Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-06-16
NJ r.. ID A v I'D
BY F. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM

Il hope you are telling the truth
she said. 1.-The Grumpy shoe factory
is one of the only great ind ustria
concerns in this country where the
workpeople arc not trade unionist. The
trades unions are bringing great pres
sure to bear upon them every day. Are
you a p from these people, David,
because If so you may find your task
more dangerous than o think ?"
He smiled at her reassuringly.
On my honor" he declared, II do
not care in the least whether we be-
long to the trade union OF not?" \
Then l. must still ash you" she
persisted, why you have come to
Grunby's factory as a kin sorter.?".
II am one of those people who have
drifted all over the world" he told
her, seeing life from many stand
points. When the a came l was
a soldier"
You are not an Engiishman?" she
asked him bluntly.
Il am not he admitted. IT was
educated in England and my mother
! was English.
! "of what nationality are you,
them"
He hesitated.
Il belong to one of those unfortun-
ate countries" he replied, who
fought with the Allies during the war,
but suffered ST. d~isastrously before
the n came that reconstruction has
become a terrible task. I am a Balk-
anlander."
She NODDED sympathetically. =
Il suppose o lost a great deal of
money during the warp"
Il lost a great DEAL" he admitted
but L should like to be frank with
you. if I may. I am not sorting skins
here because I am compelled to work
for my living. I think that some day
shall return to my country, and !
have made it my business, during the
industries which I think might be de
veloped there. Boot manufacturing
is one of them
Have you influence there - she
asked.
Il had once" he admitted. Il may
have again."
q" am afraid that T do not know
much about Balkanland. although
c~urionsly enough I have indirect con-
nections with the country" h con-
fessed. Il have heard it<said, though
that Metzger is a very ambitious and
domineering man."
That Ia quite true" David assent.
ed. He is also a bad patriot. The
people will find him out in time. Then
perhaps. a new era will come. I be.
long to those who hope for a different
form of government, Meanwhile, I am
preparing myself to be a useful citi.
zen when the time for a change ar.
rives." e. 49,
She was silent for some moments
her fingers straying in the cool grass
by her side. A little breadth of soft
wind famed their faces. She stretched
out her limbs and body as though
filled with the %voluptous pleasure Of
the sunshine and the wild-rose-scent.
ed air.
What do you know about me ?" she
asked. =
Very little" he replied. IT am no,
Of overlooker of the female labor
that you have a great influence over
the girls and women, and that yoy
have administrative gifts" T.
Anything else?"'
'That you live with a stepfathe,
who is one Of the firms travellers.
gathered from a conversation I over.
heard one day, that he is a bette,
scholar then boot salesman"
Israel Blackman is very clever, blu,
Lam afraid he will never succeed II
business" she admitted. HE is too
Irettcent and toe much immersed in hi,
books. Even I. who have lived in thu
same. house for years, know it'll.
OF his Interior ambitions. I will tel
you one singular thing about him
though. Ny mother married him il
New Jersey. but although he has LIVED
in America most Of his life, he is no,
an American at all-he Is a fellow
countryman of yours"
David vas genuinely surprised.
That IL strange" he observed. 81
few Balkanlanders ever emigrate t.
America. Is Blackman his>real name1 4
II do not think sos' she answered
"He was about the age of a studen,
when he came to the states, and
have always thought 1t possible tina,
he left because OF some political ,trou'
BILE. Then again it might have beer
because he was a Jew"
David nodded.
There was q time" he assented
when B~alkanland was not very toll
Grant to her Jew subjects. He prob.
ably dabbled in socialism-becam,
one Of these theorists who evolve srea'
thoushts( for others To- put to : mis-.
chieyous purpose"
4 She leaned on her elbow and look,