vo" at every grammatical mistake, or every false
analogy. Angry glances were cast at him from neighboring tables, as in
his applause was recognized contempt for the speaker whom they admired
so much. No one laughed or joked, all were silent to the end; at every
violent expression of the long-haired Saxon, eyes flashed, heads nodded
approval, and feet stamped excitedly. So eagerly did the meeting drink
in this excited orator's words that they quite forgot to drink their
beer, and the waiter, bringing in a fresh supply, had to go out again
with an exclamation of surprise.

When the speaker had finished and resumed his seat, Schrotter and Paul,
to their immense surprise, saw Wilhelm spring to his feet in the midst
of all the stamping and applause and go to the platform. What was that
for? He went up and began to speak in an undertone to the organizers of
the meeting. They put their heads together, looking at the card Wilhelm
had given them; then one of them rose, and coming to the front of the
platform, shouted so as to be heard above the clamor:

"True to our principles of listening to opponents, we are going to
allow a guest to speak: it is not part of the programme, but no citizen
shall have cause to complain that his mouth has been stopped."

Any one could understand what this meant, as Wilhelm stood alone in the
middle of the platform and waited with folded arms for silence and
attention. His dark eyes looked straight at his audience, and he began
in his clear, quiet voice: "What you all feel in this meeting is
discontent with your fate, and a wish to improve it. I do not believe,
however, that the honored speaker before me has shown you a way which
will bring you any nearer to your desires. You wish that the State
shall nurse you in sickness, and provide for you in old age. What is
the State? It is yourselves. The State has nothing but what you give
it. If it provides for you in sickness and old age, it takes the money
out of your own pockets. You do not want the State for that. In days of
health and strength you could yourselves lay aside spare money for bad
times without the services of gendarmes, or assistance of executors.
The last speaker spoke of hatred for the owners of property, hatred of
profit. Hatred is a painful feeling. It adds to the pain of existence
another, and very likely a greater one. A soul in which the poison of
hate is at work is heavy and sad, and can never feel happiness. If you
would not b