The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-02-22

The Michigan had Won into the steer
City
Two men were scrambling over each
other, turning the state upside down,
because each lusted for power and
hated the other Victory by either, if
one might judge by the past, meant
corruption, thievery, oppression, in
justice, and 1t would be won for him
by characteristic means. The people
knew it.
Between the two camps wandered
lonely voice, preaching honesty. de-
cency, liberty, equity. He was worthy
to preach. He was the sort of man
to whom other men gladly entrust their
most important private affairs. He
was fitted by capacity, by study. by
ideals. for the pure function of gov
eminent. He had put aside prefer
ment. money. love-the trio of rewards
for any one of which men daily sell
their souls-that he might be the filter
for his task.
And as he went about that spring
preaching his crusade scanty audiences
listened carelessly or with suspicion
bred of many receptions and syste-
matte miseducation; let us be just
indifferently responsive.
John was in the Steel City one night
speaking at public meeting He was
often laughed at for proffering old
fashioned oratory in the day of the
ubiquitous newspaper. But it was the
only way in which he could reach the
- /,
sidized press were not open to him or
his crusade. He went away from the
hall heavily downcast. The audience
had been small, anything but enthusi-
astic, and he had spoken poorly. There
is no encouragement like unto that of
the man who believes he has message
to give and knows that he has deliv-
cred it inadequately.
His way to the hotel took him along
the city's principal street. He walked
slowly, scrutinizing the passersby with
that interest in city throngs which the
country bred man never quite loses.
He came to a corner where another
crowded thoroughfare crossed. He
stopped and leaned against the wall of
| the bank that stood there
The theaters were just letting out,
| and around him swirled a stream of
humanity, the sound of many voices
and twice as many feet rising in a
peculiar. unmusical roar. John won
dered as the endless stream of hui
manity swept by him if it were true
| as Haig had said to him once that
| 900 men in 1000 in the cities were
| dependent on the thousandth, and that
six men had it in their power to turn
on a panic" to put on the screws
| What, if the screws were put on,
would these men do-fght or submit:
But it was not that which made the
| load of dependency hang heavier.
Once, seeing a thousand men gathered
in the square at home, he had thought
| of the power there, "the power and
the glory" Now he saw the people,
not in their immensely, but in their
infinite multiplicity; so many men
| with so many interests, each living in
his own restricted sphere Was Haig
then right? How could a dreamer or
thousand dreamers by word of
mouth teach these men to think what
their lives taught them not to feel
that social problem was their prob
lem, that political putrefaction was
| their peril, that the masses interest
was their interest?
He walked on, tortured by doubts.
yet clinging, as the shipwrecked mari
ner clings to his raft, to his dwindling
| faith in the DeoDle
AS he was passing through the lob
by of his hotel the clerk motioned him
to the desk. Say, there's been a big
tough guy in three times tonight ask
ing for you. Says It's important, and
he'll be back again. Name is Maley.
| / guess" he laughed, knowing his
guest. sits some political bum want
| ing to make touch.''
Butch Maley of New Chelsea, former
'heeler," doubtlessl John, curious.
found a seat in the lobby and waited
| at the recollections called forth by the
name. which he had almost forgotten
| Butch Maley was the first to be con-
| yicted in that crusade of nearly six
years ago.
| He had not long to wait MaIey was
| the same bestial creature who had
| stood trembling in the dock and march
| ed away. mounting imprecations and
large threats, to the penitentiary. That
he was prosperous, the yellow diamond
In his necktie loudly proclaimed. He
rolled toward John, grinning affably.
"Howdy. Johnny?" He did not Of
fer to shake hands. for which John
was thankful.
| How are you, MaIey?"
"Me?" Maley drew up chair and
| deposited his huge bulk in it. "Oh,
I'm Twin on No. / Easy street These
here is good times fer feIlers like me-
With an apparently unconscious ges-
ture he lovingly stroked his paunch.
$50 / should say. Same old profess
siong'
Il got a half intrust in a booze joint
That's my business. As fer profesh'.
I'm still statesman Only yuh'd
have fine time gittin' the goods on
me now j learnt" be grinned. "a lot
from yuh. Say, I'm wantin' sump'n."
What can | do for you?''
:. 'Tain't fer me- He assumed an
air of extreme caution. "Sposin' they
wuz a Teller wot never done yuh no
dirt and at the same time. not bein' in
yer game. yuh got him foul An then
s'posin' he beat it, not wantin' to serve
time, an then, bein' up against it in a