Then the other explained that they were seeking to organize and
educate the working class, for the purpose of bringing about an
economic change. They wished to take the land and the mines, the
railroads and the factories out of the hands of the capitalists. "We
believe that such things should not belong to individuals," he said,
"but to the people. Then there will be work for everyone, and everyone
will get the full value of his labor, and no man will be able to live
without working."
There was a pause, while Samuel was getting the meaning of this into
his mind. "But," he exclaimed in amazement, "that is exactly what _I_
believe!"
"Of course," replied the other, "it is exactly what everyone with
sense believes."
"But--but--" gasped the boy, "then am I a Socialist?"
"Nine tenths of the people in the country are Socialists," replied
Everley--"only they haven't found it out yet."
"But," cried Samuel, "you ought to teach them!"
"We're doing our best," laughed the other. "Come and help us."
Samuel was quite dumfounded. "But how do people come to have all these
false ideas about you?" he asked.
"Those are the ideas that the masters want them to have."
Samuel was clutching at the arms of his chair. "Why--it's a
conspiracy!" he cried.
"Precisely," said the other. "A conspiracy of the ruling class. They
own the newspapers and the books, the colleges and churches and
governments.
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