The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-17

thing you've said SO far But you're
wrong for all that. You talk about
honesty. What's honestly The pious
Pilgrim Fathers came hero and swim
died old Lo, the poor Indian, out OF
his country In blamed sight moro
raw fashion than I've ever bamboozled
tho people of the Mountain State. And
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. were willing,
while the Indian wasn't. Yet the old
settlers are called nation builders and
martyrs, and q lot of other hot-air
titles, and they get statues put up
to their memories. How about the
Uncle SAINTS buying whole nation OF
Tilipinos and coolly telling EN-: Tn
bossing your islands now. Listen to
me while I soften your rebellious
hearts with the blessed gospel OF the
gatling gum Yet Uncle Sans oil
right. Sos John Bull, who done the
same trick, only worse, in India ana
Egypt. No ones going to call Amerl-
ca or England or the Pilgrim Fathers
dishonest and crooks, Is there? Then
why do you call Caleb Conover dishon-
est for doing the Same thing, only q
lot more squarely and mercifullyi me
crook Of to-day Is the hero OF to-mor-
row. And I'm no crook at THAI. Why,
Son, hundred years from now there's
liable to be statue stuck up some-
where OF Caleb Conover Railroader.
Champion Of the People Honesty, eh?
What YOU call honesty Is just sort
of weak kneed virtue meaning lack
of chance toibe something else. Hon
ester than me- means less chance than
me- The honestest community on
earth. according to you reformers way
OF thinking, Is In the State peniten-
(, tiary For not crime of any sorts
committed there from one years end
to the other"
Conover chuckled softly to hlmseh'
then continued:
"And there's something else about
me that ought to make EN- SOUP
halo onto that same statue. What I've
done to build UP my pile I've done open
and with all the cards on tie table.
have called spade spade, and l
haven't referred to 1t, vague-llke, as
an Industry utensil.' i haven't took
the Lord in as silent partner on my
deals What I've took I've took, and
I've said. 'Whatcher going to 40 ABOUT
it? I've won out by strength, and
amt ashamed of my way of playing
the game. haven't talked through
nv nose about being one of the noble
class picked out by Providence to
watch over the wealth that poor folks'd
have had the good of II hadn't graz.
bed it from 'em. And ] haven't tried
to square myself on Hlgn by enaom-
ing colleges and heathens and libraries
and churches. guess a sinners hush-
money don't make 10 much of n hit
with tho Almighty as these philan-
thropist geezers seem to think II VIII.
What I've given I've given on the
quiet and where it'd keep folks from
the poorhouse. When 1t comes TO the
anal showdown on Judgment Day I've
n sneaking notion the out-and-out pi-
rate-me, If you like-will win out by
about seven lengths over the holy
hypocrite. That's another reason why
I tell you you're wrong when you say
ain't honest. don't hope to con-
vince you by any of the words I've
been wasting. II you were the sort
of man reason could reach you
wouldn't be reformer. I've squan-
dared enough time on you for one
evening Save all the pat replies that
can see you're bursting with, and
spring 'em at your next meeting. I've
no time to listen to EN- now. Gooo
night" vi
Uncercmoniously as he had entered
the room he quilted 1t. leaving Stan
dish to go as he would
1T talked more'n ] have since tha'
fool speech Of mine ut the reception.
muttered the Railroader as he clat'
tered down the broad staircase. Bu
/ steered him off from the chance q
say what he really wanted 10, unu
lodged any scene that would be or US
to him in his campaign. Too bad ne
Rcformer! He's got red blood II
him, the young idiot. Yes, and ne!
not such an idiot either II 1T comes t.
that"
Give Standish. descending the stair
q moment later puzzled. disappointed
vaguely aware that he had somehow
been trlcked, heard the shout OF
groom and the laundering beat 0
Dunderberg's dying loofs along tn
gravel of the drive.
.If he was as much master OF tn
situotlon and as content with him
self as he tried to make me think,
reflected Give as he passed out INT
the darkness. he'd never ride INK
that"
Standsh went to the Leagues head
quarters where for two hours u
busted himself with routine affairs
and tried TO shut out memory of tn
deep, haunting voice and masterfu
amused eyes that had held him cal
.H n. ! I,o,