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.