choose to be my own authority.
 But l am not yet an Anarchist; for I believe we human animals can redeem ourselves from the despotism of loafing prigs, by the form of voluntary asso- citation called State Socialism. I-(but l wish there was some way of achispe7ing in print, as l want to say something to those only whom it won't scare away;- I-(Please, just this once, let me have a line of your smallest type, to whisper with, Mir. Printer.)
 I.....am. an. .... outand-out. .... Communist
 What! Has not that scared you away! Are you really willing to hear few more words from me, after such con- fession? Thank you, boys! I'll do as much for you, some time. (And, of course, you all know that our worthy Editor is not at all responsible for my I opinions--or for yO,trs-and that this paper deserves praise, and not blame, for giving me elbow room.)
 
 My boss seems to suspect that am not thoroughly subjugated, and expect l shall soon have to ask some other man to allow me an opportunity to earn my living.
 Last evening, l called at the Leader office, and had an interview with Frank Foster, rts very urbane and peace. loving editor,) and We got to talking about Socialism. Heyaid he believed in taking one step at time.
 Ana If the steps eventually lead to Socialsm?"-I enquired.
 '.I am not a prophet, he replied, ''and cannot tell what form of society will prevail a hundred or thousand years hence. But if edch step we take is right, all the steps will be right-though l do not know where the end of the journey will be, or if there ever will be an end. am working on to-day's tasks, as that is my forte."
 But don't you sometimes wish to get to the top of a mountain, from which, with a mental telescope, you can see the promised land?'
 "We all have our dreams, but don't let mine interfere with my special work he replied
 "Would you object to tell me what you dream off ventured to ask.
 You must excuse me, just now, as 1 am too busy. Take cigar"
 q wonder if he ever dreams he is in heaven, strumming on a golden harp, eight hours day, with extra pay for all overtime.)
 All living things animal and vegetable have their special, besides their general duties. Amongst Reformers, there are first the seers, or prophets; next. the lead ing working pioneers; then the advanced guard and next the general army; and it is unwise for any one of the four clas. ses to expect all to take exactly the same part in the work.
 Being something of seer tor see-er, as distinguished trom the non -see-ers) observe that Socialism is making more headway than ever before in any "civil. ized" lands. Discontentment must pre- cede reform, and all classes are becoming discontented. The poor are no longer ''content with the position in which it has pleased God to place them, (as the parsons say), and the rich are becoming tired of their riches.
 (And yo,t!-I suppose you are getting tired of my talk; so l will summarily r close my Fifth Epistle to the discon, tented and disinherited of both sexes and of all nations.