River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1915-05-27
CHAPTER XIV.
independence Day.


For weeks the business men
and factories had been working on
! floats. banners and street decorations.
and when July the 4th daWned it
found the Michigan city ready to greet
it in a way which would have done
! honor to the largest cities in the land
| A number Of the more public spirited
| citizens. led by Edgar Prince, George
Edwards, Mr.. Marchmount and others
like-mfnded, had charge of the cele-
bration. and they spared no efforts to
make it a great occasion. Allan Rut-
ledge had been engaged to make the
grafton at the park following the mon
ster parade.
Meanwhile the circulation of the Cou-
rier was falling off. People were los
ing confidence in it. The presence of
Ned Rowlands on the staff was dis
couraging to many of the radical re-
formers.
The young editor knew nothing of
the schemes Of the conspirators who
were now confident that they had Reg
inald in their grasp. They planned in
very short time to take advantage
Of the falling subscription list Of the
Courier to unceremoniOuSly GUST the
budding editor from his chair and fol-
low up this blow by circulating stories
defaming his character and also By
beginning action in the courts for the
immediate payment of the notes which
Reginald Nelson had signed in pay
ment for his stock in the Courier
The evening before the Fourth Allan
Rutledge and Reginald were closeted
together in the private Office Of the
editor
II have a complete list Of the illegal
and vicious resorts which are open
every night" said Reginald, holding
paper in his hand. land also have
list giving the names of the property
holders who are receiving rent from
these laWbreakers."
'And your plan is to give all your
information to the public?" The min
lister spoke slowly and deliberately.
Precisely" answered the other
promptly. 81 feel there will be no
danger Of advertising these resorts
by publishing their locations, as | am
fully convinced that the issue of the
Courier tomorrow will mean the elimi-
nation of this evil from Bronson for a
time at least
"And you will publish the names Of
Allan Rutledge.
Certainly. 1t is the privilege of a
newspaper to make public such infor-
nation at any time"
"Let me see the list of the property
holders" said the minister.
He took a paper from ReginaId's
hand and glanced oyer it.
'Isn't this an awful record?" he ex-
claimed. why, here are some Of our
leading capitalists in Bronson. What
can they mean by renting property for
such vile uses?"
ooh, that is a simple proposition"
replied the editor. II discovered the
secret of such things while l was still
In England. Reputable business would
only pay an interest Of from 5 per cent
to 10 per cent, but these resorts pay
an interest on the investment of Is
per cent to 80 per cent"
1T is a mere matter, then, of sordid
gain" said Allan Rutledge in disgust.
THAT is ALL" replied the editor.
Certain capital asks for nothing but
interest 1t cares not for God nor man."
"GO ahead" said the minister, with
~
editorial and your exposure as COM
plete and radical as you can make it.
In my speech in the park / will refer
to your paper, and demand that the
citizens of Bronson declare another
revolution"
independence day dawned serenely
beautiful. The rising sun was greet
ed with cannons and loud reports Of
giant f1recrackerS.
AS the monster parade moved slow
" through the streets of Bronson that
morning Reginald Nelson mingled with
the crowd of onlOokers, and felt his
whole being thrilled with the patriotic
emotions which were vibrant among
the people, For the moment he forgot
that he had staked his entire future
on the issue of the Courier for that
day. He forgot the rage and anger
that unquestionably would be aroused
against him by the men whose greed
and falsity he had exposed.
'This is the true land of destiny"
he said to himself, as he gazed on the
passing pageant, and noticed the en-
thusiasm and spirit of the crowds
| which had massed themselves on Ell
cher side Of the line of march.
Just at that moment there were some
| Of Bronson's citizens who were not at
all interested in its celebration of In
dependence day. In the office of Mr.
Graham a little company composed of
Roland Gregory, Ned Rowlands and
Bud McCrea were sitting with blanch-
ed faces.
"Why didn't you report to US what
he was going to do?" McCrea was say
| ;po onpTilv t0 Nod ROWIandc