92 ADVENTURES IN IDEALISM 



cretly day and night and conspiring, threatened to kill 

 my husband and burn his home. They ceased to greet 

 him civilly, or even speak to him unless business ne- 

 cessitated and compelled them to go to his office. 

 Young and old showed the greatest animosity, and 

 although they did not know the meaning of the word 

 "boycott," that was, in fact, what it amounted to. 



In explanation my husband wrote to Mr. Reichow, 

 regarding this phase of the struggle: 



"I am just sick at heart ! It is easy for you in New 

 York to philosophize ; but here I am, face to face with 

 indignities, insults, sour remarks. These last two days 

 here I can never forget. I tremble all over I cannot 

 think my mind is in a whirl. I have had more ex- 

 citement than I can endure." 



A few days later he again wrote: 



"What reasonable human good can you expect from 

 people who are risking their own welfare and that of 

 their families simply because someone has told them 

 that the leases are no good? They want to see the 

 Committee; especially Mr. Jacob Schiff and Mr. Jesse 

 Seligman, in whom they say they 'have the utmost con- 

 fidence/ The most reasonable demand the farmers 

 make is that the time be extended from fifteen to 

 twenty-four years, with no interest whatsoever. I can 

 see where the extension of time might be granted. I 

 often wonder whether they are children or fools, or 

 both together?" 



In another letter, to Mr. Reichow, he says: 



"A reporter sent by Mr. Goodale has come on be- 



