Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-06-13

~Mr. Grey an mates. Me ana Iom
Bingham has got the sack, an for no
other reason than because we told
Capt Wixon we warn't goin' to leave
OIL tending this here school, an we
wor agoin' to vote the republican or the
demycratic ticket, just as We set our
fancies, on EN-"
There must be some mistake" Grey
said, rising hurriedly and speaking
nervously. "Capt. Wixon cannot have
understood our efforts, and as for at
tempting to restrain in this free and
enlightened country the liberty Of a
mans conscience, his political birth
right, his"
But q roar Of bantering laughter
stayed the speakers eloquence.
Boys, listen to me-" 1t was Wilders
who spoke now. "I've been watching
the run Of things for some time, and
I've come to the conclusion that we've
got to have change. 1t was bound to
come. They don't want no light Of
education let into this region. They
don't want no brains. They want
strong arms an stout loins as will toll
an get money for them. They'll do all
the thinking for you. They appoint
their own township and county officers,
they own the newspapers, they send
one Of themselves to congress, and II
some poor devil OF a minister, as some
times happens, dares TO open his lips
against the system, he quickly finds his
supplies cut of. Now, what are you
going to do about it?"
just at this moment knock came TO
the door, and boy handed letter to
Grey, who, casting his eyes over 1t,
seemed for the moment lost in thought.
my friends" he said, after mo-
ment's reverie, ~ hold in my hand
here letter from the proprietor Of this
building giving me notice to quit pos
session on Wednesday next, though our
agreement stipulated for three months
notice-and saying that, II he had
known we were going to teach COM
munism, he would never have let 1t TO
us. What does 1t mean? II we have
taught communism, it has been from
the text books these very men have
placed in the hands Of your little ones"
ut MEANS" roared the prospector, as
he smote with mighty hand the desk
before him, athat you shall grovel In
your ignorance all the days Of your
lives, and that the bosses Of Oretown
won't have nothing that interferes
with their running things their way
and doing all your thinking for you"
A growl Of discomfort rang round
the room, and more than one rough
orator rose in clamorous protest, but
the schoolmaster, with wave Of his
hand stilled them, and said sternly:
MY friends, lot us make haste slow.
ly Let usdelberate before we express
ourselves"
That's SOL cried the prospector.
"Then to put things into shipshapc,
move That we meet again on Monday |
night to discuss the question.
A unanimous Aye! uyc!" settled the
matter, and the meeting dispersed.
Before you go said Wilders to
Grey, II have word to say. Have you
counted the cost? Sitting square down
on a hornets nest won't be a circum-
stance to the fix you'll find yourself in,
il you 60 ahead in this business
II shall do my duty"
well, I'm with YOU"
But, Jack, | am assured that you
exaggcrate the state OF affairs. It Is
Incredible that such tyranny can exist
in this free land"
"Why, bless your innocent heart, this
free and independent country is full of
spots as unwholcsome as this cesspool
Of an Oretown. When capital gets la
Dor by the throat, justice squeals."
"What grand lot would be his who
had the power of tongue and pen to re-
deem this mass of corruption Grey
said, with hungry look in his eyes.
Wilders grinned
mot bad move, | see. Start a
paper, go on the stump, give the mo-
nopolies an ALFRED raking out, and
you'll end in trip to Washington and
4 hatful Of greenbacks."
"You mistake me-"
mot l--you're green now, but If you
hang on to politics, you'll soon get your
eyes skinned"
II will study this great problem Of
social life, and balance my actions by
reading the experiences of the great
leaders, of modern thought"
And you've made up your mind to
'aise Cain in Oretown?"
II have counted the cost. Dear friend,
good night"