The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-18
Stories of an inland State.

In three Gays, Jonn wright Had deter
| mined he would set out on his long de-
layed trip to the national capital His ex-
| plosive agencies were ready. They had been
| constructed crudely, and from formula
| he had had to ponder over YEARLY before
| he could understand them. He had three
nachines and il was his mad determine
| ton TO remove the head Of the government;
and the two officers next IN succession TO
HIM. The country he believed to be on
the verge Of revolution, the mere existence
| of titular central government in Wash
| irgton alone presenting the segre CATION of
| society. He had come TO hold the presi-
Gency as sort OF fetch. In his desire TO
| remove its occupant and his SUCCESSORS, IN
case of death, he felt the fanatical Justif-
cation and entire want of deterrent fear OF
the tconoclast. For he had no fear. He did
rot give his thoughts free rein 10 specula-
ton of what might happen 10 him, after
| he had removed 1.-The idols of conserva-
| tism" HIS punishment and death was no
| longer of concern TO him. He lived but for
| one thing. His life was consecrated 10 one
J deed. He had waited long to act. He held
that the conditions were now ripe tor such
! an act to be effective. He believed that
| that act, done during a great popular tu-
! mutt such as was growing with the great
| strike, would lead to revolution. He knew
| OF the restorative qualities of society and
the possibility Of the central government
| maintaining conservatism in the people I'M
| til II could demonstrate its mistaken do
m:nion, but ne believed this only possi bill
| ity-a very remote possibility.
If ne had permitted himself to think free
ly, he could have imagined the public hor-
| ror following his act if 1t were success
| full, (but he did not doubt its success, his
pursuit, detection and execution. But he
had put personal fear away from him and
IL was no part OF his thought. He might
have cudded a secret desire TO live long
enough after his act to see the result OF
it, but such a desire would have implied
prolonged life-and life he did not demand
or expect. To the contrary his whole and
immediate intention was 10 give his life
in exchange for this one deed, and with
a popularity in the insistence. he believed
he would be dishonest if he did not deliver
his merchandise part of the trade. His
mind had mastered every detail OF the plot
UP TO the time when he should act. Having
acted anticipation faced a stone wall and
saw no further and desired 10 see no fur
ther
And the most fearful thing about this
man was his total alienation of enthusiasm.
There was nothing of eagerness in his mon
strous desires; no heated impotence over
delay; no frett.ng for fear of falling; no
intoxicating certainty of success. Not once
did his mind rise above the dead level OF
quiet, tragic determination. Success might
have famed the dead embers of hate into
a fame. but Illustration could not. De-
raoniacaI exultation might have illumined
bis face, but failure could have not added
a line of care.
Strangely at times he felt one foreign
emotion-a pity for the individuals whose
lives he was to take. He wished vaguely
that they might be spared the blow he
meant to give their offices. But that was
impossible, and he effaced the pity with
the assurance that their lives were but
trivial incident to a required end.
He had grown very old since he came to
the city, His sun-stained skin had whlten-
ed now and drawn dry and contracted. The
brush of a beard upon his chin was thin
ming and his pale cheeks sinking about the
bones of his face and until the outline OF
his skull shown plainly through the white
skin of his forehead He was slightly bald.
and except for his lustrous eyes, even the
lids of which had become feeble and droop-
ing, he would have looked decrep.t.
In another week the strike would be a its
heighth, as high at least as Oliver Willis
could carry it, BY that time he must be
in Washington. He would give himself
three days for the trip. He made the time
ample in case of possible delays incident
to retarded traffic. He believed the couu-
try was ready for his match and conla-
grafton inevitable, if he could but supply
the beginning of spark.
A night later, and everything was COM
arlx ;,, no Ia
prised by a visit from the labor leader,
" no, after much c:rcumlocution. came to
the point. He wanted funds.
The poor man. Mr. Wright" he said
persuasively. must fight his battle in pow
erty, and he cannot fight it long that way
ard win. You have helped US before TO an
extent greater than We had any right TO
expect. It would seem to be imposing on
your liberality 10 ask again, but the plain
facts are We cannot carry on this cam
paign without communicating to differen.
members of our organization, and We can
rot do that without expense. as you know.
We are again out of funds
What amount" asked Wright bluntly.
What would you feel able 10 give, Mr..
Wright"
II have no idea how much you wish
five hundred dollars?'
That would be acceptable, certainly"
II shall give you a thousand" said
Wright.
While the labor leader smiled graciously
and wondered at the man. Wright turned
ard wrote the check.
Il have made it payable 10 you" he said
Take IL direct 10 the bank on which il is
given. as / may soon want a balance"
With profuse thanks. which did not in
Tahp Vriu lah
leaders thought that he was making
Wright his dupe. Wills left.
He was back again in an hour. over |
heated and excited.
Your money is gone. Mr.. Wright" he |
said. rapidly.
John Wright's face did not change. for |
he did not understand.
Gone" he asked what DO you
mean
You have scarcely six dollars on deposit !
in the bank. the teller told me- Il has al |
been checked out
Impossible sad Wright.
The teller is positive"
Call again this afternoon" said John /
Wright, wondering. There is some MS
take
A few moments later John Wright was
al the bank. Wills had tod the truth. His
money was gone-except a very small 4
amount. He had no: seen MS balance for
many months. but he believed he had at
least seven thousand dollars on hand. He
demanded the checks lately cashed and
read them over carelessly. excused himsel.
for having attempted ar overdraught and
walked out OF The building.
There was TO change IN John Wright's
face. although he now understood.
He id not up5rsii himself. Tha. which