Part 1 (1/2)
Solaris Farm.
by Milan C. Edson.
DEDICATION.
This book, is dedicated to the sons and daughters of the farms of the Republic as an expression of the author's realization, that Agricultural people const.i.tute a large majority of its working units: That as such, its destiny is in the hands of their boys and girls, as its future guardians, fathers and mothers: That for the reasons stated, they should become its dominant thinkers and leaders: That Agriculture is the true basis of industrial and commercial success; hence, it should be made the most n.o.ble and pleasing of all occupations: That the alarming encroachments of land monopoly, and the inability of the small farm to meet the expense of using the latest and best machinery, threatens the total extinction of all land-owning farmers, and of their consequent reduction to the dependent caste of farm laborers: That the isolated life and the severe toil of the small farm, has a dangerously depressing effect on the minds of its people: That all of these things, seem to demand the changes suggested by the contents of this book.
PREFACE.
Strong in my convictions that all civilizations are false, which do not civilize the lowest units of any social order, I have written Solaris Farm as my contribution towards the improvement of agriculturists as a cla.s.s, of the race as a whole; towards the establishment of a truer civilization, organized for the purpose of securing the same degree of progress for the lowest orders of humanity, which have been or can be attained by the highest. In any social or political fabric, wide differences of wealth, of education, of refinement in its sub-divisions are dangerous, they swiftly lead to the introduction of caste. Caste is the dry rot, which, when once established, will surely destroy all progress, all vitality, by slowly eating away the social, industrial and political life of the nation.
In preparing this book for the press, I wish to acknowledge my obligations to the following authors, for much valuable information and inspiration: To Elmer Gates, the discoverer of new domains in Psychology, the inventor and discoverer of the art of Mentation, the founder of the Elmer Gates Laboratory, at Chevy Chase, Maryland: To Henry George, the author of ”Progress and Poverty:” To Edward Bellamy, the author of ”Equality,” and ”Looking Backward:” And lastly to that greatest of living Frenchmen, M. G.o.din, the author of ”Social Solutions,” and the founder of the ”Familistere,” with its famous industrial enterprise, located at the city of Guise, France; the grandest co-operative success of the age!
A last word to my readers: Do you wish to join forces with the humanitarians? If so, always strive so to educate the people, that they may fully understand the true object and purpose of human life; and the necessity for the upbuilding of social, industrial and political inst.i.tutions, in harmony with the demands of that purpose. This will require unselfish, persistent, co-operative effort and thought. In no other way, can you so greatly aid the cause of progress.
MILAN C. EDSON.
No. 1728 N. J. Ave., N. W.
WAs.h.i.+NGTON, D. C., SEPT. 1ST, 1900.
SOLARIS FARM.
A STORY OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.
CHAPTER I.
A FARMER'S SON WITH PROGRESSIVE TENDENCIES.
One bright summer afternoon, near the close of the month of August, 1905, two young college chums, Fillmore Flagg and George g.a.y.l.o.r.d, just met after a long separation, were seated on a rustic bench near a well-appointed mountain hotel. The superb view before them was well worthy of their half-hour's silent admiration. Full one thousand feet above the sea stands ”Hotel Mount Meenahga” in the heart of the ”Shaw.a.n.gunks,” a mountain range in the state of New York, famed for its scenic beauty, cool dry air, pure water and commanding elevation.
Looking northward a most charming landscape presents itself, a wonderful group of mountain ranges, stretching for seventy-five miles from near the Delaware Water-gap eastward to and including the Alpine peaks of the famous Catskills. Within this lovely semicircle lie the highlands of Ulster, Sullivan and Orange, lifted like seats in some vast amphitheater, tier above tier, while nearer a beautiful mingling of villages and hamlets, broad fields, green woods and silvery water-courses, const.i.tutes a picture of enchanting beauty--a picture constantly changed, shaded and intensified by broad patches of moving shadow and sunlight from a great fleet of fleecy clouds sailing so swiftly, so silently and so majestically across the summer sky.
”How exquisitely beautiful!” murmured Fillmore Flagg, ”I wish I had my camera that I might make it captive, carry it hence and keep it, a rare token of beauty, a source of joy forever.”
At this point, a brief description of the young men will serve by way of a further introduction.
Fillmore Flagg was fully six feet in height, though his compact, well-rounded figure made him seem less tall; his straight, muscular limbs were in harmony with his deep chest and symmetrical shoulders. His rather large but beautifully turned neck and throat rose straight from the spinal column, firmly supporting a n.o.ble head, everywhere evenly and smoothly developed. His thick, soft brown hair, worn rather short, was inclined to curl, giving to the outlines of the head a still more heroic size. His forehead was large, full, dome shaped and remarkably smooth; the brows, finely penciled and well arched, were matched in color and slenderness by a short moustache which seemed a shade or two darker than the hair. His eyes were large, very expressive, of a soft dark brown, bright and flas.h.i.+ng with emotion, full of pensive light when partially shaded by their thick silken lashes; his smiling glance possessed a curiously fascinating magnetic charm. The attractiveness of the entire face and neck was intensified by the wonderful marble-like smoothness of skin which accompanies that rare, pale olive tint of complexion. A soft Alpine hat and a neat business suit of dark clothing completes this picture of the personal appearance of Fillmore Flagg. Later on we shall learn to know him better by his genial temperament, mental and moral characteristics.
George g.a.y.l.o.r.d was above medium height, slender and pale, slightly inclined to stoop; wore gla.s.ses, and a thick black moustache which entirely concealed his thin lips. His heavy growth of long, coal black hair was naturally bent on falling over his high white forehead. His large black eyes were deeply set under heavy dark brows, more square than arched. His straight nose and smoothly shaven chin were set in line with his high square forehead. While both face and figure suggested the student, a tall silk hat and a square cut, closely b.u.t.toned black frock coat, stamped him at once as a clerical student.
”Tell me, George,” said Fillmore Flagg, ”how have you fared since we parted, and what are your ambitions and plans for the future?”