Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1907-12-02

But Ryder senior continued:
DO I care? The more they attack
me the more | like it. Their puny pen
pricks have about the same eject as
mosquito bites on the pachyderm.
What am. the conditions Of my time
made me. When | started In business
q humble clerk. forty years ago, | had
but one goal-success: | had but one
aim-to get rich. | was lucky. / made
q little money. and soon discovered
that ! could make more money by out
whiting my competitors in the oil fields.
Railroad conditions helped me. The
whole country was money mad A
wave Of commercial prosperity swept
over the land. and was carried along
on its crest. I grew enormously rich,
my millions increasing by leaps and
bounds. | branched oft into other in
terests. successful always. until my
holdings grew to what, they are today
the wonder of the twentieth century.
What do / care for the worlds respect
when my money makes the world my
slavef What respect can have for a
people that cringe before money and
not Il factory wheel turns. not a vote
is counted, not a judge is appointed,
not legislator seated. not a president
elected without my consent? am the
real ruler of the United Statesmen
the so called government at Washing
ton, They are my puppets and this is
my executive chamber. This power
will be yours one day, boy. but you
must know how to use it when it
comes"
81 never want it, father" said JEFF
fersCn firmly. "To me your words
SAVIOR of treason. / couldn't imagine
that American talking that way" He
pointed to the mantel. at picture of
George Washington.
Ryder senior laughed He could not
help it if his son was an ideaist
There was no use getting angry, so he
merely shrugged his shoulders and
said
''All right, jeff Well discuss the
matter later when you've cut your wis
dom teeth. Just at present you're in
the clouds. But you spoke of my do
ing you an injustice. How can my
love of power do you an injustice?'
Because" replied Jefferson you ex-
ert that power over your family as
| well as over your business associates.
| You think and will for everybody in
the house. for everyone who comes in
contact with you. Yours is an infu-
ence no one seems able to resist Yon
robbed me of my right to think. Ever
since | was old enough to think you
have thought for me; ever since was
old enough to choose you have chosen
for me. You have chosen that should
marry Kate Roberts That is the one
thing l wished to speak to you about
The marriage is impossible
Ryder senior half sprang from his
seat.
80" he said sternly. this is your
latest act OF rebellion. is it? You are
going to welsh on your word? You
are going to jilt the girl?'
Il never gave my word" answered
Jefferson hotly. Nor Cid Kate under
stand that an engagement existed.
You can't expect me to marry girl
don't care a straw about 1t would not
be fair to her,
Don't be a fool, Jeff. | don't want
to think for you or to choose for you Or
to marry for you. | did not interfere
when you threw up the position
made for you in the Trading company
and took that studio. | realized that
you were restless under the harness,
so l gave you plenty of rein. But
know so much better than you what is
best for you. Believe me l do. Don't
don't be obstinate. This marriage
means a great deal to my interests
to your interests. Hates father is al
powerful in the senate. He'll never
forgive this disappointment Hang il
all, you liked the girl once, and l made
sure that
He stopped suddenly. and the expires
sion on his face changed as a new
light dawned upon him.
"It isn't that Rossmore girl, is it," ht
demanded. His face grew dark. ant
his jaw clicked as he said between hi!
teeth: IL told you some time ago how
felt about her If 1 thought that i
was Rossmore's daughter! You know
what's going to happen to him, don
!, you:"
. Thus appealed TO. jefferson though
: this was the most favorable oppoT
tunity he would have to redeem Iii
promise 10 Shirley So, little anticipat
: ing the tempest he was about to Ill
chain. he answered:
4 an familiar with the charges tia
!, they have trumped up against hin
Needless to say, I consider him entire
X innocent. What's more firmly be
I lieve ne is the victim of a contempt
bic conspiracy. And I'm going to max
+. it my business to find out who Il
plotters are, came to ask you 4
help me. VIII youE''
i VIII see him hanged first, he be
!, always opposed me- lie has alway
defed my power. and now his daugl
ter has enuapped my son. SO its hi
: you want 70 go TO. eh2 Well. l can
!. make you marry a girl you don't wan