Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-19
CHAPTER X-(Continued)


CHAPTER IX-(Continued)
sSFTyHIs silly boy is thinking onl
i how to push himself higher in tn
world. He does not care how muc
trouble he stirs." sputtered Father lie
clair. "He will make fools OF thes
people for his own ends. No, he sha
not do So"
He trotted across the road AM
c,ir,bed the outside stairs which let
70 the attorneys office. He hurried
across the room and extended a quiv
ering finger, when Blais turned to fac'
him. They were in plain sight OF th'
gaping men below.
take down that insulting nag
Louis Blais."
II shall decorate my office as see
at, Father Leclair."
THAT is not a decoration. There Is
the spirit of rebellion behind it--i'
stirs men to foolish rage against
good government under which they
live. No good comes out of rage. Nc
good comes out of fighting. Take
down that flag I command YOU
"There is a time to fight. 1t is when
men cannot get their rights In any
other way. Our fathers fought"
"You shall not provoke these few
poor people to ruin ALTO spoil all
their cause by senseless riot against
f,,N &c ~
pose. Take down that flag"
mo"
The priest was little, was old. But
The holy zeal which animated him
was more potent than mere muscle.
He brushed past Blais. broke the staff,
and flung the flag down into the road.
Not one word to re. sir" he cried.
He faced the young man, his hand up.
raised. II know you. l know your
designs. You are not the true friend
OF these people. You are thinking only
of yourself 1t matters not what they
suffer from fury and folly so long as
you win for yourself"
He leaned out Of the window.
Go to your homes. my people.
tell you as your priest that l will put
my hands to your affairs. l have
prayed. Now 1 will work. There is
q way. will find It,"
ASK the good father If he will
make the rich Yankees give back
those homes to the people who have
been turned out-ofdoors," suggested
Blais, calling to the men below.
Their eyes, upturned to his. asked
the question mutely. but the priest
had no answer for them. He under
stood their natures too well to attempt
evAsion.
With the simple directness of chill
dren they expected candor; they
wanted performance. not promise.
Father Leclair realized what dam
ego the demagogue had already done.
His flock did not display the trust
fulness, the willing obedience with
which they had always responded
when he called on them for service.
They muttered and scowled.
take care, my children take
oare!" he warned them. sadly. do
not raise up a leader who counsels
you to do bad things"
1T do not like such talk to be made
sbout me. Father Leclair," said Blais.
The priest was on his way to the
door. For the first time he noticed
man in the Office. 1t was Dave
Roi, who sat on the edge Of a table,
clasping his upcocked knees with his
hands. He grinned when Father -
clair flashed indignant eyes his way
$50 you dare to come this side of
ne boundary, David Roi?"
"A man must come to his lawyer.
when there is business to be DONE"
sThen you understand there is such
d thing as law. do you? From what
q have heard about you Of late.
y4cught you had forgotten"
tssYou mustn't believe all you hear.
Inther." said Roi, patronizingly. They
HI lie about me along the border"
'Listen to me moment, Father Le-
clair" broke in the lawyer. II am
= candidate for public office. have a
figInt to be a candidate"
"You have not yet become the
proper sort Of a man to lead the peo-
pIe." insisted the priest. II tell you
20 to your face. 1t is my duty to
guard my people from all who try to
oecsive them"
"A priest has no right to meddle In
nolttics. warn you. father. that you
VIII md trouble II you get in my way.
You are a good man. I hate to threat
On you. But have to protect myself.
You talk to my face. eh? Then I'll
taIk to yours. II you meddle and try
tqSprt me ! shall report you to the
bdAnop-"
Il shall continue to do what I think
= my duty as a pastor OF folks who
~ easfly misled," returned the father.
ssxou are urging them to resist the
1rw. 70 be violent. to turn out good
|mnn, who has done much for his dis.
:<xio<. You ask them TO elect you. who
10 untried. inexperienced and rash.
- shall 60 on. I am not easily ter.
n&n>A ~heu 4 am right"