Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-11-09

/ uduuIWOTk. WFlLe WnaC you ike ABOUT
| 1t, money and love are the only two
things left in the world today. The
story has always been the same, but
people did not read it SO often form
erly. There have always been ambi-
ton, strife, struggle, suffering why
should the historians trouble to tell
| of them? You yourself, Alban, would
be a worker II the opportunity came
to you. / have foreseen that from
the first moment met you. If you
were interested, you would Guido the
Germans and beat them both with
your head and your hands. But it
will be very difficult to interest you.
You would need some great stimulus,
and in your case it would be ambition
rather than it's rewards
Alban replied that love of power
was probably the strongest influence
in the world.
eve all hate work. he said, repeat
ing his favorite dictum, Il don't sup
pose there is one man in a thousand
who would do another days work
unless he were compelled. The sue
cess Of Socialism in our time is the
belief that 1t will glorify idleness and
make it real. The agitators them
selves never work. They have learn
ed the rich mems secret have heard
them preaching the dignity of labor
hundred times, but l never yet saw
one wheeling barrow. The poor fell
lows who listen to them think that
you have only got to pass few acts
in Parliament to be happy foreve-
after. l pity them, but how are you
to teach them that the present state
of things is just-and If 1t Is not just,
why should you wish it to last?"
Gessner could answer that A rich
man himself, all that concerned the
new doctrines was of the profoundest
interest to him.
"The present state of things Is the
only state of things-in the bulk" he
said; "it is as old as the world and
will go on as long as the world We
grumble at our rich men, but those
who have amassed their own fortunes
are properly the nations bankers.
Consider what sudden gift of money
would mean to the working men Of
England today-drunkennes crime,
debauchery. You can legislate to i'm
prove the conditions of their lives, but
to give them creative brains is be-
yond all legislation. And I will tell
you this-that once you have passed
any considerable socialistic legislation
for this kingdom of Great Britain, you
have decided her destiny. She will
in twenty years be In the position
of Holland--a country that was but
never will be again"
No one disputed the proposition, for
no one thoroughly understood 1t.
Alban had not the courage to debate
MS pet theorems at such time, and
Shc parson was too intent upon de-
neuncing the national want Of serious,
ness to enter upon such abstruse ques-
lions az the banker would willingly
have discussed So they fell back
upon athletics again. and were busy
with football and cricket until the
time came for Anna to withdraw and
leave them in their cigars. sila,
Geary, quickly initiating her, waited
but for a glass Of port before he made
his excuses AMI ted, as he said,
upon 'parochial necessity"
I'VE will go to the Winter Garden"
Gessner said to Alban when they were
alone-"I will see that Fellows takes
our coffee there. Bring some cigaret-
ties, Alban-I wish to have a little pri,
vate talk with you
Alban assented willingly, for he was
glad Of this opportunity to say much
that he had desired to say for some
days past. The night had turned
very hot and close, but the glass roof
of the Winter Garden stood open and
they sat there almost as in the open
air, the great palms and shrubs all
about them and many lights glowing
mi, ,o1s, o,,ofJ L1 81
earlier in the evening; SO now Cess
ner was in the best of spirits, laughing
at every trivial circumstance and COM
polling his guest to see how kindly
was his disposition toward him.
'We shall be comfortable here he
said, "and far enough away from the
port wine to save me self-reproach to-
morrow. I see that you drink little,
Alban. 1t is wise-all those who have
the govt will speak of your wisdom.
We drink because the wine Is there,
not because we want it. And then in
the morning, we say, how foolish.
Come now, light another cigarette and
listen to me. / have great things to
talk about, great questions to ask YOU.
You must listen patiently, for this COLI
| Germs your happiness-as closely per-
haps as anything will concern it us
long as. you live"
He did not continue Immediately,
seeing the footman at his elbow with
the coffee. Alban, upon his part,
lighted cigarette as he had been
commanded, and waited patiently. He
| thought that he knew what was com
ing and yet was afraid of the thought.
Annals sudden passion for him had
been too patent to all the world that
he should lightly escape its conse-
quences. Indeed, he had never wait
ed for any one to speak with the
anxiety which attended this interval
of service. He thought that the foot
man would never leave them alone.
Now said Gessner at last, nov
that those fellows are gone we can
make ourselves comfortable. shall
be very plain, my lad shall no,
deceive you again. When you first
came to my house, did not tell YOU
the, TRUTH am going to tell 1T tr
you tonight, for it is only right thai