The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-04-17

Of the campaign Gary Miller and Nor
ley Roberts entered Corwin's Office.
The men had come by appointment to
discuss a certain phase OF financial
transaction concerning Roberts and
Miller-Corwin acting merely as at
iorney-but they had scarcely dropped
nto their chairs toward which Corwin
waved them when they began TO talk
upon the subject in which Falltown
at that moment was vitality interested
tho Victory Loan.
Molly had asked to be excused for
the afternoon. She had given no rea-
-on for the desired absence; she had
not even spoken to Corwin after OBJ
tanning his permission - she had
walked out. her shoulders squared,
her head held high. Many times Cor
win had looked at the vacant chair
with disquieting interest.
They talked of the Victory Loan
both Roberts and Miller. Corwin said
nothing. for Of late he was strangely
reluctant TO talk about the bond Is
cues. He was even beginning to feel
guilty every time he thought of them.
He was quick to note that both Mil
Ter and Roberts had lost some OF the
vindictiveness that had formerly char
acterized their reference to the bond
issues; they spoke in quieter tones;
they we're not so demonstrative; they
weighed their words more. II seemed
TO Corwin as he watched and listened.
that their faces expressed guilt such
as was in his own heart.
Roberts brows were wrinkled; his
eyes held a subdued. almost anxious
| ,xpression He seemed to be nervous
he folded and unfolded his hands:
ne scuffied his feet on the floor; his
ace was rec
Miller. toe, seemed TO be in the
lutch Of a perturbation that would
rot be shaken of Twice he cleared
his throat as he looked at Corwin; and
The second time he spoke.
Looks like Falltowns going to fail
| lgain." he said.
Corwin looked sharply at him. for
Miller's voice was hoarse and low
quite unlike his usual high pitched.
issertive tenor.
yes" said Roberts. shortly.
The three men exchanged glances.
Failure is getting to be habit
with Falltown," remarked Corwin. In
former day he would have said that
cxultantly. Now his voice was ex-
pressionless, fiat. The other two did
not even smile at his words.
Roberts. though. spoke heavily.
The Liberty Loans are not popular
with the people"
Miller cleared his throat. That's
mistake" he said. He seemed TO
look accusingly at the others. DO you
know who is responsible for the fail
ure OF Falltown to subscribe its
luo'a?"
"In this loan?" asked Roberts.
I'm every loan!" snapped Miller. II
vas the first fash Of feeling he had ex
hibited. And II seemed to Corwin and
Roberts that he looked accusingly al
them.
ITS the fault of the people who can
-,bs criba-and WON'T" declared Mi
Ter 81 know. There are five hundred
mall subecr'n'ione 20 one big one
Almost without exception the little
fellows are coming forward with theii
subscriptions. The big fellows-mosi
OF them-are holding back What's
the answer? I've got ii or what
think is the answer
The little fellow works hard. He
| M mn I
day He gets few books-he has No
time TO delve into the shelves Of the
library to read yards and yards Of pc
litical economy ty this and that writer
none of whom know enough about run
ming the Government TO stake out I
pig-pen. He does not get time to al
feet 'isms'i OF one kind and another
nor to join cults that profess to pre-
pare "a man for higher thought. HI
does not get into the critical menta
attitude of the reader OF ancient phi
losophy-he is not a carping, cynical
theorist. All he knows is enough 4
work for his family. 10 save what h
can, to get what few Injuries he can
and to follow his Government blindly
He knows enough TO be patriotic
And when the Government tells hin
there is to be a war and that so mucl
money will be required to finance II
he goes right down in his sock ans
gets II!
Now" went on Miller; the littl'
fellow has made all the subscription
he can carry. He is buying all he car
buy OF this loan. He has done his share
and he's through. We're still hun