The Reverend Earl Benton had just finished reading of Stover's arrest when his door bell rang. Mrs. Benton went to the door and admitted a young lady who asked to see Rev2. Benton. Mrs. Benton showed the young lady into the pastor's study.
"Rev. Benton, I am Pearl Gardner," she said by way of introduction.
"Have a chair, Miss Gardner. What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to talk to you about a certain matter. I came to you because you are the only person I know whom I was sure belongs to the Ku Klux Klan. I wanted to talk to a Klansman."
"I have stated in a number of public lectures that I belong to the Klan."
"I had heard that you said that you belong to the Klan and as I wanted to get the help of the Klan, I came to you."
"I will be pleased to carry your message to the Klan if it appears that that organization can be of any service to you."
"I think it can. I have been keeping company with a young man by the name of Chester Golter. We are engaged to be married but he refuses to keep the engagement."
"What did you want the Klan to do in the matter?"
"I thought if a letter were written to him telling him that if he didn't keep his promise to me he would be visited by Ku Kluxers that he would marry me."
"Has he actually refused to marry you?"
"Not in so many words. He used to keep company with another girl who worked in the bank. Her name is Ruth Babcock. Since we have been engaged I have seen a letter she wrote to him. I discovered by the contents of this letter that he had asked her for her company after he had told me that he did not care for her and would not go with her again. She told him in this letter very positively3 that she would not go with him. Of course I was offended and refused to go with him to a show the following night. Since then he has gone with another girl several times and has said that he does not know whether we should get married or not; that he is afraid we are not compatible. He is afraid of the Klan and if he had a threatening letter from the Ku Kluxers he would keep his promise to me."
"My dear young lady," said the minister, "you do not understand the work of this organization. The Klan does not write threatening letters, nor visit anyone for the purpose of coercing4 them. That is a mistaken idea that many have. Not long ago a woman came to me asking that I get the Klan to chase her husband out of town. She said he was worthless and she wanted to get rid of him. A man came to me and told me that he thought that if the Klan would give his uncle a right good whipping it might improve his conduct. It isn't strange that so many people have this mistaken idea of the mission of the Klan. The newspapers have printed so much of alleged5 threats and punishments by Klans that many have believed them. The Klan is not a punitive6 organization except as it assists officers in the enforcement of the law by furnishing evidence and giving the officers its moral support. If this young man positively refuses to marry you, of course, you have recourse in the courts. You can sue him for breach7 of promise."
"Then the Klan won't write a letter to him threatening to visit him if he doesn't many me?"
"I am sure it would not. Maybe a little more sweetness and graciousness on your part would bring the young gentleman around all right?'
"Well, I will be going. I thank you."
The clergyman walked to the door and as she passed out he said, "I trust your affair with this young man may terminate satisfactorily for you, but remember this: there can be no true marriage relation except two hearts are bound captive to each other with a golden chain of love."
After his caller had gone Rev. Benton informed his wife that he was going to town.
"Remember, dear, that you have to conduct a funeral this afternoon. You must be back promptly8 at noon for your lunch."
"I remember the funeral and will be here at twelve. These funerals are sad, gloomy occasions in the life of a minister."
"Usually, but a funeral service might bring a great deal of pleasure to a minister."
"What do you mean?"
"It would afford me a great deal of pleasure to preach the funeral sermon over the remains10 of some of the brothers who are continually knocking, or of the sisters who are always suffering from the 'hoof11 and mouth disease.'"
"Tut, tut, my dear," his wife replied, shaking her finger at him, "to hear you talk one would think you have some members in your flock whom you do not love."
"Well, to tell the truth," he said, laughing, "I have a few members who would be so much more lovable dead."
As she stood watching him walk down the street she noticed that his step was not quite so sprightly13 as it had been when they were married thirty-five years before and that his shoulders were beginning to bow under the burdens of life. She rejoiced that while his body was aging his heart and spirits retained their youthfulness.
As the minister passed Isaac Goldberg's place the little Jew called to him from his door. "Shust a minute, Reverend, I vonts to speak to you."
"All right, Mr. Goldberg. What is it?"
"I understand dat the Klan is going to build a beeg klavern. Is dat right?"
"How much the cost?"
"Ten thousand dollars."
"Vel, vel, dot is lots of money. If the Klan vants to borry some moneys Isaac has it to loan. And I shust ask only 10 per cent."
"Isaac, would you loan money to the Klan?"
"I thank you for the offer, but I am quite sure that the Klan will be able to finance this building without any outside help."
"Vel, remember Isaac has moneys to loan—on goot security, of course; alvays on goot security."
A little way farther down the street Rev. Benton met Mr. Jackson.
"Good morning, Reverend."
