The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-03-14

ory of fighting wouldn't win. And you
feel that In sacrificing, for merely per
sonal considerations, what you conceive
to be a duty to the general scheme of
things you have been weak. Well,
you're right. You have been weak.
And I'm glad of it. 1t will help you to
understand that no cold, abstract ideal
of duty that ignores the primitive self
ish instincts in men can attract, much
less impel, them. The truly good in
spires no sympathy. The point Of this
matter is, out of your weakness has
come nothing but good. The bank
will eventually become a sound insti-
tuition, and you'll suppose you'll ad-
nit that you'll make better governor
than Sherrod or Brent?'
II hope so. But that has come about
only through an accident over which
have had no control"
Remember another thing" Haig
continued. "Three weeks ago this
county cast you aside. Now it is yell
ing it's fool head off for you. The
American people worship the great
god Success. Keep successful. You've
been promoted from lofty souled
uplifter to practical politician for the
glory of God. Accept the promotion
He was relieved to note that John
could laugh. "And here" he grinned,
''endeth the reading Of my last lesson.
It's one thing to share my vast store
of wisdom with John Dunmeade, the
visionary reformer, and quite another
10 lecture the next governor. Funny
thing what a difference a prospective
Office makes in ones attitude toward
q man."
John smiled absently. He was think
ing.
"Haig," he said abruptly, "I sup
pose I'm an obstinate prig. But, hon
estly, I'd give all I hope to possess to
be able to answer you. If only they'd
renominated me as district attorney!
I'd earned that. Or If 1 could believe
that the present hullabaloo were not
artifcially manufactured
Even while he spoke footsteps sound
ed In the outer Office, and there was
knock. John opened the door to admit
-Murchell.
"Good afternoonT was the latter's
unsmiling greeting.
won't you come in and sit down"
Murchell accepted the invitation.
There was a moment Of uncertainty.
Then Haig reached for his hat.
''You needn't go on my account"
Murchell answered the move. '1n
fact, I'd like you to stay"
Haig resumed his seat. He and John
kept the silence of surprise.
But the senator recognized no occa-
sion for constraint.
81 see,' he said, glancing around,
"you keep the old Office just the same.
I remember when your grandfather
built it. He was a man who accom-
plished things"
"And l am not. Is that your point"
"Have you the right to be bitter"
Murchell asked quietly. 'When a man
still young has in six years so i'm
pressed himself and his ideals on T.
100000 people that they demand him
for governor, and demand with an en-
thusiasm 1 have rarely SEEM
Manufactured by your
stimulated" Murchell corrected
briefly and continued. "And through
him are beginning to realize, even
vaguely, their political responsibility,
he has something to his credit, l think.
A good many men who think we'll of
themselves reach old age without ac-
! I.,l,s, txErn
ways of serving a reform. One is as
the preacher, the dreamer. He is use
full because he points out the way we
shall go. The other is as the construc-
tive leader, the man who takes the
forces he finds ready to hand and uses
their power to change conditions as
the people are prepared for change.
"You," he turned to John, ''have got
to decide now which you will be. You
are going to hold great office. Pub
! lie office-I think you've found this out
already-isn't as simple as it seems to
those who haven't held it. The man
who would fill it with unfailing wis
dom and justice, with exact honesty
and still be useful-must be as stern
and unyielding as the forces of nature
and as strong"
"And l am not that" But the bit
terness was lacking now.
"No man is" Murchell said gently
"Ive got you the nomination through
methods you won't consider clean. I've
made promises you won't like, but tina
you must keep, or we'll both be de
stroyed politically"
Without excusing or cOncealing {
single maneuver he narrated the stor.
of the campaign and the convention.
The shufiling of feet in the outel
room gave John the excuse to leave
He was heard dismissing the visitor
But many minutes few by before hc
returned.
1t was little enough time for what hC
had to decide.
A marvel had been wrought. IL
Murchell had been given new pur
pose. But Murchell, the workman