The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1855-07-19

was a man OF talent-a capital fellow
His only fault was a natural inability tC
keep a fartbing in his pocket. Poor
Fred |! he loved me-I'm sure he did
he bequeathed me his only child-and
it isn't every friend that would do that. u
&" a kind and generous protector you
have been"
"Well, | don't know I've tried not
to be a brute, but / dare say l have
been. Don't | speak roughly to you,
sometimes Haven't given you good,
prudent worldly advice about John
Meade, and made myself quite disagree
able, and like guardian Come, con-
fess you love this penniless nephew of
mine"
" Penniless indeed !" said Mary.
"Ah, there it is :" said Mr. Collett.
" And what business has a poor devil
of an artist to fall in love with my ward /;
And what business has my ward to fall
in love with poor devil of an artist :
But that's Fred Sutton's daughter all
over Haven't two nephews Why
couldn't you fall in love withlthe discreet
one-the thriving one Peter Finch
considering he's an attorneys worthy
young man. He's industrious in the
extreme, and attends to other pconle's
business only when he's paid for it. He
despises sentiment, and always looks to
the main chance. But John Meade,
my dear Mary, may spoil canvas for
ever and not grow rich. He's all for
art, and truth, and social reform, and
spiritual elevation, and the Lord knows
what. Peter Finch will ride in his car
riage, and splash poor John Meade as
he trudges on foot !"
The harangue was here interrupted
by ring at the gate, and Mr.. Peter
Finch was announced. He had scarcely
taken his seat when another pull at the
bell was heard, and Mr.. John Meade
was announced.
Mr. Collctt eyed his two nephews
with queer sort Of smile, while they
made speeches expressive of sorrow at
the nature of their visit. At last, stop
ping them,
=" Enough, boys, enough !" said he.
" Let US find some better subject to dis
cuss than the state of an old mans
health. | want to know n little more
about you both, | haven't seen much
of you up to the present time, and, for
anything that know, you may be rogues
or FOOLS"
John Meade seemed rather to vince
under this address but Peter Finch sat
calm and confident.
"To put case now," said Mr.. Col
let: Z" this morning poor wretch of a
gardener came begging here. He could
get no work, it seems, and said he must
starve. Well, knew something about
the fellow, and | believe he told the
truth; so gave him shilling to get
rid of him. Now, Pm afraid | did
wrong What reason had | for giving
him shilling What claim had he on
me' What claim had he on any body p
The value of his labor in the market is
all that working man has right to
and when his labor is of no value, why
then he must 60 to the devil or whore
ever else he can. That's my philoso-
do you think ?" !
" quite agree with you, sir" said
Mr.. Finch |; perfectly agree with you.
The value of his labor in the market is
all that working man has a right to
all that they should have. Nothing acts
more perniciousl y than the absurd .ex-
trancous support called charity"
" Hear, hear 20 said Mr.. Colett
g You're a clever fellow, Peter. GO
On, my dear boy, 90 on ="
" What results from charitable aid 20
continued Peter. " "The value of labor
is kept at an unnatural level. State
charity is state robbery private charity
s public wrong"
That's it, Peter!' said Mr.. Collet
What do you think Of cur philosophy,
John y
/ don't like it / don't believe il,
aid John. "You we're quite right TO
give the man shilling; I'd have given
aim shilling myself