The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-04

SuOu&5A tu0 1AOEU KNOWS where you nuQ time to study your cases. Why don't you chuck it? Serving the people is the most worthless, thankless job in the world.''
 You besotted cynicp'> John laughed. What if we don't get any farther for ward2S We can't let 'em have the state by default, can we? And it isn't alto gether thankless. Once in while run into men like Cranshawe or Cris- we'll or Sykes. When I see how they depend on me, I-I have to stick it out. It isn't necessarily worthless, either. I've generally found that if you hold on to ogthe brea king point and then hold on g. little longer, things get easier all of sudden
 "Sunday school aphorisms Whats to be the next slaughter of the inno- cents?'
 'tWe, elect governor next year" ssAnd where'n you find a candidate?' ?'
 s'WeIl," said John cheerfu11y, ''T could run myself, you know,
 And offer lem more bread pills, eh?". Haig was trying to decide whether he was a Socialist or not, hence was critical of all remedies and theories.
 e'I suppose you are thinking of your brotherhood as substitute2'
 Mot my brotherhoodr' Haig snort ed .'I wouldn't have the dolts you cal the.people as my brothers. They're interesting to me only as study in asininity What can you expect of a people whose very ideal is coacentrat- ed selashness7' 7''
 ssBut the people donst understand that's aIl.''
 t'Not understand You can say that! Do you suppose there's an intelligent man in the state who doesn't know that you have as much brains and capacity for government, and far more charac- ter. than either Mufchell or Sherrod or any of their tribe7 Yet they turn you down for them every time. Why? Be c0nse the MasrchezEs and the Sbe,Tods rep resent the people. You don't. Ninety nine out of a hundred men. all over the nation, have pretty clear notion of what's going on in politics and gov ernment. and they. have rudimentary social instinct that tells them it is wrong. Sometimes that incipient sense gets them interested in a reform, but the interest lasts only for about one campaign Just as you have found 1t. We don't really care. We don't want things changed"
 sBut'-
 .sHere, I have the floor. Things are erotten-yesi There's stink in every plane of our national life. You think you have purpose in life to clean up this state Well, then play the game as you find it, make of yourself a despot And when you have your power, use it to win compromises, from the other strong ones, and to give the people just as much as they are able to use and enjoy. Among a selfish people only 8 supreme, practical egoist can lead"
 Haig sat back, relighting his pipe. "Gosh!'' he grtpned Reminds me of my college debating society. But l mean it." he added earnestly.
 John smiled faintly. He leaned for ward and caught up the poker. absent ly jabbing the coals in the stove. He was thinking of another time when, out of her ignorance, a young woman had stumbled, far less cleverly, upon the same theory. He said:
 "One must build from the bottom up ward. The nation can be saved from its Sins neither by strong individuals nor by mechanical systems. Only by the aroused moral sense of the people,
 
 responsibility, and a man can't very successfully preach political morality unless he practices it. He has to serve in the way. for which he's best fitted. don't think I'm cut out for boss, Haig."
 Haig growIed again. "Service-who wants your service? What you need is some woman to come along and marry you out of hand and teach you common sense. Why didn't you marry Katherine Hampden when you had the chance?'
 'I never really had the chance" John replied calmly.
 :Oh. go to the devilr' And with characteristic abruptness Haig rose and walked out of the office.
 A minute later he reappeared to de mand, Do you still want to?'
 "Want to what?" said John so blank ly that Haig again recommended the devil as his ultimate destination and withdrew.
 Out in the street he stopped long enough to look back through the win dow. John was still absently jabbins the coals- Haig shook his head and passed on, muttering to the snowy night:
 eI have seen a miracle-a man who has tested, yet believes in the people and who has loved the same woman through fire years I wonder how long his courage will hold out?''
 John drew up to the desk and began letter. It did not progress rapidly. His pen had gone as far as Replying to your favor of the 2Oth inst,'' when 1t fell unnoticed from his fingers. He