The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-21

heart; she Is so miserable!" and weep
ing she threw her arms round his neck
and laid her head on his breast.
"Babette! you foolish little grill" he
cried, fondly stroking her glossy, gold
en- hair. How can you doubt my love?
You know that TO me there is only one
girl in the whole world, and you are
that one, my precious wife. have been
cruel and neglectful to you, and your
| doubts are just ones, but am still true
and love you alone, Babette. Sit down
with me and listen. The workmen's
meetings are no excuse for me to leave
you, as you fear. Most OF the men at
our factory are members Of The Sons
OF Freedom league l, too, belong to
| it, and the notes which you think so
mysterious are simply TO summon me
10 special meetings, which are held oc-
casionally. | must attend them, and
that is why I have 10 leave you so often
and stay late. for there is much writing
TO be done"
"Must you go every time? Why don't
you give 1t up and cease to be a men,
ber?" Babette asked.
"You innocent child; how little you
know about such things. OF course, I
must go every time-it would be dan
gerous to keep away. And It is not pos
sible for me to leave the league; no one
ever does"
"But what is the object. and what do
you do at the meetings."
The league is established for every
one to have their rights, the poor as
well as the rich. To level class distinc-
tions and make all men equal. To re-
leve distress and poverty by making
the rich give up their money and work,
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 1t
and make its laws. Too long have we
shaved, suffered and died TO keep the
rich in ideness and luxury; too long
have we done all the sowing, shaving
and toling, 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 aud 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 prln-
ciple." Pierre returned. 1T isn't right
for one to have so much and another SO
little. We are not in want OF anything,
IL is true. but Others are, and we ought
TO give a 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 ! 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-
blanders, Pierre?"
Not IL know it!" Pierre emphatical-
ly returned. THAT is an entirely differ
ent matter."
NO, il is not different; II is just the
same as you expect the rich to do. II
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. ave anarchists"
what! Anarchists? You an anar.
chist. Pierre?" cried Babette, shrinking
back in terror. "Tell me you are not
say you never will bel" she added, in q
supplicating tone.
ut is best that you should know all, :
Pierre replied. "Yes, I am an anar
chist. But don't let the fact be known
Babette. unless you wish me to be ar.
rested!"
For a moment Babette gazed at he,
husband with dull eyes, as though un
able to believe what she had heard
then, with 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 burs
from the woman and the noise of thu
traffic in the street below. Then, witt
tear-stained face, Babette went to hel
husband, and, kneeling at his feet, too.
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"