The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-11-29

Is Kept at an unnatural level. State
charity is state robbery; private charity
is public wrong
THAT'S it, Peter ~ said Mr.. Collect.
II don't believe it," said John. "You
We're quite right to give the man q shil-
ling; I'd have given him shilling
myself
"0h! you would-would your said
Mr.. Collect. You're very generous
with your shillings. Would you fly in
the face Of all orthodox political econo-
my, YOU Nandal ~
Yes" said john, "as the Vandals
flew III the face of Rome, and destroyed
what had become a falsehood and a
nuisance
8 Poor John p said Mr.. Collett. awe
shall never make anything of him,
Peter. Really, we'd better talk about
something else. John, tell rs all about
the last new novel,
until the arrival of the invalid's early
bedtime parted the uncle and the neph-
ews for the night.
Mary Sutton seized an opportunity,
the next morning, after breakfast, to
speak with John Meade alone.
john" said she, 9 do think more of
your own interest-of our Interest,"
What occasion for you to be so violent
last night, and contradict Mr.. Collect SO
shockingly? saw Peter French laugh
ing to himself. John, you must be more
CAREFUL or we shall never be married"
We'll, Mary, I'll do my best" said
John. % 1t was that confounded Peter,
with his chain of iron maXims, that
made me fly out. Pm not an iceberg,
Mary"
"Thank heaven, you're mott said
Mary, "but an iceberg floats-think of
that, John. Remember, every time
you offend Mr.. Collect, you please Mr..
Finch"
$50 do l." said John. " Yes, FL re-
member that"
"If you would only try to be a little
mean and hard-hearted, said Mary !;
"just a little to begin with. You would
only stoop to conquer"
May l gain my deserts then! said
John. care you not to be my loving
wife, Mary? Are you not to sit at needle
work in my studio, whilst | paint my
great historical picture? How can this
come to pass if Mr.. Collect will do moth
ing for us?"
f." But here's our friend Peter Finch
COHlluS III UlIC Sdlc iloill Hio WtIiN'
leave you together" And SO saying She
withdrew.
What, Meade!" said Peter as he
entered, 'skulking indoors of a fine
morning like this; I've been through all
the village. Not an ugly place, but
wants looking after sadly. Roadsshame-
fully muddy; pigs allowed to walk on
the footpath -
Dreadful !" exclaimed John.
say-you came out pretty strong
last night" said Peter. "Quite defed
the old man. But like your spirit"
g have no doubt" thought John:
ooh, when l was youth thought a
little that way myself" said Peter. "But
the world-the world, my dear sir, soon
cures us of all romantic notions. | re-
greet, of course, to see people miserable ;
but what's the use of regretting? It's no
part of the business of the Superior class
to interfere with the laws of supply and
demand. Poor people must be miserable.
What can't be cured must be endured"
Exactly 500 said John.
Mr.. Collet this day was too i'll to leave
his bed. About noon he requested to see
them in his bed room. They found him
propped up in pillows, very weak, but
in good spirits as usual.
We'll, DOyS," Sald ne, mere ain
you see, brought to anchor at last. The
doctor will be here soon. | suppose to
shake his head and write receipts. All
humbug, my boys! Patients can do as
we'll for themselves, Ibelieve, as doctors
can do for them; they're all in the dark
together-the only difference is that pa
tients grope in the English and the doc
tors in the Latin"
"You are too skeptical," said John
Meade.
" Pooh ~ said Mr.. Collett, "let us
change the subject. want your service,
Peter and John, on a matter that con-
Germs your interests. Pm going to make
my will to-day-and don't know how
to act about your cousin, Emma Briggs.
Emma disgraced us by marrying an oil
man."
can oil man, exclaimed John.
ga vulgar, shocking oil MANI said
Mr.. Collect, "a wretch who not only
sold oil, but soap, candles, turpentine,
black lead, and birch brooms. 1t was a
dreadful blow to the family. Her poor
grandfather never got over it. Well,
Briggs, the Oil man died last week, and
| his widow has written to me asking for