The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-01-19

etAS AASA 6AvS w luClI uOucy anu WOIN,
so that all share alike; not make 10000
men poor slaves to let one become rich.
We working men are the makers of the
country, its wealth and greatness; we
are its life-blood. so we intend to rule it
and make it's laws. Too long have we
shaved, suffered and died to keep the
rich in idleness and luxury; too long
have we done all the sowing, shaving
and toiling. and reaped nothing Of the
harvest; been oppressed and ground
down by taxation, labor and militarism.
Soon we will rise in our might and crush
everything beneath US, for we have had
enough. of this miserable existence!"
~"But. Pierre. what cause have you
veto complaint" Babette asked, her
big blue eyes dilating with wonder and
awe at her husbands impassioned
words. II am sure that we have enough
for all our needs since your salary was
raised. We are happy and comfortable;
everyone is good to us; we have each
other and our little Paul, so why not be
content and refuse to NEEDLE with such
dangerous subjects?''
THAT isn't the thing; it is the prin-
ciple," Pierre returned. 1T isn't right
for one to have so much and another so
little. We are not in want of anything.
it is true, but others are, and we ought
to give thought to the poor and their
miseries. Look at those poor Deblan-
ders at the top of the house. See how
they suffer from poverty. I maintain
that the rich ought to be made to share
their money with the poor"
would you care to share your money:
comforts and happiness with the De-
FLANDERS, Pierre?''
"Not if know it," Pierre empha teal
~ returned. '*That is an entirely differ
ent matter!"
mo, it is not different; it is just the
same as you expect the rich to do. If
you won't share your money with the
poor, how can you expect the rich to do
so?"
"You don't understand" Pierre petu-
lantly replied. "We anarchists
'"What! Anarchists? You an an ar
chist, Pierre?" cried Babette, shrinking
back in terror. Tell me YOU are not:
say you never will bel" she added. in a
supplicating tone.
1T is best that you should know a -
Pierre replied. Eyes, am an anar-
chist. But don't let the fact be known.
Babette, unless you wish me to be ar
rested!"
For moment Babette gazed at her
husband with dull eyes, as though un-
able to believe what she had heard:
1hen, with a moan, she buried her face
IN her hands. For long time no word
was spoken; silence reigned in the room
save for an occasional sob which burst
from the woman and the noise of the
traffic in the street below. Then, with
tear-stained face, Babette went to her
husband, and, kneeling at his feet, took
his hand and said:
You love me, Pierre, don't you?"
with all my heart, sweet wife,
And you love our boy?"
"Babette! how can you ask"
well, let me beg, let me ilnplore you:
for the sake of the love you bear us, to
give up this wicked membership: to
cease to be an anarchist. It will only
bring misery, woe, and punishment.
You have much to be thankful for, and
we will be so happy together, Pierre
you, baby and I. Be man, and give
1t up; have nothing more to do with so
cruel and horrible society,""
II have gone too far to retreat. NV
life would be forfeited were I to leave
the league now"
Babette turned pale, yet bravely re-
turned: 'But we can escape; we can
leave France. Let US go to America,
Australia, England; anywhere away
from the sins and tempta lions which
beset you. We have a little money
saved which will pay our expenses to a
new country and homo. Oh, Pierre,
wherever we are we can be happy to-
gether, so long as our consciences and
souls are clear and pure"
Pierre pushed his fingers YEARLY
through his black, curly hair, and re-
piled: 1T cannot be, Babette; we must
stay here"
"But you will-oh, say you will-give
up this evil companionsllip?"
Il cannot! I dare not! I will mott"
That was the turning point IL
Babette's life; from then she began 70
change. The roses left her cheeks, and
all the brightness and sunshine de-
parted from her life, leaving her sad,
lonesome woman. Her friends noticed
the alteration and commented upon it.,
but to all remarks and inquiries she
maintained gentle reserve, never once
complaining or repining.
All attempts tc wean her. husband
from the lawless gang he called "broth-
ers" proved futile. AS time went on he