Part 1

Produced by Fritz Ohrenschall, Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

The Marx He Knew

The Marx He Knew

BY JOHN SPARGO

Author of "The Bitter Cry of the Children," "Socialism, A Summary and Interpretation of Socialist Principles," "The Common Sense of Socialism," "Karl Marx: His Life and Work," Etc., Etc., Etc.

CHICAGO CHARLES H. KERR & COMPANY 1909

Copyright, 1909

BY CHARLES H. KERR & COMPANY

TO MADAME LAURA LAFARGUE DAUGHTER OF KARL MARX

List of Illustrations

KARL MARX, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH Frontispiece

FACING PAGE

HIS BIRTHPLACE AT TRIER, FROM AN OLD PRINT 10

JOHANNA BERTHA JULIE VON WESTPHALEN, FROM A PAINTING FROM LIFE 19

FREDERICK ENGELS, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH 32

FERDINAND LASSALLE, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH 47

THE MARX FAMILY GRAVE, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH 83

THE MARX HE KNEW

The pale, yellow light of the waning day streamed through the dusty window panes of the little cigar shop, and across the bench where old Hans Fritzsche worked and hummed the melody of Der Freiheit the while.

The Young Comrade who sat in the corner upon a three-legged stool seemed not to hear the humming. His eyes were fixed upon a large photograph of a man which hung in a massive oak frame above the bench where Old Hans rolled cigars into shape. The photograph was old and faded, and the written inscription beneath it was scarcely legible. The gaze of the Young Comrade was wistful and reverent.

"Tell me about him, Hans," he said at last.

Old Hans stopped humming and looked at the Young Comrade. Then his eyes wandered to the portrait and rested upon it in a gaze that was likewise full of tender reverence.

Neither spoke again for several seconds and only the monotonous ticking of the clock upon the wall broke the oppressive silence.

"Ach! he was a wonderful man, my comrade," said Old Hans at length.

"Yes, yes, he was a wonderful man--one of the most wonderful men that ever lived," responded the Young Comrade in a voice that was vibrant with religious enthusiasm.

Both were silent again for a moment and then the Young Comrade continued: "Yes, Marx was a wonderful man, Hans. And you knew him--saw him smile--heard him speak--clasped his hand--called him comrade and friend!"

"Aye, many times, many times," answered Old Hans, nodding. "Hundreds of times did we smoke and drink together--me and him."

"Ah, that was a glorious privilege, Hans," said the Young Comrade fervently. "To hear him speak and touch his hand--the hand that wrote such great truths for the poor working people--I would have gladly died, Hans. Why, even when I touch your hand now, and think that it held his hand so often, I feel big--strong--inspired."