The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-02-27

also treachery and ridicule. which are
harder. and misunderstanding and in
difference from the people he is trying
to serve. which are hardest OF all, he
cannot be greatly blamed for wanting
sometimes to "chuck the game" ,,s
Haig put 1t to John one evening in
early winter. The buntering FREUD
ship between them. grown deeper as
the years PASSED. had been worth more
to John than he quite realized.
"Why don't you chuck the game:
You're further hack than you We're -four
years ago. The nOvelty's worn of; the
dear pee-pul's tired OF hearing you, and
they believe that somehow you're worse
than un anarchist. And you're even
going to be kicked out Of Office here
next spring DO you know that?
You're breaking down your health.
You're doing the work Of three men
and small boy--for nothing This
county Is growing. There's going to be
plenty of law business. And you could
be the biggest lawyer around here.
You are that now in point of ability.
though the Lord knows where you find
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 cync" John laughed
Nv hat If we don't get any farther for
ward? 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 Girls
well or Sykes When see how the,
depend on me. IL have to stick it out.
It isn't necessarily worthless, either.
rye generally found that if you hold
ON to the brea king point and then hold
on little longer. things get easier all
Of sudden
SUNDAY school aphorsms. What's
30 be the next slaughter Of the inno
cents?''
I'VE elect a governor next year"
~And wherell you find n candidate?"
SWELL" said John cheerfully, II
could run myself, you know"
"And offer 'em more bread pills.
chr Haig was trying to decide
whether he was a Socialist or not.
hence was critical Of all remedies and
theories.
II suppose you are thinking Of your
brotherhood as IT substituted"
"Not my brotherhood!' Haig snort
Cd II wouldn't have the dolts you
call the people as my brothers. They're
interesting to me only as study in
asininity. What can you expect Of
people whose very ideal Is concentrat-
ed selfishness:"
"But the people don't understand
that's all
'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 Murchell or Sherrod or
any of their tribe? Yet they turn you
down for them every time. Why? Be
cause the Mnrchells and the Sherrods rep
resent the people You don't. Ninety
nine out Of hundred men. all over
the nation. have Il pretty clear notion
Of what's going on in politics and gov
eminent. and they have documentary
social instinct that tells them it is
wrong. Sometimes that incipient sense
gets them interested in a reform. hut
the interest lasts only for about one
campaign. Just as you have found it.
We don't really care. We don't want
things changed"
'But"-
''Here, l have the floor. Things are
rotten-yes! 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 Il
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
10 use and enjoy. Among a selfish
people only supreme, practical egoist
can lead"
Haig sat back. relighting his pipe
'%0oshw he grinned. reminds me Of
ny college debating society. But /!
mean It," he added earnestly.
John smiled family. He leaned for
ward and caught up the poker. absent
b jabbing the Goals In the stove. He
was thinking Of another time when,
ont Of her ignorance, a young woman
had stumbled, far less cleverly. upon
the same theory. He said:
Zone must build from the bottom up
ward The nation con be saved from
IT, sins neither by strong individuals
nor by mechanical systems. Only by
the aroused moral sense Of the people,
q realization and acceptance Of political
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.
I don't think I'm cut ont for boss,
Haig."
i Haig growled again. .'Service-who
wants your service? What you need
= some woman to come along and
marry you out Of hand and teach you
common sense. Why didn't you marry