The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-09-04

son OF importance in the eyes or the
unthinklng multitude, but 1t only en-
vies you your fortune; 1t does not adj
mire you personally. When you die,
people will count your millions. not
your good deeds"
He laughed cynically and drew up
chair near her desk. As general
thing, John Ryder never wasted words
on women. He had but poor opinion
of their mentality and considered 1t 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 a decided novelty
for him to hear the truth.
what do I care what the world
says when I'm dead" he asked with
forced laugh.
"You do care" replied Shirley grave
~. "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"
"You class the two together, I no.
tice," he said bitterly.
at Is often a distinction without
difference" she rejolned promptly.
He remained silent for a moment or
two toying nervously with a paper
knife. Then, arrogantly, and as IL anx-
lous to impress her with his impor-
lance, he said:
Most men would be satisfied II they
had accomplished what have. Do you
realize that my wealth is so vast that
scarcely know myself what l am
WORTH What my fortune will be in
another fifty years staggerS the imagi-
nation. Yet l started with nothing.
made 1t all myself. Surely should get
credit for that"
How did you make it?" retorted
Shirley.
"In America we don't ask how a
man makes his money. We ask IL he
has got any"
you are mistaken" replied Shirley
earnestly. America is waking up.
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 It,. and there will
have to be an accounting. What ac-
count will you be able to giveT
He bit his lip and looked at her for
moment without replying. Then.
with a faint suspicion Of a sheer, he
said:
"You are a soclallst-perhaps an an
archist!'
"Only the ignorant commit the blum
der Of confounding the two" she re-
torted. Anarchy is a disease. Social
ism is a science"
"Indeedv' he exclaimed mockingly.
81 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 a food tide all over the world. the
contemptuous tone in which this pluto
crat spoke Of the coming reOrganlza-
ton Of society which was destined to
destroy him and his kind spurred her
on TO renewed argument.
II imagine" she said sarcastically,
'that you would hardly approve any
social reform which threatened to in
terfere with your own business meth
DDS. But, no matter how you disap-
prove Of socialism on general princi-
pies, as a leader of the capitalist class
you should understand what socialism
Is and not confuse one of the most Inn
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 1t were
their dangerous doctrines permitted to
prevail. The socialists, on the con-
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 a message to the people. Ryder
listened, conceallng his impatience
with uneasy little coughs.
YES" she went on, II am a social
LIST, and l am proud Of 1t. The whole
world is slowly drifting toward social
Ism as the only remedy for the actual
intolerable conditions. It 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 Housef
Has not a president Of the United
States declared that the state must
eventually curb the great fortunesI
What is that but socialism,
True" retorted Ryder grimly, land
that little speech intended for the ben
eft Of the gallery will cost him the
nomination at the next presidential
election. We don't want in the White
House a president who stirs up class
lA-oa o. .tob man hauo n RIGHT f0