"How are you, Jackson?"
"Reverend Benton, what do you think of Stover's arrest?"
"Well, I have never had a very exalted17 opinion of Stover, but I had not suspected him of being a thief."
"It looks bad for him, but he may be able to come clear. I hope he does."
"Well, I do, too. While I have never been an admirer of Stover I would regret very much to know that he had robbed a man who has become an invalid18 and dependent on his daughter for support."
"If he did defraud19 Babcock and then discharged his daughter who was supporting her father and aunt because she was keeping company with Harold King whom he had a personal grudge20 against, as reported, there aren't adjectives strong enough to use in condemning21 him." Jackson spoke22 with feeling.
"I know that he discharged the girl because she was keeping company with Harold King but, of course, I know nothing about the charges of fraud."
Springer now came by and Jackson stopped him with the question, "Springer, what do you think about this Stover affair?"
"I think just what I stated in the Journal, that Stover's arrest is a piece of spite work."
There was quite a crowd collected now and someone asked, "Who was the girl you referred to in the article in the paper?"
"Ruth Babcock who had been discharged by Stover."
"Oh, yes. Wasn't she the girl that published the affidavit23 in regard to the Rastus Jones affair?" another man asked.
"Yes, she has been playing into the hands of the Klan all along." Springer showed embarrassment24 in his voice and manner. His feeling was of the same nature as when that affidavit was published.
"Who is back of this prosecution25?" another asked.
"Harold King," Springer replied.
"If Harold King is responsible for it you can rest assured that it is not spite work. Harold King is every inch a man, and while he may not be friendly to Stover he would not stoop to do a dishonorable act. If he was instrumental in causing Stover's arrest he has some proofs." Rev. Benton spoke in a positive voice.
"Some of the other Klan leaders may have made him think that there was some evidence against Stover and used him as a tool. They have to make a goat of someone," Springer remarked.
"Harold King isn't the kind that they make a goat of," said Jackson, "he has a mind of his own."
"This is one of the consequences of that detestable Klan. It is causing trouble all over the country. I have repeatedly warned the people of this danger through the columns of the Journal."
"Springer, in just what way is the Klan causing trouble?" Jackson asked.
"Haven't you been reading in the paper about the riots that have occurred in many places where Klan meetings are held?"
"Yes, I have been reading of some attacks being made on Klan meetings and Klan parades. It seems that in every instance the Klan members were assaulted, and that the Klan did nothing to provoke the riots."
"Well, it doesn't make any difference who the aggressors were, the Klan is to blame; if they had not been holding meetings and having parades there wouldn't have been any riots and bloodshed. This Klan organization arouses such bitter feeling that the only sane26 and safe thing is for them to disorganize."
"Springer," said Rev. Benton, "if I understand you correctly you take the position that the Klan antagonizes certain groups and for that reason the Klan should disorganize?"
"Yes. That is about right. This Klan movement stirs up so much bitterness that its very existence is a menace to the peace and safety of the country. It doesn't make any difference what the principles of the Klan are, it stirs up strife27 and for that reason has no right to exist."
"Springer, I am surprised at you. You, who are supposed to be a leader of thought and a molder of public opinion in the community." It was the Rev. Benton who now addressed Springer. There were by this time forty or fifty men in the crowd and all listened attentively28 while the minister spoke.
"I want you men to see just how reasonable or unreasonable29 this argument of our friend Springer is. He says that the Klan should be disorganized because it stirs up bitter opposition30. If this argument is good then the Christian31 Church should have been disorganized in the first centuries, as it was bitterly opposed by the pagans and the Roman government. Christians32 were burned at the stake and made to fight with wild beasts in the arena33. The Masonic order should have been abolished in the days of its youth if Springer's argument is good, for certainly the Masonic order stirred up opposition. Then, there have existed various temperance organizations that should have been suppressed because they stirred up bitter opposition from whiskey dealers34 and manufacturers. According to your argument all of the cats should go out of business because the rats don't like them to guard the pantry."
This last remark was greeted by uproarious laughter from most of the crowd. Hisses35 from a few. "Eat him up, preacher," a large man on the edge of the crowd shouted. "That's right, we're for you," came from a number.
"I believe it's better to use love and forbearance. Didn't Paul say, 'If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend'; and didn't Christ teach the doctrine37 of non-resistance and say, 'Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite38 thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also'? I believe in the policy of non-resistance in the spirit of love. Since the Klan gives offense39 to my brother—if I were a Klansman I would give it up." ("That's right, Springer, you've told it to him right," a fourth degree Knight15 of Columbus exclaimed.)
