River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-06-13


he said. "The committee likes prompt
ness"
They left together, the one striding
out with long steps that were sur
prisfngly light for his size, the other,
hanging back a trifle, as one who walks
because he must. Old Adelbert, who
had loved his king better than his
country, was tagging patriot that
night. His breath came short and
labored. His throat was dry. AS they
passed the opera, however, he threw
his head UP. The performance was
over, but the great house was still
lighted, and in the foyer strutting
about, was his successor. Old Abel
bert quickened his steps.
At the edge of the place, near the
statue of the queen, they took car,
and so reached the borders of the city.
After that they walked far. The scent
Of the earth, fresh turned by the
plough, was in their nostrils. Cattle,
turned out after the long winter,
grazed or lay in the fields. Through
the ooze of the road the two plodded 4;
old Adelbert struggling through with
difficulty, the concierge exhorting him
impatientIy to haste.
At last the leader paused, and sur
veyed his surroundings: "Here
must cover your eyes, comrade,' he
said. cit is a formality all must COM
ply with"
Old Adelbert drew back. II do not
like your rule. I am not as other men.
l must see where 60"
81 shall lead you carefully. And, if
you fear, can carry you" He
chuckled at the thought. But old Adel-
bert knew well that he could do it,
knew that he was as a child to those
mighty arms. He submitted to the
bandage, however, with an i'll grace
that caused the concierge to smile.
'Tt hurts your dignity, eh, old
rooster!" he said jovially. "Others, of
greater dignity, have felt the same.
But all submit in the end"
He piloted the veteran among the
graves with the ease Of familiarity.
Only once he spoke. "Know you where
you are?"
'In a field" said Adelbert, recently
ploughed."
"Aye, IN field, right enough. But
one which sows corruption, and raises
nothing, until perhaps great st. Ga
briel calls in his CROP"
Then, realizing the meaning Of the
mounds over which he trod, old Adel-
bert crossed himself.
"Only a handful know Of this meet
ing place." boosted the concierge. II,
and a few others. Only we may meet
with the committee face to face"
'You must have great influence" OBJ
served old Adelbert timidly.
II control the guilds. He who today
can sway labor to his will is power
full; very powerful, comrade. Labor
is the great beast which tires of car
rying burdens, and is but now learning
it's strength"
"Aye," said old Adelbert. Had I
been wise, I would have joined a guild.
Then I might have kept my place at
the opera. AS it is, stood alone, and
they put me out"
"You do not stand alone now. Stand
by us, and we will support you. The
republic will not forget it's friends"
Thus heartened, old Adelbert bright
ened up somewhat. Why should he, an
old soldier, sweat at the thought of
blood? Great changes required heroic
measures. 1t was because he was old
that he feared change. He stumped
through the passageway without urg-
ing, and stood erect and with shoulders
squared while the bandage was re
moved.
He was rather longer than Olga
LoSchek had been in cOmprehending
his surroundings. His old eyes at first
saw little but the table and it's candles
in their gruesome holders. But when
he saw the committee his heart failed.
Here, embodied before him, was every
thing he had loathed during all his
upright and loyal years-anarchy,
murder, treason. His face worked.
The cords in his neck stood out like
strings drawn to the breaking point.
The concierge was speaking. For
all his Boosting, he was i'll at ease.
His voice had lost its bravado, and
had taken on fawning note.
''This is the man of whom word was
sent to the committee" he said. 81
ventured to ask that he be allowed
to come here, because he brings in
formation of value
"Step forward, comrade," said the