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is the indifference and inertness of the people. That agitators are public benefactors, whether they be right or wrong, as they do for the people what is done for a person who is freezing in a snowstorm –they shake up the dying man and prevent him from freezing. You have read that work?"
"No," said he, "I haven't: but our valley is ruined and these agitators have done the work."
I paid no attention to this latter remark and began to read his paper. After fiver or ten minutes I said to him:
"I am a stranger here and, of course, don't know whether I can get a hall or not. Do you know of any hall?"
"Yes," said he, "there are two (giving the names), but I think Guiske's the best."
A smile of satisfaction ran over my face as I reflected and said to myself: "I have melted this man: he need not have given me this information, "and on the principle that "he who hesitates is lost," I said "Do you know Mr. Guiske and would you spare the time to walk down that way?"
"I don't care if I do," said he, and putting on his coat we strolled leisurely down-town together. Meantime I was engaged in conquering my antagonist. I said nothing about Socialism, but asked questions about truck stores, coal bosses, miners, etc., etc. Walking three blocks, we did not find the proprietor of the hall in, and upon the invitation of the editor we strolled around the town to find him. This took another half hour.
Well, then we returned to Guiske's store; he had left word with his wife to have him call at this office. An hour or more passed in causal conversation when the hall man appeared. Winehart engaged the hall, which is run as a skating rink, and is up stairs over two brick stores owned by the same man. He accompanied up to the hotel. Winehart said: "This is Mr. Parsons, from Chicago; give him the best room you have in the house and send the bill to me." He remained with me until 1 o' clock that night and on biding me good night said: "Parsons, I made a mistake," and, holding my hand, he continued: "Count me your friend; put down my name for the Alarm. We must have you here
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