In course of time these shrewd schemers, who are known as monopolists, gathered this liquid air into large tanks and warehouses, and put an exorbitant price upon it.  The business flourished greatly because everybody was daily in need of liquid air.

The many sources of air-supply were guarded and men were employed to carry the liquid from the raw springs to the private tanks of the monopolists.  Not long after this, when the monopolists saw that they controlled all the liquid air of the country, they had rigid laws passed forbidding the importation of air from any other country.  Then when all preliminaries were arranged, the magnates raised the price of their commodity.

The burden fell most heavily on the persons of limited means, for some were compelled to give half of their earnings for air.

The monopolists grew richer and richer, while the poor became still poorer, until a cry went up for cheaper living.  Then the generous-hearted magnates decided to build new and larger storehouses, thus giving employment to the large army of impoverished workmen.  Thus did the poor feel very grateful for the privilege of earning enough to satisfy their hungry stomachs.

With the larger storehouses now in operation the magnates were enabled to conduct this air business on a scale more economical, and so it resulted that the profits of their business were constantly increasing.

Many who were unable to work became sorely distressed insomuch that some died raving for liquid air.  Others were more fortunate and were helped by charitably inclined citizens.  When a few poor comrades clubbed together and contributed out of their mites, then the magnates sold air, but if the sufferers had no money, they could have no air.

A growing discontent possessed the people.  They appealed to the legislative bodies, but the magnates had grown so immensely wealthy that they controlled all the law-making assemblies and gave the members air free of charge, an act of kindness indeed.

So the law turned a deaf ear to the cries of the people and many riots followed.  But these were all quelled by the standing army which was also supplied with free air for the good service they were capable of rendering to the monopolists.

The multitude of laboring people could do as they chose, that is, work like slaves and live, or refuse to tolerate the monopoly and die.

[Illustration:  Monopolizing Liquid Air on Airess.]

Many were the pitiful scenes witnessed in all parts of the land.  Men, women and children gathered around one or another of the large tanks brimming full of the life sustaining liquid.  It was heart-breaking to see children with half-opened mouths dying for air.  Of course none of the magnates were within hearing or seeing distance.  The tanks were in charge of underlings who were bound to give no air except for the exorbitant market price.

This state of affairs continued for many generations, nor did relief come until one named Agitator went forth strongly set in his convictions.  He was a natural-born orator, a lover of justice, one who believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.