The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-09-26


 nominated for district attorney and was swept into office by 3 large ma jority The enforcement of justice ceased to be a joke and became a liv- ing faith.
 His work had stirred the state to a nobIer and cleaner civic life. During the past year he had become one of the foremost figures in American Dc mocracy--the best loved and the most hated and feared man in public life in New York. He asked no favors; he sought no preferment
 The work on which he had just en- tered was an investigat ton before an unusually intelligent grand jury of the criminal acts of a group of the most daring and powerful financiers of the world When he realized the magni- tnde of the task he had undertaken be at once put his house in order for the supreme effort. It was necessary that he give up every outside interest that might distract his attention froul the greater task.
 The one matter of. grave importance to which he was giving his time out side his office was his position as ad- visory counsel to Dr. Woodman in his suit for damages against the chemical trust which had been dragging it's course through the courts for years To his amaze7nent he had just re- coaye2 an offer from Bivens' attorneys to colnpromis this suit for $1OO, ,0O0. He would of course advise the doctor to accept it immediately. He had never believed he could win penny.
 What could be Bivens' motive in ma king such an offer? It was impos- sdble that the si1rewd little president of the American Chemical company had anything to fear personally from this attack His fortune now could not be- lezs than $40, ,0O0.O 900, and the issue of such suit the one. Wood man had brought and on which he had spent so much of his time and money was to Bivens mere hagatelIe.
 It might be Nan-it must be. Her letter surely made the explanation req soma ble. She knew this suit was an obstacle in the way of their meeting.
 During the past winter she had be come the sensat ton of the metropolis. Her wealth. her bea uty. her palaces and hsr entertainments had made her the subject Of endless comment. She had set a pace for extravaganza which made the old leaders stand aghast Her worldly wise mother had been dead for the past five years
 He was waiting the arrival of Wood man for conference over Bivens' of fer of compromise, and he dreaded the ordeal
 ''So the little weasel has offered to compromise my suit for half the sum we named, eh?" the doctor asked In triumph.
 q assure you that if the case comes to it's final test you are certain to lose.'
 'iSo you have said again and again, my hoy" was the good hatllred reply. "b1t his sudden terror and this offer show that we have won already, and he knows it. Bivens has seen the handwriting on the wall When the American people are once aroused their wrath will sweep the trusts into the bottomless pit.''
 ''Bivens isn't worrying about the peo- pie or their wrath
 Then it's time he beganD' the doctor cried. Mark my word. the day of the common people has dawned. This mud sill of the world has learned to read and write and begun to think. He will never be content again until he turns the world upside down
 But you must consider this offer You have too much at stake. Your factory has been closed for five years. Your store has been sold. your busi- aess ruined, and you are fighting to pay the interest on your debts. I've seen you growing poorer daily until you have turned your home into lodging house and filed it with strangers
 Eve enjoyed knowing them. My sympSthies have been made larger"
 But is this battle yours alone, doc tor? You are but one among millions You are trying to bear the burden of all. Have you counted the cost? Har- riet's course in music will continue two years longer. The last year she must spend abroad. Her expenses will be great. This settlement is a generous one, no matter what Bivens' motive.''
 q can't compromise with a man who has crushed my business by con- spiracy of organized bIackmai1.'
 ''Oh, come, come, doctor. talk com mon sensei You were not ruined by blackmail. You were crushed by law of progress as resistless as the law of gravity"
 If the law of gravity is unjust it will be abolished. I can't compromise