The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-10-19

AnOP. Ahms h@ sAAd, was bne olroct Orue1
Of Mr. Relvason.
The men were naturally indignant, and
muttered and grumblsd loudly. Some
even indulged in appellatives that we're
anything but hattering to the employer
Richard said nothing, but the word
slaves came through his set teeth with
q sharp, hiAsing sound .....r .......
The storm soon blew over, but it left
traces that were never obliterated.
From that hour young Arbyght was the
hero OF the shop, and this incident, though
quite trivial in itself, was but the q begun
ming Of the end. "
MIR. Alvan Relvason was by many con-
adhered a remarkable personAge. He was
nedium-sized and stocky His head was
large, glant-like, and covered with q
forest Of coarse, black hair He wore a
full beard as coarse and black as his hair.
His eyes we're set far in his ponderous
head, and wers black, rsstless and knay-
lshly cunning His complexion was Of q
yellowish dusky cast, that never appeared
clean or clear, His gait was awkward aud
ungainly, and his outer garments, though
generally OF the best material, we're chiefly
noted for conveying the impression of
having been made for somebody else.
4 Mr.. Relvasons head clerk and confiden-
tial adviser, was also person, supposed,
ut least by himself, to be Of some note.
and an he viii enter more or less into the
thread Of our narrative, we will give a
cursory description Of him
/ Mr.. Spindle was also of medium size.
but slender. His head was small, remark
ably 20; his eyes cold and grayish, and q
rr.alx A..
blank monotunous aspect of his sallow
face. The eyes were the most remarkable
thing about this apparently insignificant
individual At times they would appear
as dull and expressiOnless As the optics of
a cat in midday. At such times his eyes
seemed to retreat into his head and hold
communion with his soul, although it was
the general openly expressed opinion Of
the men that Mr.. spindle had no soul, 80
small and tyrannously mean was his ma
ture.
The Saturday following the events mar
rated above was payday, 50 termed "
Mr. Spindle. The men differed from him
very materially concerning the appropri-
ateness Of the term But We anticipate
We will let our readers judge for them
selves
Towards noon Richard noticed Mr..
Spindle going from berth to berth, and
apparently holding a short conversation
with each man. While our hero was still
marvehng over this strange procedure ON
the part Of the usually reserved and con-
ceitedly pOmpous clerk, Mr.. Spindle
stepped into his berth.
Your name lis Arbyght, believe 4"
Your belief Is not unfounded"
All - said the clerk, and his dull eve
began to light up.
Well, Arbyght, how much money do
you want to-day r. and Mr. Spindle open
ed small memorandum book and took
therefrom pencil with which he made a
gentle flourish preparatory to putting down
the amount.
How much money do | want = said
Richard, repeating the question A if
doubtful of its import
! Yes, Arbyyht, how much do you need
to-day r.
Spindle :" said Richard, initiating the
others disregard Of courtesy, ~ want
what If coming to me. need it all Il
We don't generally pay in full except
at the end Of every three months" ans
wered Spindle with frown.
You don'ti"
Have l not said 50 =
oh, yes, you have said 50 but let me
ask you question.
. Certainly e.
Well" pursued Richard, % you pay IN
full only every three months, and We are
to lay out Of our money during that
time r.
Only part Of it, sir.
But, continued the workman, +" you
take my only saleable commodity NOW /,
this is not fair. Have ] not q right to
husband and keep my labor until you are
ready to pay for it !"
You have, SIR you can leave at once
if the arrangement does not suit you
Very well, pay me my wage, and
shall do so Immediately"
Come to the Office this afternoon,
and the clerk left the berth lvid with
rage.
The foreman interposed, and had the
matter amicably arranged. He represent
ed to the employer the great acquisition
that Richard WAS 70 the shop, because Of
his superior workmanship and steady hab-
its, and the unpleasantness ended in
Arbyght being paid in full, and specially
requested to retain his berth.
Richard had not previously seen Nc.
Spindle, although he had frequently heard
Of him, and when he did see him he form
ed an opinion that was neither hattering
nor favorable to the head clerk, for Rich
ard, among his other natural endowments,
was an unconscious physiognomiAt, and
without knowing it, arrived at Q correct
estimate of the character Of MIR RelVa-
sons confidential adviser.
That evening, yonng Arbyght Wend
ed his way in solemn silence towards his
only hoIne-a boarding house he lapsed
into a meditative mood He generally
walked the streets with measured precis-
ion that arrested the attention Of store
keepers and other inhabitants of the streets
through which he passed. His gait was
not slow, nor Yet was il fast it was not
awkward, nor yet was it alto sether stately
His step was firm, solid and indicative u
determined, resolute Will, There was
another popularity apecially noticehle in
| the man When on the streets he seemed
completely wrapped up in his own individ-
uality. His most intimate acquaintance
could, at times, pass and repAss him un-
observed. He appeared obliviOus and
unconscious OF everything except the
ghostly shapes and forms born Of his own
Imagination
On the evening in question his mind Vas
unusually reflective, and among other
things, the condition Of his fellow crafts
men, in different parts Of the country,
arose involuntarily before him, and like a
deadly incubus or frightful spectre, sat
heavily upon his soul. He saw, with the
piercing eye Of the mind body of men
foully imposed upon BY greedy OOrmOrants,
and ignored by society for the crime Of BE-
ing workingmen, and being a workingman
himself the wrongs Of capital and the social
blindness Of the world goaded and cauter-
iEed his sensitive nature TO the very core.
He reached home in an unenviable state d
mind. He ate his supper in silence, and
then went out into the streets again. he
l. H \