"I believe in the doctrine of love and forebearance, too, but I also believe in loyalty40 to principle. (The minister spoke in a well controlled voice but with great earnestness.) When Paul spoke of not eating meat if it caused his brother to offend he was speaking of meat that had been offered to idols41. It would give offense to some to eat this meat and would do no violence to the conscience of any Christian to refrain from eating it.
"When Christ said, 'Resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on one cheek turn to him the other also,' he was repudiating42 the doctrine of 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' Nowhere did Christ or Paul teach that one should surrender principles of truth and righteousness in case someone became offended because of his advocacy. Christ knew that His principles would stir up bitter opposition and said, 'Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword.' Christ himself used force to clear the temple of the money changers, and I haven't any idea that those grafters whose game was interfered43 with liked it. It is the fellow whose game is being interfered with by the Klan who is raising a big hullabaloo. I am a lover of peace, but if my advocacy of the tenets of the Christian religion, of the separation of church and state, free schools, pure womanhood, freedom of speech and the press, the up-holding of the constitution of the United States is an offense to any individual or group of individuals—native or foreign-born—let them be offended. I repeat it—let them be offended.
"As a method of judging the genuine from the spurious, Christ said, 'By their fruits ye shall know them.' What are the fruits of this organization which you despise? It has done much benevolent44 work in the way of assisting individuals and worthy45 institutions. It is establishing hospitals and orphan46 homes. It has assisted in enforcement of law in many localities; it has created more respect for law and encouraged church attendance and——"
"Let me in here," someone demanded. The minister stopped in the middle of a sentence and turned in the direction of the authoritative47 voice. He saw McMichael elbowing his way through the crowd to the center of the ring where his friend Springer and himself were facing each other.
"Benton, your damn Klan has played hell in this community." The lawyer spoke in a loud, harsh voice.
"You seem to be excited. What is the trouble?" the minister asked.
"Trouble enough. Now that we have Dan Brown as sheriff, Stanton as county attorney and Rider as judge, all of them Klansmen, life and property will not be safe in Wilford Springs and there will be no justice."
"You are mistaken, Mr. McMichael. Bootleggers and gamblers are objecting now because they are getting justice."
"No one can get justice in a community where there are Klan officials. If I were governor of this state, do you know what I would do?"
"No, I don't have any idea what you would do as governor," the minister replied.
"Well, sir, I'll tell you what I would do. I'd put every town that has Klan officers under martial48 law until the people of the town forced the Klan officials to resign."
"Well, Mr. McMichael," said Benton, laughing, "if you were governor and should attempt to coerce49 the people and trample50 upon their sacred rights in such a despotic manner, I fear that you wouldn't long remain governor; but would soon join the ranks of the has-beens along with ex-governor Slydell and others who made fools of themselves." The crowd laughed and applauded and the minister made his way through the crowd and started for home.
As Rev. Benton and Mr. Jackson walked up the street together they met a dapper young man and a girl of the flapper type.
"That is Chester Golter, Stover's nephew," Jackson volunteered.
"I have heard of him but have never seen him to know who he was before. And who is the young lady with him?"
"Her name is Gladys Glendenning. She has been here for a few weeks teaching dancing lessons."
The following day Rev. Benton saw in the paper an account of the marriage of Gladys Glendenning to Chester Golter and a few days later notice of a breach of promise suit brought against Chester Golter by Pearl Gardner who asked twenty thousand dollars as heart balm. Later he heard that the case was settled out of court for three thousand dollars.
"I wouldn't think that a heart that has been wounded through misplaced love could be repaired by payment of money," remarked Mrs. Benton.
"My dear, money can not heal a heart wound that is very deep," replied the minister, and then added, "a girl who would ask to have her fiance frightened into keeping his engagement is entirely51 lacking in true love upon which real homes are built and which binds52 hearts together through both sunshine and storm."
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1
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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coercing
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| v.迫使做( coerce的现在分词 )；强迫；（以武力、惩罚、威胁等手段）控制；支配 | |
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alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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punitive
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| adj.惩罚的，刑罚的 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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defraud
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| vt.欺骗，欺诈 | |
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grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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condemning
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| v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的现在分词 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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affidavit
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| n.宣誓书 | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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sane
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| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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arena
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| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
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dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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hisses
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| 嘶嘶声( hiss的名词复数 ) | |
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scripture
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| n.经文，圣书，手稿；Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》，《圣经》中的一段 | |
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doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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repudiating
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| v.（正式地）否认( repudiate的现在分词 )；拒绝接受；拒绝与…往来；拒不履行（法律义务） | |
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interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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coerce
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| v.强迫，压制 | |
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trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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51
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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binds
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| v.约束( bind的第三人称单数 )；装订；捆绑；（用长布条）缠绕 | |
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