Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-07-26
shirley gave a little shrus of her

that people will merely wonder why
we. in our day, tolerated men of your
class so long. Now it is different. The
world is money mad. You are per-
son of Importance in the eyes OF the
unthinking multitude, but 1t only en-
vies YOU your fortune; it does not ad-
mire YOU personally When you die,
people viii count your millions, not
your good deeds"
He laughed 6ynically and drew up a
| chair near her desk. As a general
thing, John Ryder never wasted words
on women He had but Il poor opinion
of their mentality and considered it be-
meath the dignity of any man to enter
into serious argument with a woman.
In fact, it was seldom he condescend-
ed to argue with any one. He gave or
ders and talked to people; he had no
patience to be talked to. Yet he found
himself listening with interest to this
young woman who expressed herself
so frankly 1t was, decided novelty
for him to hear the truth.
"What do l care what the world
says when I'm dead?' he asked with
a forced laugh.
"You do care" replied Shirley grave
ly. "You may school yourself to be-
lieve that you are Indifferent to the
good opinion of your fellow man, but
right down In your heart you do care
every man does, whether he be multi
millionaire or a sneak thief"
''YoG class the two together, no.
tice," he said bitterly.
1T Is often a distinction without a
difference" she rejoined promptly.
He remained silent for a moment or
two toying nervously with a paper
knife. Then, arrogantly, and as If anx-
ious to impress her with his impor-
lance, he said:
Most men would be satisfied If they
had accomplished what have. Do you
realize that my wealth is so vast that
l scarcely know myself what 1 am
worth? What my fortune will be in
another fifty years staggers the imagi-
nation. Yet 1 started with nothing l
made it all myself Surely 1 should get
credit for that
How did you make itP" retorted
Shirley.
I'm America we don't ask how a
man makes his money. We ask II he
has got any"
"You are mistaken" replied Shirley
earnestly. America is waking ND.
The conscience of the nation is being
aroused. We are coming to realize that
the scandals Of the last few years
were only the fruit of public indiffer-
ence to sharp business practice. The
people will soon ask the dishonest rich
man where he got 1t, and there will
have to be an accounting. What ac-
count will you be able to giveY'
He bit his lip and looked at her for
moment without replying. Then,
with faint suspicion of a sheer, he
said:
you are neutrality-suspicious. an an
archistw
"Only the ignorant commit the blum
der Of confounding the two" she re-
torted. Anarchy is a disease Social
ism Is science"
lndeed!' he exclaimed mockingly.
II thought the terms were synonymous.
The world regards them both as in
sane"
Herself an enthusiastic convert TO
the new political faith that was rising
like food tide all over the world. the
contemptuous tone In which this pluto-
crat spoke of the coming reorganiza-
tlon of society which was destined to
destroy him and his kind spurred her
on to renewed argument.
i imagine" she said sarcasticalIv.
that you would hardly approve any
social reform which threatened TO in
terfere with your own business meth |
obs. But, no matter how you disap-
prove of socialism on general princi-
pies, as leader of the capitalist class
you should understand what socialism
is and not confuse one Of the most I'm.
portant movements In modern world |
history with the crazy theories of IRE |
sponsible cranks. The anarchists are /
the natural enemies of the entire hu-
man family and would destroy it were
their dangerous doctrines permitted to |
trary, are seeking to save mankind
from the degradation, the crime and
the folly into which such men as you
have driven it,"
She spoke impetuously, with the in
spired exaltatIon of a prophet deliver
Ing message to the people. Ryder
listened, concealing his Impotence
with uneasy little coughs.
YES" she went on, 81 am a social
Ist, and am proud Of 1t. The whole
world Is slowly drifting toward social
Ism as the only remedy for the actual
ntolerable conditions. 1t may not
come In our time, but 1t will come as
surely as the sun will rise and set to-
morrow. Has not the flag of socialism
waved recently from the White House?
Has not a president of the United
States declared that the state must
eventually curb the great fortunes?l
What is that but socialism,"
True" retorted RYDER prinlv fond