Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-02-10

you do at the meetings.?
/ "Thc league is established for every
one to have their rights, the poor as
we'll as the rich. To level class distinc-
tons and make all men equal. To re-
lieve 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 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 ppor 4Deblan-
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-
FLANDERS, Pierre?''
"Not if know it'll" Pierre emphatical-
~ 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
SOP"
"You don't understand" Pierre petu-
lantly replied. "We 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 a
supplicating tone.
1T is best that you should know all ~
Pierre replied. "Yes, 1 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, rs though I'M
able to believe what she had heard;
then, with moan, she buried her face
in her hands. For along 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 mo beg, let me implore 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
it up; have nothing more to do with so
cruel and horrible society"
II have gone too far to retreat. My
life would be forfeited were to leave
the league now"
Babette turned pale, yet bravely re-
turned: "But we can escape; we can
leave France. Let us 60 to America,
Australia, England; anywhere away
from the sins and temptations which
beset you. We have a little money
saved which will pay our expenses to q
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 companionslip?
II cannot! I dare not! I will not!"
That was the turning point in
Babette's life; frcm then she began 10
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
became more ard more involved, so
that retraction was impossible; but he
still managed t. retain his situation
at the factory, for which Babette as
sured herself she ought to be very
thankful-the want of few francs was
never felt in her little home.
And so years passed on. Finding her
son had great love for music, Babette
often took him to the grand cathedral
Of Notre Dame, where ne would sit for
hours listening to the voices of the
singers and the deep tones of the