Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1907-11-25

the coal lands In trust for the Al
mighty, Inscriptions princes Of finance
and commerce, all visited this room to
receive orders or pay from the head Of
the system" Here were made and
unmade governors of states, mayors of
cities, judges, heads of police cabinet
ministers, even presidents Here were
turned over to confidential agents mil
lions Of dollars to overturn the peoples
vote In the national elections Here
were distributed yearly hundreds of
thousands of dollars to grafters, large
and small, who had earned it In the
service OF the interests"
Here secretly and unlawfully the
heads of railroads met to agree on
rates which by discriminating against
one locality In favor of another crush
ed out competition, raised the cost to
the consumer and put millions In the
pockets of the trust Here were plan
ned tricky financial operations with
deliberate intent to mislead and de-
ceive the investing public, operations
which would send stocks soaring one
day, only a week later to put Wall
street on the verge of panic. Half a
dozen suicides might result from the
coup, but twice as many millions Of
profits had gone into the Golfers of the
system" Here, too, was perpetrated
the must heinous crime that can be
committed against free people-the
conspiring of the trusts, abetted by the
railroads, to arbitrarily raise the prices
Of the necessaries of life-meat, coal,
oil, ice, gas-wholly without other JUS
ti1cation than that Of greed, which
with these men was the unconquerable,
all absorbing passion. In short, every
thing that INSCRIPTIONS leaders of or
ganized capital could devise to squeeze
the life blood out of the patient, de-
fenseless toiler was done within these
four walls.
When Jefferson entered, his father
was seated at his desk, a long black
cigar between his lips, giving instruc-
tons to Mr.. Bagley. Mr.. Ryder looked
up quickly as the door opened, and the
| secretary made a movement forward
as if to eject the intruder, no matter
who he might be. They were not ac-
customed to having people enter the
sanctum Of the Colossus SO unceremo-
| niously. But when he saw who it was
Mr.. Ryder's stern, set face relaxed
| and he greeted his son amiably.
"Why, jeff, my boy, is that you?
Just a moment until I get rid Of Bag
| ley, and I'll be with you"
Jefferson turned to the bookshelves
cier continued his business with the
secretary.
"Now, Bagley, come, quick! What
is it?''
He spoke In rapid, explosive man
ner, like a man who has only few
moments to spare before he must rush
to catch train. John Ryder had been
catching trains all his life, and he had
seldom missed one.
Governor Rice called. He wants an
appointment" said Mr.. Bagley, hold
ing out a card.
81 can't see him. Tell him So" came
the answer quick as a fash. "Who
else!' he demanded. "Where's your
list?"
Mr.. Bagley took from the desk list
Of names and read them over.
General Abbey telephoned. He says
you promised
Eyes, yes" interrupted Ryder i'm
patiently, "but not here. Down town,
tomorrow, any time. Next"
The secretary jotted down a note
against each name and then said:
"There are some people downstairs
in the reception room. They are here
by appointment"
1.-THE national committee and Ser
geant Ellison of the secret service from
Washington" replied Mr.. Bagley.
"Who was here first?' demanded the
financier.
Sergeant Ellison, sir"
"Then I'll see him first and the com
mittee afterward, but let them all wal
until ring. I wish to speak with Ii!
son."
He waved his hand, and the secre
. tary, knowing we'll from experience
that this was sign that there must b.
no further discussion, bowed respect
fully and left the room. Jefferson
, turned and advanced toward his ia
ther, who held out his hand.
: "Wen, Jefferson" he said kindly
, ibid you have good time abroad?'
: eyes, sir. thank you. Such trip
3 O liberal education in itself"
S Ready for work again, eh? IT
!. glad you're back, Jefferson. I'm bus
: now, but one Of these days I want
i have a serious talk with you in regar
to your future. This artist business
e all very we'll for a 9astime, but it's ne
:. a career-surely you can apprecia1
/ that-for young man with such pro
poets as yours. Have you ever stoppe
l. to think of that?"
p Jefferson was silent. He did NJ
want to displease his father. On tt
e other hand, it was impossible to i
:. things drift as they had been dom
IS There must be an understanding 500
e er or later. Why not now?
d 1.-THE truth is, sir" he began timidl
'e I'D like a little talk with you now