SOME HUMAN VAMPIRES. 173 



winging along the highway of the stream and 

 pass within striking distance? He is a pirate 

 watching for his prey. So are all animal forms 

 which lurk for the passing of a weaker kinsman. 

 In the towns and great cities of to-day many 

 humans also assume the role of pirates, and 

 live upon those weaker brethren, whom they 

 may lure into their lairs. Creating nothing 

 themselves, but preying ever upon those who do 

 create upon the farmers who make the soil to 

 yield its food for all mankind upon the work- 

 ingmen who cause the fiber, the wood or iron, to 

 assume many and useful forms, these human 

 pirates prey. They give little or nothing in 

 return for that which they take. The less they 

 have to give the better are they satisfied. Such 

 form of piracy is far from my liking. Rather 

 would I be here with the brunella showering 

 its charms upon me as it clings to the verge of 

 the overhanging bank of this woodland stream; 

 here where piracy exists only among the lowly 

 of nature's creatures; where politics, twin 

 brother to piracy, is unknown ; where peace 

 reigns supreme and quietness is its boon com- 

 panion. 



