The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-05-07
THE TWO NEPHEWS'

age of the old man might be some seventy,
vbila bis companion had certainly not
-e.ched nineteen. Her beautiful, beaming
face. and active, light and upright figure
were in strong contrast with the worn coun
,ensnce and bent frame of the old man
but in his eye, and in the corners of his
mouth, were indications of CAV self.
confidence, which age and sufferinrs had
dan ped but not extinguiseed.
mo use looking any more, Mary" said
he; neither John Meade nor Peter Finch
will be here before dark. Very hard, that
when sick uncle asks his two nephews to
come and see him, they can't come at once.
The duty is simple in the extreme-only to
help me to die, and take what choose to
leave them in nv will Pooh When I was
young man I'd have done it for my uncle
with the utmost celebrity. But the world
getting most heartless."
ooh, sir said Mary.
"And what does 'Oh, Sir 7 mean p said
he "D'ye think | shan't die? l know
better. A little more, and therell be an end |
OF old Billy Colett. He'll have left this
drifty world for the clesner-so the grea,
sorrow and advantage of his objectionable /
relatives Ugh! Give me glass of the
doctors stuff
The girl poured some medicine in glass,
and Collect, after having contemplated it for
a moment with indefinite disgust, managed
to get 1t down.
IL tell you what, Miss Mary Jayne" sad
he, "dont by any means approve of your
oh, SIR and Dear SIR and the rest of it
when I've told you how | hate to be called
sir at sill Why, you could not be more
respectful if you were 8 charity girl and !
beadle in gold laced hat. None of your
ponsense, Mary Jayne, if you please. I've
been your lawful guardian now for six
months, and you ought to know my likings
and dislikiugs,''
''My poor father often told me how you
disliked ceremony" said Mary.
"Your poor father told you quite right"
said Mr.. Collett. Erred. Jayne was man
OF tsIent-a capital fellow His only fault
WAS a natural inability to keep farthing
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 would
do that"
"A kind and generous protector you have
been"
well, don't know; I've tried not to be
brute, but dare say | have been. Don't
speak roughly to you sometimes? Havnt
given you good prudent, worldly, advice
disagreesble, and like guardian? Come,
confess you love this penniless nephew of
mine"
'Penniless, indeed - said Mary.
"Ah, there it is said Mr. Collett. "a md
what business has poor devil of an artist
TO fall in love with my ward And what
business has my ward TO fall in love with a
poor devil of an artist? Bat that's Fred.
Jayne's daughter all over? Haven't two
nephews? Why couldn't you fall in love
with the discreet one-the thriving one ?
Peter Finch-cous,dering he's an attorney
is wo thy young man. He is industri-
our in the extreme, aud attends to other
peoples business, only when he's paid for
1t. He despIses sentiment. and alws looks
to the main chance. But John Meade, nv
dear Mary, may spoil canvas forever and
not grow rich. He's ali for art and truth,
and social reform, and spiritual elevation.
and the Lord knows what. Peter Finch
will ride in BIS csrrisge, and splash poor
John Meade rs he ,rudges 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.. Collett eyed his two nephews with q
queer sor. of smile, whilst they made
speeches of sorrow at the nature of their
visit. At last, stopping them.
Enough, boys; enough. said he, 'let
find some better subject to discuss than the
state of an old mans health. | want to
know a little more about you both. | haven't
seen much OF yeu up to the present time,
and, for anything | know, you may be
rogues or FOOLS
John Meade seemed rather to vince under
this address; but Peter Finch sat calm and
confident.
''ro put case" said Mr.. Collect; "this
morning a poor wretch of a gardener came
here begging. He could get no work, it
seems, aud said he was starving. Well, /
knew something sbou. the fellow, and
believed he only told the truth so / gave
him shilling to get rid of him. Now I'm
afraid did wrong. What reason had for
giving him shilling? What claim had he
on me? What claim had he on ANYBODY?
The value of bis labor in the markat is all
that q workman has right to, and when
his labor is of no value, why, then he must
90 70 the devil, or wherever else he can. En-
Peter? That's my philosophy; what do YOU
think"
81 quite agree with you, sir" said Mr..
Finch; perfectly agree with you. The value
of their labor In the market is all that
laborers can pretend to; all that they should
have. Nothing acts more perniciously than
the absurd extrsneous support called
charity"
Hear, hear" said Mr. Collett. "You
are a clever fellow Peter. Go on, my dear
boy, go on"
What results from charitable aid ?"
continued Peter. 1.-The value of labor is
kept at an unnatural level State charity
is state robbery; private charity is public
wrong"
That's it, Peter" said Mr. Collect.
What do you think of our philosophy,
Jobn?"
II don't like it; | don't believe it !" said
John. "You we're quite right to give the
man a shil ing. I'd have given him shii-
ling myself"
"You would, would you 2" said Mr.. Col
lett. You're very generous with your shIl
ings Would you fly in the face Of orthodox
political economy, you Vandal ?"
Yes said John; as the Vsndals flew in
the face of Rome, aud destroyed what had
become falsehood and "A nuisance
poor John said Mr.. Collect I'VE shall
never make anything of him, Peter. Really,
we'd better talk of something else. John
tell us all about the last new novel
They conversed on various topics, until
the arrival of the invslids early bed time
parted uncle and nephews for the night
Mary Jayne seized an opportunity, the
next morning after breakfast, to speak with
John Meade alone.
John said she. "do think more OF
your own interest-of our interest What
occasion for you to be 80 violent last night,
and contradict Mr.. Collett SO shockingiy?
saw Peter Finch laughing to himself
never be married !"
Well Mary dear, I'll do nv best" said
John 1T was that confunded Peter, with
his chain of iron maxims, that made me f1y