A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE.

Shannon News, 18 November 1921, Page 3

A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE.

■ ’ / (To the Editor.) Sir,— Perhaps a manuscript from an old desk may interest- your readers:— ’TWAS A DREAM. The Dreamer stood in the Luckless Land—that land where wealth was pouring its rivers of gold into every channel of folly and vice. Yet, within a stone’s Tirow of all this glitter, decent men, wcmep and little children suffered the agonies of slow starvation; little boys often were hunted by drunken mothers to robbery, and little girls to worse. Incredible as it may seem, there were some who loudly proclaimed this hapless country to be "Merrie Luckland,” and howled down with abuse those who would move it toward better things. But- a day arrived, when in the largest open space commanding the widest prospect, a lofty dais was reared. Around its base, and far, far as the eye could reach, was one sea of heads. Silent were they, scarce breathing, every eye fixed on the King, who stood, eager-eyed, with arms slightly extended, and addressed them thus:— “My people, my dear people!” He paused, and those near him saw a moisture in his eye and felt the tremor of his voice. “We-you.and I—have too long been estranged by those whose, interest ?t has been to make us enemies, who should be closest friends. “You h ave been taught to think me but an image of wood, impervious' to your woes, uncaring for .the cruel injustices that oppress ;cu, caring only for the. fulsome flatteries of fools, for the gewgaws that deck a crown, for the emptiness of royal pageants . “Ah! how cruelly I .have been misrepresented to you. Can y f ou not understand that bought flatteries (not bought 0 by me certainly)'' can bear frothing but lothing to any .except the most despicable natures? And would you think so meanly of your King? “And I, when have I escaped the tales (false, I feel) of your untrustworthiness, .your base ingratitude that would appreciate no sacrifice on j my part. Let us have done with these | lies, and place §ome little confidence ; in each .other, that when we know j each othdr better we may place more. “Let me be your friend, yopr com- j rade, your helper in every good' work, working together, heart and soul. Inj' six months there shall-/not; be a stailying child, a drunken home i in all our country—yours and mine. J Not a gill palace, not a .pawnshop : shall flaunt the road to ruin. Take j half my; fortune, take all; what would be -the Crown Jewels themselves j (they are> yours, not mine) for.such j a -glorious consummation. I “We have suffered pain and huml- I liation, both you and I (though in my case you: may not- have perceived it I hitherto) through this demon of ■High'Finance.’ ! Together we will sign his death warrant, together we,will march joyously to ’his funeral. Bring along your RedJ Flag, or your Green •Flag, or whatever flag is dearest to your j hearts, and together we will plant them on his grave.” He ceased, but who can .paint the enthusiasm of those millions, as with tears and smiles and wildest accla illations they rushed to carry him shoulder high. No paid “claqueurs are these; but men and women., who have discovered at- .last that their : King is also a Man. ' A dream?— sometimes dreams come ; true -I am, etc., I I SPECTATOR. I