The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-06-29

Ryder laughed cynically. He went
back TO his desk, and. sitting facing his
son. he said:
Jefferson. you are young. II IS one
OF the symptoms Of youth 90 worry
about public opinion. When you are
as old as am, you viii understand
that there Is only one thing which
counts in this world money The
man who has 1t possesses power over
the man who has II not. and power Is
what the ambitious man loves most"
He stopped to pick up n book. II
was "rhe American Octopus" Turn
ing again TO his son. he went on:
"Do you see this book7 1t is the lit
erary sensation of the year. Whyl
Because Il attacks me, the richest man
in the world II holds me up as mon
ster, tyrant. a man without soul.
honor or conscience. caring only for
one thing money; having but one pas
slon-the love of power and halting at
nothing. rot even at crime, to secure H.
That is the portrait they draw of your
father"
Jefferson said nothing He was won
dering II his sire had a suspicion who
wrote It and was leading up to that
But Ryder senior continued:
"Do / carer The more they attack
me the more / Ike It. Their puny pen
prlcks have about she same effect as
mosquito bites on the paehyderm
What | am, the conditions Of my time
made me When ] started I'm business
a humble clerk, forty years ago. | had
bun one goal-success. had but one
aim to get rich. was lucky. | made
little money, and I soon discovered
that | could make more money by out
whiting my competitors I'm the oil fields.
Railroad conditions helped rue. The
whole country was money mad A
wave of commercial prosperity swept
over the land, and | was carried along
on its crest grew enormously rici.
my millions increasing By leaps and
bounds. branched out into other in
terests, successful always, until my
holdings grew to what they are today
1.-The wonder Of the twentieth century.
what do l care for the worlds respect
when my money makes the world my
slave? What respect can / have for a
people that cringe before money and
let it rule them? Are you aware that
not factory wheel turns. not a vote
is counted. not judge IS appointed,
not legislator seated, not president
elected without my conseutl | am the
real ruler of the United States not
the so called government at Washing
ton. They are my puppets and this is
| my executive chamber. This power
viii be yours one day, boy, but you
must know how to use it when il
comes"
81 never want II, father" said JEFF
ferson firmly. "To me your words
SAVIOR OF treason. / couldn't imagine
that American talking that way" He
pointed 10 the mantel, at a picture of
George Washington.
Ryder senior laughed. He could moi
help 1t If his son was an idealist
There was no use getting angry, SO ho
merely shrugged his shoulders and
said:
"All right, JEFF Wen 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 injustlcei'
"Because," replied Jefferson, you eX
ert that power over your family as
well as over your business associates
You think and will for everybody IL
the house, for everyone who comes il
contact with you. Yours is an inhu
ence no one seems able to resist. Yor
robbed me OF my right to think. Evel
since / was old enough 30 think yol
have thought for me; ever since | was
old enough TO choose you have choser
for me. You have chosen that should
marry Kate Roberts That is the on,
thing / wished to speak 60 you about
The marriage Is impossible"
Ryder senior half sprang from hi.
seat
80" he said sternly. this is you
latest act of rebellion. is Il? You ar'
going 10 welsh on your word? Yol
are going TO jilt the girll'
Il never gave my word" answere,
jefferson hotly "Nor did Ka.e under
stand that an engagement existed
Yon can't expect me 70 marry "A girl
don't care a straw about. 1t would no
be fair to her"
Don't be a fool Jeff / don't wan
TO think for you or TO choose for you o
to marry for you. ! did not interfer
when you threw up the position
made for you IN the Trading compan.
and took that studio / realized tina
you We're restless under the harness
so l gave you plenty of rein. But
know so much better than you what !
best for you Believe me ! do. Don
don't be obstinate. This marriag
means a great deal 10 my interests
20 your interests. Kate's father Is al
powerful In the senate He'll neve
forgive this disappointment Hang
all you liked the girl once, and mad
sure that
He stopped suddenly, and the expre'
sion on his face changed as a ne'
light dawned upon him.
1T isn't that ROssmore girl, is it?" h
demanded His face grew dark, an
bis jaw clicked as he said between hl
teeth: Il told you some time ago ho'