Social problems -- Fiction; War stories; World War, 1914-1918 -- Fiction
“How long ago was that?” asked the Candidate, and Jimmie answered
three years. “And you haven't lost your enthusiasm?” This with an
intensity that surprised Jimmie. No, he answered, he was not that
kind. Whatever happened, he would keep pegging away at the task of
freeing labour. He would not see the New Day, perhaps, but his
children would see it; and a fellow would work like the devil to
save his children.
So they came to the city; and the Candidate pressed Jimmie's arm.
“Comrade,” he said, “I want to tell you how much good this little
trip has done me. I owe you a debt of gratitude.”
“Me?” exclaimed Jimmie.
“You have given me fresh hope and courage, and at a time when I felt
beaten. I got into town this morning, and I'd had no sleep, and I
tried to get some in the hotel and couldn't, because of the horror
that's happening. I wrote a dozen telegrams and sent them off, and
then I was afraid to go back to the hotel-room, because I knew I'd
only lie awake all afternoon. But now--I remember that our movement
is rooted in the hearts of the people!”
Jimmie was trembling. But all he could say was: “I wish I could do
it every Sunday.”
“So do I,” said the Candidate.
VII
They walked down Main Street, and some way ahead they saw a crowd
gathered, filling the pavement beyond the kerb. “What is that?”
asked the Candidate, and Jimmie answered that it was the office of
the Herald. There must be some news.
The other hastened his steps; and Jimmie, striding alongside, fell
silent again, knowing that the gigantic burden and woe of the world
was falling upon his hero's shoulders once more. They came to the
edge of the crowd, and saw a bulletin in front of the newspaper
office. But it was too far away for them to read. “What is it?” they
asked.
“It says the Germans are going to march into Belgium. And they've
shot a lot of Socialists in Germany.”
“WHAT?” And the Candidate's hand clutched Jimmie's arm.
“That's what it says.”
“My God!” exclaimed the man. And he began pushing his way into the
crowd, with Jimmie in his wake. They got to the bulletin, and stood
reading the typewritten words--a bare announcement that more than a
hundred leading German Socialists had been executed for efforts to
prevent mobilization. They continued staring, until people pushing
behind them caused them to draw back. Outside the throng they stood,
the Candidate gazing into space, and Jimmie gazing at the Candidate,
both of them dumb. It was a fact that they could not have been more
shocked if the news had referred to the members of Local Leesville
of the Socialist Party of America.
The pain in the Candidate's face was so evident that Jimmie groped
about in his head for something comforting to say. “At least they
done what they could,” he whispered.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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