Produced by Fritz Ohrenschall, Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net The Marx He Knew [Illustration: KARL MARX.] The Marx He Knew BY JOHN SPARGO Author of "The Bitter Cry of the Children," "Socialism, A Summary and Interpretation of Socialist Principles," "The Common Sense of Socialism," "Karl Marx: His Life and Work," Etc., Etc., Etc. CHICAGO CHARLES H. KERR & COMPANY 1909 Copyright, 1909 BY CHARLES H. KERR & COMPANY TO MADAME LAURA LAFARGUE DAUGHTER OF KARL MARX List of Illustrations KARL MARX, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE HIS BIRTHPLACE AT TRIER, FROM AN OLD PRINT 10 JOHANNA BERTHA JULIE VON WESTPHALEN, FROM A PAINTING FROM LIFE 19 FREDERICK ENGELS, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH 32 FERDINAND LASSALLE, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH 47 THE MARX FAMILY GRAVE, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH 83 THE MARX HE KNEW I The pale, yellow light of the waning day streamed through the dusty window panes of the little cigar shop, and across the bench where old Hans Fritzsche worked and hummed the melody of _Der Freiheit_ the while. The Young Comrade who sat in the corner upon a three-legged stool seemed not to hear the humming. His eyes were fixed upon a large photograph of a man which hung in a massive oak frame above the bench where Old Hans rolled cigars into shape. The photograph was old and faded, and the written inscription beneath it was scarcely legible. The gaze of the Young Comrade was wistful and reverent. "Tell me about _him_, Hans," he said at last. Old Hans stopped humming and looked at the Young Comrade. Then his eyes wandered to the portrait and rested upon it in a gaze that was likewise full of tender reverence. Neither spoke again for several seconds and only the monotonous ticking of the clock upon the wall broke the oppressive silence. "Ach! he was a wonderful man, my comrade," said Old Hans at length. "Yes, yes, he was a wonderful man--one of the most wonderful men that ever lived," responded the Young Comrade in a voice that was vibrant with religious enthusiasm. Both were silent again for a moment and then the Young Comrade continued: "Yes, Marx was a wonderful man, Hans. And you knew him--saw him smile--heard him speak--clasped his hand--called him comrade and friend!"