Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-08-12
Stlttt s'turp.
UNDER THE WALL.

When all hands in the factory of the
Brothers Ullnan. carpet weavers. had
been paid of on Saturday night, George
Ullman. who always paid the men him
self, gave them his usual piece Of advice ::
Don't 20 to the ale-house or to the GIN
shop with your money. my good fellows
Take it straight to your wives. That's the
way to have happy homes. and lay 10y r
ltlIe for old age"
Ii George Ullham cou d have seen bet.
ter with those gold.framed speciacles Of
his. perhaps he would have felt that his
words were not quite rs acceptable as they
should have been. One or two. mostly
men from the old countries, seemed TO
think the advice good, and to take it all
right. rs coming from ".he MASTER but
the mass scowIed and looked coutemptu-
Gus.
Let him pay Us more before he tells US
how To spend it," muttered one. as the
dusty crowd filed out of the factory door.
"lt's we'll for such as he to talk. He goes
home to his champaign and port-after
his grand dinner-and we mustn't have 4
glass of ale if he's to be minded"
Take il home to our wives, eh p
growled a second workman, houIishinS u
bank note Scornlully in the air Me aud
my seven is to live on that there for
week. Why, | wouldn't have the face II
take it home if didn't stop al old Mikes
first"
They pay what they promise. John, ;
said . tall. we'll built young fellow. "And
you can Just live ii yon lose no days. But
l won't be dictated TO. I'm not old Uil
mans skve. He's no right 10 tell us what
10 10 We're frse American citizens. and
because he has little more money. he
needn't set up for law. giver They
bring it over from their coniounded mon.
arches, boys, this aristocratic feeling. 1t
ought TO be crushed down.
But he's right. alter ALL" muttered u
sober. quiet. middle aged man. "Old
Mike dent help you any"
"Righ; or wrong. wont be dictated
to" said the first speaker. Here's for
Mikes" and he strobe away. followed by
the best half Of his fellow workmen.
II was bustery night-bIeak with the
first chill of autumn the leaves that had
been canopy overhead were now car
pct under foot.
viii Tilden, striding ahead of the pro
eession. noticed the red and yellow layers.
and his Yankee mind jumped AT once 10 a
new pattern for carpet to be woven in
the looms now taking their Sabbath rest
under the stone factory walls. Red and
+ yellow leaves with the brown twigs
amongst them, and little dull green
moss. The rest saw only dead leaves
1t seemed pity that the one who saw
more should be leading them tavenward.
Perhaps. though, they needed no lead
\ ing. Old Mike knew well how 10 make
his drinking house-'Old Mikes Rancho,
he dubbed il. in gilt letters on board
over the door-a tempting place for work
ing men. The floor was SO white. the
glasses so bright, the stove jetty, and al.
ready holding in its heart ruby blaze
iolotaste of the glowing winter fire. Gay
pictures on the wall, comfortable seats.
and Mrs. Mike Flsherty, in a blaze OF cap
ribbons, behind the counter.
At home would have been dirty room,
cracked tea.cups. empty flour barrel. and
a dingy wife, and crying children in many
cases. Not in Wilt Tilden's for he was
not even married. but then even he was no.
lodged stylishly, as you may guess, even
though he was the best workman at Ull-
mans.
Yes. Mikes" was a tempting place,
beyond all doubt.
Convenient, tOo-only stiip OF such
bare, story land us always environs a